Ford Mustang Mach 1 confirmed for Australia

The Ford Mustang is the most popular sports car in the country and the latest version headed to our shores brings even more heat.

2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1.

Aussie muscle car fans get ready to start your engines.

Ford has announced the limited edition Mustang Mach 1 is set to arrive in local showrooms next year, but you’ll need to be quick as only 700 are due to hit our shores.

Only 700 of the Ford Mustang Mach 1 will be sold in Australia.

The Mach 1 is built as a tribute to a 1969 classic muscle car with the same name and brings some track-focused performance upgrades aimed at bridging the gap between the regular V8 Mustang GT and the high-performance Shelby versions sold in America.

Ford’s original Mach 1 was built to honour Chuck Yaeger’s historic flight when he became the first pilot to break the speed of sound.

And Ford is bringing the heat accordingly.

A cue ball topped gear shift adds to the Mustang’s performance flavour.

Out comes the standard V8 making 339kW/556Nm, and in comes the uprated V8 from the special edition Mustang Bullitt producing 358kW and 570Nm.

In sheer numbers the Mach 1 falls behind the Herrod performance tuned Mustang R-Spec, which adds a supercharger to boost outputs to in excess of 500kW and 800Nm according to similar tunes available in the US.

Ford is also bringing in a stronger six-speed manual from the Shelby GT350 and a reworked 10-speed auto to improve performance.

The Mach 1 borrows several performance parts from the Shelby GT350.

Further signs of the Mach 1’s performance focus is the addition of aerodynamic features and new Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres to improve grip.

Inside the Mach 1 is kitted out with sport seats and a digital dash along with the same cue ball-topped gear shifter as the Bullitt Mustang. There will plenty of Mach 1 badging and details throughout.

Ford Australia has signed on Supercars racer Rick Kelly as the Mach 1 ambassador.

“It’s a stunning looking vehicle, but above all it really is a Mustang made for enthusiasts — it is all about how it drives around a track, which is why I’m so pleased to be working on this project with Ford,” said Kelly.

Ford’s digital dash has a racing edge to it.

The news of the Mach 1’s local arrival comes just in time for the Bathurst 1000, which is due to run this weekend and has been a happy hunting ground for the Ford Mustangs in recent years.

Full local specifications and pricing will be announced closer to the Mach 1’s launch date.