It’s been highly rumored for some time now that the Mach 1 will be making a return to the Mustang lineup.
With the introduction of the Mustang Mach-E,
many enthusiasts will likely be quite happy to see a Mach 1
Mustang variant make a return as well. The last Mustang Mach 1 to hit the streets was the 2004 model
year, meaning it’s been over 15 years since a Mach 1 has rolled off Ford’s assembly line.
We’re happy to announce that Ford Motor Company has lifted the curtain on the upcoming 2021 Mustang Mach
1! There’s a lot to be excited about including a 6-speed Tremec TR-3160 Manual Transmission from the
GT350, more coolers, the GT350/GT500 “Swing,” a totally revised front fascia and unique graphics
package. Let’s dive in, shall we?
If you haven't already, be sure to check out our Twister Orange Steeda Mach
1 build and follow along as we baseline, add parts, and turn the volume knob up to 11!
One of the best parts about the new Mustang Mach 1 is its indistinguishable Mach 1 looks. The designers
at Ford hit the nail on the head with the unique touches to this latest variant to the Mustang stable.
Let’s start with the most unique feature about the Mach 1 - the front fascia. With the addition of many
of the engine, transmission & differential coolers off of the Shelby GT350, those coolers needed to have
access to airflow from the front of the vehicle. This begged for a front fascia redesign allowing for
more airflow. With design cues from the 2018+ Mustang redesign and the Shelby GT350, this Mach 1 front
fascia falls right in line in the lineup - above a Mustang GT, and below a Shelby GT500.
There’s no
doubt that the departure of the flat-plane crank powered GT350 will be missed, but this Mach 1 certainly
does the job of filling its shoes with looks, optional luxury and track-capable handling prowess.
Furthermore, the upper grille has hints of Boss 302 with the open holes for what could fit some
additional fog lights, perhaps?
We should also mention that the Handling Package gets an additional front splitter that was designed into
the Mach 1 front fascia to improve track performance and a +150% improvement in downforce in comparison
to a Mustang GT with the Performance Package Level 1. Even the base Mach 1 features a +22% improvement
in downforce as well!
The unique Mach 1 theme carries well through the side profile of the vehicle. Regardless if you opt for
the optional Handling Package or the base Mach 1, the rocker decal, Mach 1 badging, colored Brembo
calipers (Red for non-Handling Package, Orange for Handling Package) and Mach 1-specific wheel options
will no doubt catch anyone’s eye.
Moving to the rear, the GT500 rear fascia and enormous 5-inch exhaust tips will surely catch your eye.
Combine that with the blade spoiler borrowed off of the current Performance Package - Level 2 cars on
the base model (or the Swing & Gurney Flap on the Handling Package), and you have one killer combination
that will have Camaro and Challenger owners running to Ford dealerships in droves!
2021 Mustang Mach 1 Wheels & Tires
Another aspect of the Mach 1 that we’re quite excited about is the unique wheel & tire options available
on this Mustang variant. Ford pulled out all the stops on the most track-capable 5.0L Mustang ever.
Offered on the non-Handling Package Mach 1 Mustangs are wheels modernized versions of the 2003-04 Mustang
Mach 1 - which look awesome, by the way! In the front you have a wider 19” x 9.5” wheel and 19” x 10”
wheel in the rear. These wheels are wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S rubber in 255/40R19 and 275/40R19
sizes, respectively.
If you’re looking to take your car out on track and do what your Mach 1 was built to do, then opting for
the Handling Package would be the optimal choice. The front wheels are a 19” x 10.5” wheel wrapped in
305/30R19 Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 rubber. The rear wheel is a 19” x 11” wrapped in sticky 315/30R19
Cup 2’s as well. Needless to say, this pony will stick well coming out of corners.
2021 Mustang Mach 1 Interior
When it comes to the interior of the new Mach 1, it doesn’t look like much has changed over a regular
Mustang GT. It looks like the Recaro seats will be an option, which we’re happy to see on a
track-oriented Mustang. Additionally, if you were to opt for the Handling Package, the non-Recaro seats
have a pretty cool orange stripe - our thinking is that optional Recaros on the Handling Package may
have unique orange stitching as well.
