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RETURN OF THE MACH! LIMITED-EDITION MACH 1 IS PINNACLE OF MUSTANG 5.0-LITRE V8 STYLE AND PERFORMANCE
Date: 18 Jun 2020 |
Author Type: Press Release |
Author: Ford South Africa |
Source: Ford South Africa |
- 480
horsepower limited-edition Mach 1 sets a new standard of 5.0-litre V8
track-ready performance in the Mustang lineup while celebrating original
model’s aggressive aerodynamic and handling enhancements
- Six-speed
manual transmission from Ford Performance and an available 10-speed automatic transmission provides capability on and off the track; available Handling The package delivers even more on-track
- Exterior
styling cues include a new front fascia and grilles for both improved cooling
and aerodynamics; low-gloss magnetic and black accents as well as hood and
side-body stripes with reflective surfaces celebrate Mach 1 heritage dating
back more than five decades
PRETORIA,
South Africa,
17 June 2020 – After a 17-year
hiatus, the all-new Mustang Mach 1 fastback coupe makes its world premiere –
becoming the modern pinnacle of style, handling and 5.0-litre V-8 pony car
performance.
“Bold styling, great
acceleration and speed – Mach 1 says it all,” said Jim Farley, Ford’s chief
operating officer. “This is one of those special Mustangs that truly brings a
smile to the faces of our owners, enthusiasts and fans – including me – so there’s
never been a better time to bring back Mach 1 and have it go global too.”
Ford’s quest for speed
began with Henry Ford in 1901 and the company’s roots within aerospace only
furthered its desire to deliver quicker, faster and more powerful vehicles.
Calling back Chuck Yeager’s feat becoming the first to break the sound barrier
– Mach 1 – Ford delivered its original Mach 1 in 1969, setting 295 speed and
endurance records in its first model year at the Bonneville Salt Flats. Thanks
to its added handling capability, Mach 1 teams earned back-to-back SCCA
Manufacturer’s Rally Championships in 1969 and 1970.
Like the original, the
all-new Mach 1 bridges the gap between Mustang GT and Shelby® models,
delivering V-8 power, unique functional aerodynamic enhancements,
competition-capable suspension upgrades and a driver-focused cockpit.
All-new Mach 1 muscle
Packing a specially
calibrated 5.0-litre V8 engine that has a projected 480 horsepower at 7,000 rpm
and 420 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,600 rpm, Mach 1 is a fitting celebration of a
nameplate born more than 50 years ago.
Integrated into the
Mach 1 engine are revised Shelby GT350 components including the intake
manifold, oil filter adapter and engine oil cooler, increasing engine oil cooling
capability by 50 percent.
The all-new version
leans on decades of Ford Performance learnings, wearing a uniquely crafted
front end for aerodynamic efficiency and a host of Ford Performance parts that
help celebrate its iconic heritage. Mach 1 comes standard with a Tremec™ 3160
6-speed manual transmission from the Shelby GT350. For the first time, Ford has
outfitted the system with rev-matching and the transmission is paired with the
GT350 oil cooler system and Mustang GT’s twin-disc clutch and short-throw
shifter.
Drivers can also opt
for an available 10-speed SelectShift™ automatic transmission with an upgraded
torque converter and unique calibration that enables optimizing torque
capability, shift character and overall enhanced performance. A second
air-to-oil cooler increases cooling capacity by 75 percent.
Recapturing Mach 1 style
The all-new Mach 1’s
grille harkens back to the original with a deep 3-D mesh, shark-nosed section
and faux lamp elements. Flanking the fascia are new side grilles below each
turn signal lamp. A low-gloss Magnetic pony badge is centered on the grille.
Low-gloss magnetic and black accents throughout the vehicle provide a premium
look while staying true to Mach 1’s bold, muscular heritage, including
low-gloss Magnetic mirror caps and rear spoiler.
New 19-inch x
9.5-inch, and 19-inch x 10-inch five-spoke Tarnished Dark-painted aluminium
wheels are a modern version of the classic Magnum 500 style wheels. Handling
Package vehicles come standard with unique, wider 19-inch x 10.5-inch front,
and 19-inch x 11-inch rear Tarnished Dark-painted aluminium wheels.
The Handling
Package – exclusively available with the Tremec™ 3160 6-speed manual
transmission – also includes a larger unique higher downforce front splitter,
new front wheel lip mouldings, and a low-gloss Magnetic swing spoiler with a
Gurney flap and rear tire spats from Shelby GT500.
Satin Black side
and hood stripes are included with reflective accent stripes in any of three
colors: Red, White and Orange (Appearance Package only). Exterior colour options
include the Mach 1 exclusive Fighter Jet Gray (Appearance Package only), as
well as Iconic Silver, Shadow Black, Oxford White, Velocity Blue, Twister
Orange, Race Red and Grabber Yellow.
The interior features a
unique Dark Spindrift instrument panel with aluminium 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.
Mach 1: Built to perform
The Mach 1 engineering
and design teams worked in tandem to develop a front end unique to the Mach 1 persona
that also meets the high aerodynamic demands of the engine, transmission and
braking systems.
A new two-piece upper
grille, lower grille and valance, and new side grilles, all contribute to Mach
1’s signature look and more demanding aero and cooling performance
requirements.
A front splitter
optimized to the fascia shape improves track performance and provides a more
aggressive appearance, while a matched rear spoiler works in concert to create
ideal lift balance. Mach 1 features 22 percent more downforce than a Mustang GT
with Performance Pack Level 1 and the downforce improvement jumps to
approximately 150 percent with the Handling Package.
To enhance track
endurance, the team added 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.
A new underbelly
pan, the vehicle’s most aerodynamically important upgrade, extends 20 inches
further rearward than on a Mustang GT Performance Pack to smooth and increase
the airflow under the front of the car. Large underwing features in the belly
pan increase downforce, while special belly pan airfoils in the brake cooling
ramps improve downforce and assist the brake cooling flow – a first for
Mustang.
To improve ride and
handling, Mach 1 features 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, 9.5-inch/10-inch split
fitment wheels with Michelin PS4 tires, a rear subframe with stiffer bushings
and a rear toe-link from Shelby GT500.
Horsepower and
torque ratings based on premium fuel per SAE J1349® standard.