Vanilla Ice fans rejoice, because Ford has brought the ultimate Mustang 5.0 to the UK for you to roll in. The Mustang Mach 1 has a 5.0-litre V8 with 454bhp and 529Nm which drives the rear wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox. This is a proper American muscle car, make no mistake.
We’ve never had a Mach 1 in the UK before, a sobriquet that signifies the most hardcore version of the Mustang. It’s not all about power either, with Ford claiming that this is “the best handling production Mustang ever offered to customers in Europe.
“The original Mach 1 delivered the ultimate in production Mustang performance and proved itself with success in motorsport,” said Matthias Tonn, in charge of developing the European Mach 1. “The new Mach 1 is the most capable Mustang ever to reach Europe, with track-ready ability and a unique style that is more than worthy of wearing such a legendary badge.”
The manual gearbox has a rev-matching system which blips the throttle on downshifts for the smoothest changes imaginable – a feature that replicates the ‘heel and toe’ technique that race drivers use and which prevents the car being unsettled at high speed by a clumsy gear change shunting through the drivetrain. It’s a bit unnecessary for a trip to TK Maxx but it’s awesome all the same. A 10-speed – yep, that’s ten ratios – automatic gearbox is a no cost option, it too tuned specifically for the Mach 1.
The 5.0-litre engine has been fettled for high-revving character, including an Open Air Induction system that helps make the car sound thunderous all the way to a 7500rpm redline. The car has an active exhaust too, finished off by quad wide bore tailpipes.
Aerodynamic changes include a front end redesigned almost entirely to improve both engine cooling and downforce, as compared to a standard Mustang, while around the back the diffuser is shared with the US-market Shelby Mustang GT500. Between those changes and a new spoiler, the Mach 1 generates 22% more downforce than a regular mustang, which improves both cornering grip and high-speed stability.
The suspension, which uses adjustable magnetic dampers, is fettled so that it’s more suitable to track work while not affecting comfort too negatively. The dampers constantly adjust their rates based on the road conditions and driving style. The brakes are uprated, housed in new 19-inch alloy wheels that are half an inch wider than a normal Mustang’s and wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tyres.
Visually the most prominent difference is the Mach 1 badge on the tailgate, but the paintwork is unique to the model, available in various colour combinations including grey with black and orange accenting, and red with yellow and black accenting. Regardless, the grille is finished in gloss black, the sides are striped and the bonnet bulge is a contrasting colour.
Inside, the Mach 1 gets leather sports seats with accenting, a unique dashboard badge including the particular car’s build number, aluminium detailing and a specific start up display for the digital instrument panel.
No word on process yet but the order books open early next year. Bank on this being the first Mustang to exceed the £50,000 mark though.
Keyword: Ford Mustang Mach 1 muscle car comes to the UK