Mustang Mach 1 Returns With a Slew of Shelby Parts

Reborn Again

It's been 17 years since we last saw the last Mustang Mach 1 in the New Edge generation of Ford's venerable pony car. And now, that iconic nameplate is finally returning for the 2021 model year. But instead of just building some drag strip bruiser, Ford has transformed the new Mach 1 into more of a track dominating machine equipped with a slew of goodies from its proverbial parts bin.

Photos: Ford

Track Capable

Ford calls the new Mach 1 "the most track-capable 5.0-liter Mustang ever," and it all starts under the hood with a naturally-aspirated 5.0-liter Coyote V8 that produces 480 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 420 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,600 rpm. The engine features a host of revised Shelby GT350 components including the intake manifold, oil filter adapter, and engine oil cooler, which increases engine oil cooling capability by 50 percent.

Photos: Ford

>>Join the conversation about the new Mach 1 right here in the Mustang Source Forum!

Shift Points

That engine is backed up by the Tremec 3160 6-speed manual transmission from the Shelby GT350, which is equipped with rev-matching, the GT350 oil cooler system, and the Mustang GT’s twin-disc clutch and a short-throw shifter. Buyers can also opt for Ford's 10-speed SelectShift automatic transmission with an upgraded torque converter and unique calibration that enables optimized torque capability, shift character, and overall enhanced performance. A second air-to-oil cooler increases cooling capacity by 75 percent.

Photos: Ford

>>Join the conversation about the new Mach 1 right here in the Mustang Source Forum!

Styling Updates

The Mach 1 is also quite distinctively styled, thanks to a new grille with deep 3-D mesh, a shark-nosed section, and faux lamp elements. The front also features new side gills, a low-gloss Magnetic pony badge, and various other trim pieces, and either 19-inch x 9.5-inch and 19-inch x 10-inch five-spoke Tarnished Dark-painted aluminum wheels or wider 19-inch x 10.5-inch front and 19-inch x 11-inch rear Tarnished Dark-painted aluminum wheels for the Handling Package.

Photos: Ford

>>Join the conversation about the new Mach 1 right here in the Mustang Source Forum!

Interior Changes

The interior features a unique Dark Spindrift instrument panel with aluminum accents. Ebony seats with an accent stripe hint at Mach 1 heritage in cars equipped with a leather interior. Other interior upgrades include new door sill plates, an updated splash screen on the 12.3-inch all-LCD instrument cluster, a white cue ball shift knob, and engraved badging that displays the vehicle’s unique chassis number.

Photos: Ford

>>Join the conversation about the new Mach 1 right here in the Mustang Source Forum!

Suspension Goodies

The meat and potatoes of the new Mach 1, however, lie underneath the car. There you'll find a slew of goodies including the latest MagneRide calibration, a stiffer steering I-shaft, new EPAS calibration, stiffer sway bars and front springs, a brake booster from the Mustang GT Performance Pack Level 2, a rear subframe with stiffer bushings and a rear toe-link from Shelby GT500, a new underbelly pan, and two side heat exchangers – one to cool engine oil, the other transmission oil, as well as a rear axle cooling system and lower diffuser from Shelby GT500.

Photos: Ford

>>Join the conversation about the new Mach 1 right here in the Mustang Source Forum!

Paper Champ

Add it all up, and you've got one seriously cool-looking Mustang with major track chops. The new Mach 1 certainly looks like a fantastic driver on paper, and we can't wait to get one out on the road and push it to its limits.

Photos: Ford

>>Join the conversation about the new Mach 1 right here in the Mustang Source Forum!

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