Ford will revive one of the most legendary nameplates in its history this year, as the Detroit automaker is planning a new top tier for its naturally aspirated, 5.0-liter V8 Mustang – the 2021 Mustang Mach 1.
FoMoCo isn’t releasing any details just yet, but we can see that the camouflaged version in the photos sports quad exhaust pipes, massive Brembo brakes behind 19-inch wheels, Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires and a honeycomb grille. That grille also has two round air inlets, reminiscent of the extra lights of the original Mach 1.
The base Mustang GT makes 460hp, but seeing as the Bullitt is being discontinued at the end of this year, look for the Mach 1 to feature that car’s 480hp version of the 5.0-liter, if not something with more power. As Ford claims the Mach 1 will be ‘the most track-ready 5.0-liter Mustang ever’, it will likely feature some upgrades in the suspension, too.
The Mach 1 name first appeared in 1969, again as the top performer of the base V8s, slotting in just under the Shelby and Boss variants and featuring a slightly improved suspension. The name also creeped over to the Mustang II (gasp!) in 1974 before being discontinued in 1978. It made one final appearance for 2003 and ’04, powered by a 302hp, 4.6-liter V8.
As the Shelby GT350 is also being discontinued this year, only the Shelby GT500, with its 760-hp, 5.2-litre supercharged V8, will overshadow the Mach 1 in the Mustang lineup. That’s a mighty big shadow indeed.
*Images courtesy of Ford Motor Company and David Newhardt/Mustang – Forty Years
