Spied: 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1
Spy photos of the the upcoming 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1, taken, just outside of Ford’s Dearborn, Michigan, development facility, reveal a few more tidbits beyond the initial announcement. Its camouflaged tail panel and fascia are hiding the cosmetic changes that are coming, as we expect the fog lights to get reworked to differentiate this mid-tier V-8 model from the GT. What’s more difficult to hide is the prominent decklid-mounted spoiler that looks like the same piece found on the Shelby models.
We especially like the wheels used on this mule, which seems to combine a split five-spoke with a bit of a mesh design. Behind those front wheels, we think we can make out Brembo six-piston calipers.
Inside, you’ll note a few other interesting tidbits: a Bullitt steering wheel along with the Bullitt’s signature cue-ball shift knob.
Don’t overthink the Bullitt kit, however, as it’s almost certainly just for use on this prototype. The Mach 1 is replacing Bullitt in the Mustang lineup, trading one storied pony car trim for another. The 2019 and 2020 Bullitt was only offered with a six-speed manual transmission, so we can probably expect the same from the Mach 1. As for the powerplant, Bullitt came with a 480-horsepower version of the third-generation Coyote 5.0-liter V-8. That’s a 20 horsepower improvement over the standard Gen 3 Coyote found in the GT, but rumors are swirling that the Mach 1 will go even further and offer somewhere in the range of 500-515 ponies. With an expected price tag in the $50,000 range, just like the soon-to-be-discontinued Bullitt, it could be one of the biggest performance bargains on the market.
It seems to us that the Mach 1 is shaping up to be breathing down the GT350‘s neck. It may be the right kind of sleeper track toy for those that don’t need a flat-plane V-8 wail to announce their presence.
We should shortly learn just how capable the 2021 Mach 1 is, although planned debuts have obviously been delayed due to pandemic-related delays and shutdowns. We can’t wait to get a shot behind the wheel of this ultimate Coyote-powered pony.
