A POV Look at the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach1
Another upgrade choice for Mustang buyers.
Car
The Mustang GT has always been a popular choice for buyers who seek a strong V-8 engine under the hood, but this year we can also get the new Mach1. It has lots of performance upgrades that will make pony car followers drool.
Text and photos by Chad Haire
Equipment
The Mach1 package has huge Brembo brakes, a sturdier front end, a heavy-duty cooling system, sway bars, a rear sub frame from the rugged GT350 Mustang, stiffer bushings, open air induction, and racing stripes so everyone knows this car means business. The Magneride adjustable suspension found on the GT is included as well.
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Equipment #2
A heavy-duty Torsen rear differential with a 3:73 ratio is issued with a manual transmission. Order the automatic, and we get the 3:55 ratio instead.
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Engine
Hidden under all that plumbing is Fords coveted 5.0 liter V-8. Horsepower jumps from 460 to 480 on the Mach1. Fuel economy is listed at 15/23 mpg.
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Gearbox
A 6-speed manual transmission is standard. It is not the unit found in a GT, but that heavy-duty Temic from the GT350, and can take a beating. We had the optional 10-speed automatic instead. It is easier to live with but will set you back $1,595. The manual parking brake lever located behind the shifter takes up room but is still better than the troublesome electronic brakes found on other cars.
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Shifter
Choosing gears manually can be done with these paddle shifters, but with 10 speeds to run through, it can give your fingers a good workout.
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Exhaust
The amount of sound flowing from the exhaust tips can be controlled by a switch in the cabin. There are four modes to pick from; Normal, Sport, Track, and Quiet.
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Styling
When viewed from the front, it is obvious this is a serious road machine. With its powerful acceleration, it's not likely you will be seeing too many of these in your rear view mirror!
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Performance
On good pavement a quick 0-60 time of just over 4 seconds can be obtained. Due to the poor roads we were on, a best time of 4.9 seconds was observed due to lack of traction. But a large patch of rubber was laid all along the way, impressing bystanders!
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POV
In daily commuting, the Mach1 is not as smooth as the tamer GT, but still comfortable enough for daily trips. Real world fuel economy was 14/22 mpg. The small 16 gallon gas tank doesn't give much driving range if driven hard, which has always been a Mustang trait.
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Price
The Mach1 offers more performance over the GT. As can be seen, the upgrades are not cheap, with our car reaching near $60K. This is a big jump from the base Mustang with the 2.3 liter four-cylinder EcoBoost at $27,100!
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Rear View
The Mach1 will be a welcome addition for those who want more power over the GT or base turbo four Mustangs.
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For help with service and mods on your Mustang, visit the how-to section of our sister site MustangForums.com