The sixth-generation Ford Mustang is entering its seventh year, and there’s plenty that awaits you in showrooms if you haven’t pulled the trigger yet.
While the big news is the arrival of the Mustang Mach-E battery-electric crossover SUV, more traditional muscle car fans have their own new Mustang variant for 2021: the Mach 1.
It comes with the same 480-horsepower 5.0-liter V8 fitted to the Mustang Bullitt, which it replaces, and buyers can choose between a 6-speed manual or 10-speed automatic.
The Mach 1 also features a new front fascia, chunky exhaust tips, beefy Brembo brakes, and a new rear aerodynamics package with a unique wing and diffuser combo. It also comes with suspension goodies borrowed from the Shelby GT350 and Shelby GT500, including magnetic dampers and unique 19-inch wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4 tires.
The result is what Ford describes as the most track-capable Mustang equipped with a 5.0-liter V8.
Other Mustang variants feature some updates for the new model year. For instance, the Mustang EcoBoost and Mustang GT (along with the Mach 1) feature Ford’s Co-Pilot360 suite of electronic driver-assist features as standard. Included are such safety items as forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind spot warning and lane keep assist.
For the range-topping Shelby GT500, there’s a new Carbon Fiber Handling Package that’s available. It includes 20-inch carbon-fiber wheels finished in black, adjustable strut top mounts, an oil catch can, Gurney flap and splitter wickers.
And finally, there are the new colors of Antimatter Blue, Carbonized Gray and Grabber Yellow available for the Mustang EcoBoost, Mustang GT and Shelby GT500, and Fighter Jet Gray, Iconic Silver, Shadow Black, Oxford White, Velocity Blue, Twister Orange, Race Red and Grabber Yellow for the Mach 1.
There’s been no mention of updates for the GT350. We’ve reached out for comment from Ford and will update when we hear back.
The Mustang EcoBoost is powered by a 2.3-liter turbocharged inline-4 delivering 310 horsepower. The Mustang GT sports a 5.0-liter V8 with 460 horsepower while the Shelby GT500 features a 5.2-liter supercharged V8 with a staggering 760 horsepower on tap.
This article was originally published by Motor Authority, an editorial partner of ClassicCars.com.
I was hoping to see a Shaker scoop peeking through the hood such as was featured on the 2003-04 Mach 1. Is Ford really that concerned about a minimal drop in the precious fuel economy that they can’t even give us a a proper hood scoop on this Mustang? Or are they just being that cheap?
Am I the only Mustang enthusiast that feels somewhat left out in the cold by this current-gen 2015+ Pony? The styling just doesn’t do it for me. And though it may be lighter than its Camaro/Challenger rivals by a couple hundred pounds, it’s still a heavy car. Much heavier than I would like it to be anyway. Not to mention I’m just put off by all the needless and very costly tech in all new cars anyway. Wait till these cars get to be around 10 years old and everything starts to wear out and/or break; such as magnetic dampers. I don’t want to see that repair bill!