Additionally, you’ll have a unique Mach 1 plate on the passenger side of the dashboard, along with Mach 1
door sill plates as well. Outside of that, the majority of the interior remains unchanged, as it’s
pretty clear what sets this car apart from the standard Mustang GT is exterior styling and performance
over the interior. We’re just happy to see a track-oriented Mustang that has the luxury features as well
(like that beautiful 12” LCD Digital Instrument Cluster that will never get old)!
2021 Mustang Mach 1 Engine & Performance
One thing we were quite surprised to not have seen in the initial press release was the 2021 Mustang Mach
1 engine bay. Our thinking is that there is still some finalizing with that area of the vehicle,
especially when it comes to emissions. We are happy to hear it will have Mustang Bullitt-level power at
480 horsepower. Although, we were definitely hoping for more, we understand that the factory can only
pump out so much naturally aspirated horsepower out of the 5.0L and pass all those emissions tests.
From what we’re seeing, it looks like Ford was able to add some awesome features to both the Tremec
manual and 10R80 automatic transmissions. The 10R80 10-speed automatic transmission will come with an
upgraded torque converter and unique calibration that will transform overall performance in getting that
additional power to the ground more efficiently. And, most importantly, for those that want an automatic
for road course-work, an additional air-to-oil cooler for the 10R80 is included in the package
increasing cooling capacity by 75 percent!
On the Tremec TR-3160 6-speed manual transmission, you can expect to see the hand-me-down transmission
oil cooler system from the GT350 along with rev-matching, a twin-disc clutch, and a short-throw shifter
adding both luxury and performance to the Mach 1 package.
We look forward to finding out more information like 0-60, quarter-mile times, and more as people get
their hands on these awesome machines!
19” x 9.5” / 19” x 10”, tarnished dark-painted aluminum (Base)
19" x 10.5" / 19" x 11", tarnished dark-painted aluminum (Handling Pack)
Tires, Front/Rear
255/40R19 / 27540R19, Michelin Pilot Sport 4S (Base)
305/30R19 / 315/30R19, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 (Handling Pack)
2021 Mustang Mach 1: Performance Specs
Performance Stats
2021 Mustang Mach 1
0-60 MPH
4.1 Seconds
0-100 MPH
9.1 Seconds
0-100-0 MPH
TBA
Quarter Mile, ET/MPH
12.2 Seconds
Braking, 60-0 MPH
96 Feet
Lateral Acceleration
1.05 G
Source: Ford
2021 Mustang GT vs Mach 1
Offering an entirely new trim level in between the Mustang GT and GT500 begs one to wonder what the main
differences are on the Mach 1 in comparison to the standard Mustang GT. The Ford Marketing team saw this
opportunity and put together a very detailed infographic explaining what you’re getting on the Mach 1 up
and above the regular GT. Check it out!
2021 Mustang Mach 1 Photos
Mach 1 Spy Shots & More
Due to recent world events, we were surprised to see what popped up on Ford Media Center this morning -
Ford Motor Company released its own spy shots of the upcoming 2021 Mustang Mach 1! We really can’t call
them spy shots now, can we?
Regardless, we are more than excited to see what’s to come with the - now confirmed - return of the Mach
1. Based on Ford’s wording in their press release, we can expect this new version of the Mustang to be
the most track-capable 5.0L V8 Mustang ever! These photos alone tell us a ton of what we can expect on
Ford’s latest Mustang project.
Starting at the front of the 2021 Mach 1, you’re able to see the most obvious change - the upper grille -
which now has two openings similar to what was on the outgoing S197 Boss 302 models. This could either
be for additional airflow to the engine for power and cooling, or making room for some LED fog lights to
be included in the package on the road-going version.
Additionally, you can see the entire front fascia is revised from what we’ve seen previously with any
Mustang model. This fascia looks as if it’s a cross between the GT350 & GT500 designs. With lower grille
openings similar to the GT350 and GT500, we have to wonder if there’s additional cooling available on
this trim level that may not be available for the GTs. Otherwise, those honeycombs would be blocked off
for additional aero. Only time will tell!
Moving onto the wheel photo that Ford included in their release, we’re happy to see sticky Michelin Pilot
Sport Cup 2 tires, especially 305mm wide in the front! What’s even more impressive is this unique wheel
design. If this is what’s going to be included in the road-going version of this vehicle - we’ll be
totally happy with that.
