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After years of rumors suggesting it was about to happen, last month, Ford finally announced it was bringing back the Mustang Mach 1 nameplate — an exciting development that nevertheless means the newest ‘Stang will be endlessly be confused with the now-extant Mustang Mach E. And while that initial announcement didn’t pull back the curtain very far on the Mach 1, Ford has just revealed the details — and the pictures — about its latest muscle car.
The Mach 1 is what Ford calls “the bridge Mustang.” It sits between the volume-minded Mustang GT and the more expensive, track-oriented Shelby Mustangs. It uses the engine from the former and incorporates race-oriented parts and features from the latter. It scores some spectacular retro-themed styling, with black satin hood and side stripes highlighting its bold features. (One piece of bad news, though: like the last Mach 1 Mustang, which launched in 2003, the new Mach 1 will replace the beloved Bullitt version.)
While it packs a revised version of the 5.0-liter V8, it won’t hit the 500 horsepower mark. The Mach 1 engine has the same power output — 480 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque — as the outgoing Bullitt. (That said, Ford claims this Mach 1 engine has been “specially calibrated” and is not identical to the McQueen-themed car’s motor.) With its new front-end design, Ford says it will be the most track-capable 5.0-liter Mustang it has produced — behind only the Shelbys and their 5.2-liter engines.
Ford will offer Mach 1 buyers a choice of transmissions: either the six-speed manual from the Shelby GT 350 or a 10-speed automatic. That’s somewhat unexpected; the Bullitt, after all, only came with a stick. Buyers will still need to choose the manual transmission to buy the Handling Package upgrade, however.
The Mach 1 should be the ultimate option for most buyers who want a cool-looking Mustang that can take on a track but is still comfortable enough to drive to work. Ford says the Mach 1 will hit dealers in spring 2021; the company did not mention pricing, though we’d bet the Mach 1 will land somewhere between the Bullitt’s $47,705 base price and the mental barrier that is $50,000.