One thing we’re slightly surprised about are the brakes. We were hoping to see hand-me-down GT350 brakes
on front and rear for the Mach 1. It looks like they opted for the outgoing Bullitt brakes -- red GTPP
brakes -- for this build. Nothing quite stands up to the braking potential of that GT350. We won’t lose
sleep over it though - a simple fluid and aggressive brake pad swap, and you’ll be keeping up with the GT350’s braking
potential with ease!
Lastly, from the rear, you can see this test mule also includes the outgoing GT350 “swing” and lower
GT500 rear fascia with those massive 5-inch exhaust tips. Not much has changed here in comparison to the
previous spy shots, but we can see those wheels do have a decent offset both front and rear, especially
for factory wheels. Way to go, Ford!
We truly can’t wait to see what’s next with the upcoming Mustang Mach 1. The only major question is
what’s under the hood. Ford has come out and said that this will be a 5.0L engine. Meaning that it will
likely have the same, or a variation of, the Bullitt’s 480-horsepower V8. This would certainly be no
slouch, but somehow bumping that number to 500 hp would be nothing short of impressive!
2021 Mustang Mach 1 Confirmed Via Leaked Document (4/2/2020)
For some time now there has been much speculation to whether or not the Mach 1 is going to make a
glorious return to the Mustang lineup. Well, that speculation can almost come to a close because our
friends at Mustang6G dropped a supposed leaked document from Ford that displays the Mach 1 as an option
on the model lineup for 2021 Mustang models.
Upon further inspection of the alleged Ford document, it appears that for the 2021 Mustang model year
there will be a Mach 1! The sequencing of this document illustrates the Mach 1 could replace the
incredible Shelby GT350 and GT350R. This comes as a shock to us because we were under the impression the
GT500 and GT350 would be selling side by side for a few more years in dealers across the country. No
engine details are available at this point.
This potentially leaked document and the spy photos around Dearborn have to cause Mustang enthusiasts
to talk even more than before. While there is no way to confirm that this document is real, it sure
gives us hope
for the Mach 1 to return to the Mustang lineup. Everyone at Steeda is very excited about the potential
return of one of the most iconic nameplates in Mustang history!
2021 Mustang Mach 1 Spotted In The Wild (1/25/2020)
Thanks to our friends over at Mustang6G, we are able to catch a glimpse of what this 2021 Mach 1 could
look like! Well, don’t get confused - this is a prototype vehicle, so we’re not 100% sure of what the
final product will look like, but one thing is for sure - it’s going to be a significant step up over a
regular GT!
From the front, it doesn’t look like there are many changes. Personally, we think the black areas on the
front bumper cover are intended to throw the eye off. Needless to say, between that and the camouflage
vinyl Ford puts on these prototype vehicles, it certainly does a good job of throwing off depth
perception. That’s what makes these spy shots fun, though!
Perhaps one of the biggest things that jumps out at us is the use of Performance Package - Level 2
wheels. If they’re truly the PP2 wheels, they’re 19” x 10.5” up front and 19” x 11” in the rear. It’s
also quite interesting to see what appear to be Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires out in sub-45 degree
temperatures! Behind those beautiful Ford OE wheels, you’ll see the red Brembo brakes also used on the
Bullitt Mustang for the past two model years.
The rear is likely the most interesting part of these spy photos. That’s because it seemingly has a
complete 2020 Shelby
GT500 rear. That goes for the spoiler - or “swing” as Ford coins it - the lower
valance and exhaust. Don’t get us wrong, it’s an amazing look and we love it! We’re just surprised that
Ford is using GT500 parts this soon on a lower trim level for the Mustang. We won’t complain though,
because those 5-inch exhaust tips look killer!
Now, we’ll have to assume that this variant of the 2021 Mustang will likely fall in between the GT and
GT350 in the lineup, much like the Bullitt is currently. Our curiosity lies on what will be different
from a performance standpoint. Will Ford do a similar 480 horsepower setup they did in the Bullitt
utilizing the GT350 intake manifold, throttle body and a different calibration? Or could we finally see
500 horsepower out of a standard Mustang GT? Only time will tell! Be sure to turn to Steeda for the
latest updates on the 2021 Mustang Mach 1!
Image Credit: Ford Media | Ford Authority | Mustang6G | KGP
Photography
Steeda
Mach 1 Build
