Review Ford Mustang 2021: 1 Max

If any car can be accused of over-trading its heritage, it's the Ford Mustang.

The iconic pony car has adopted a retro style and adheres to the same principles that have made it so popular for a long time.

The latest return to "the old days" was the introduction of the Mach 1, a special edition that features a host of upgrades making it "the most track-oriented Mustang ever sold in Australia"; according to the company.

Ford has tried this before, introducing a locally built R-Spec in collaboration with longtime Ford tuner, Herrod Performance, in early 2020.

However, the Mach 1 takes things to the next level, borrowing elements from the hot Shelby GT500 and GT350 (which are not available in right-hand drive) to create something that beats the Mustang GT and R-Spec. track days.

Ford Mustang 2021: 1 Max
Safety Rating
engine's type	5.0L
fuel type	Premium unleaded gasoline
Fuel efficiency	12.4l / 100km
Landing	4 Places
Price from	$71,300

Is there anything interesting about its design? 9/10

The design draws on the retro appeal of the standard Mustang, but builds on it, embracing the original Mach 1, which debuted way back in 1968.

The design draws on the retro appeal of the standard Mustang.

The most notable unique element of the car is a new grille with a pair of circular recesses in honor of the 1970 Mach 1 with additional fog lamps. The grille also features a new 3D mesh design and a matte blank Mustang badge.

The most noticeable unique element of the car is the new grille.

It's not just the look that's changed: the lower front bumper has been aerodynamically sculpted with a new splitter and a new lower grille to improve handling on the track. At the rear, there is a new diffuser that shares the same design as on the Shelby GT500.

The 19-inch alloy wheels are an inch wider than the Mustang GT and have a design that harkens back to the original "Magnum 500" that became a major muscle car in the 70s in the US.

Another major visual change is the graphics package, which features a thick stripe down the center of the car's hood, roof, and trunk, as well as decals on the sides.

The 19-inch alloy wheels feature a design reminiscent of the original Magnum 500.

The front side panels also feature a 3D "Mach 1" badge that blends in with the overall look, adding a premium touch.

How practical is the interior space? 6/10

The Mach 1 is no more or less practical than a standard Mustang GT. This means that while it technically has four seats, it's best used as a two-seater sports coupe because there's not enough legroom in the rear seats.

The front seats in every Mach 1 we've ridden have been optional Recaros. While they are an expensive addition, they look good and offer great support, especially the massive side bolsters that help keep you in place when you enter corners enthusiastically.

The seat adjustment isn't perfect, and Ford continues its trend of offering driver seats that feel a bit too high - at least for this reviewer's personal taste. Those who love an elevated view of the road, especially due to the long bonnet, will probably appreciate this arrangement.

Trunk space is the same 408 liters as the GT, which is actually pretty decent for a sports car. It will have no problem accommodating your shopping bags or soft travel luggage for a long weekend trip.

Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 7/10

Only 700 of the Mach 1 will arrive in Australia and it is equipped with a wide range of optional parts, both of which are reflected in the price.

The Mach 1 starts at $83,365 (plus road expenses), which is $19,175 more expensive than the GT and $16,251 cheaper than the R-Spec, making for a nice separation between three very similar "Stangs".

Importantly, the $83,365 price is listed for both the six-speed manual and the 10-speed automatic; no car bonus.

We'll detail the special additions to the Mach 1 in the relevant sections, but in a nutshell, it has engine, transmission, suspension, and styling changes.

In terms of comfort and technology, the Mach 1 comes standard with heated and cooled front seats, a Ford SYNC3 infotainment system, a 12-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system.

While it's primarily one specification, you do have a number of options to choose from. First and most expensive are the Recaro leather sports seats, which add $3000 to the bill.

Prestige paint costs an additional $650, and of the five colors available, only "Oxford White" is not "Prestige"; the other four are Twister Orange, Velocity Blue, Shadow Black and Fighter Jet Grey.

The final extra option is the "Appearance Pack" which adds orange brake calipers and orange trim pieces and is only included in Fighter Jet Gray colors but still adds $1000.

Noticeably missing from the options list is the "Processing Package" available in the US. It adds a larger front splitter, new front wheel moldings, a unique Gurney flap rear spoiler and unique alloy wheels.

What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 8/10

While R-Spec added a supercharger for more power and torque, the Mach 1 makes do with the same Coyote 5.0-liter V8 engine as the GT. However, thanks to the installation of a new open-air intake system, intake manifold and new throttle bodies from the Shelby GT350, the Mach 1 does indeed boast more power than before. That's good for 345kW/556Nm compared to the GT's 339kW/556Nm.

It's a small difference, but Ford wasn't trying to make the most powerful Mustang (that's what the GT500 is for), but wanted an engine that felt responsive and linear on the track.

Another element of the GT350 used in this model is a manual transmission.

Another element of the GT350 used in this model is the manual transmission, a six-speed Tremec unit that provides both rev-matching when downshifting and the ability to "flat-shift" in higher gears.

The 10-speed automatic is the same transmission found on the GT, but has received a unique software tweak to the Mach 1 to make better use of the extra power and give the car its own character.

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How much fuel does it consume? 6/10

No wonder the 5.0-liter V8, designed for top performance on the track, doesn't save fuel. Ford says management uses premium unleaded petrol at 13.9L/100km, while the car does a slightly better 12.4L/100km.

Considering our test drive included an extensive run around the track at high speeds, we weren't able to get a real-world representative figure, but it would take very careful driving to come close to those claims.

What is it like to drive? 9/10

This is where the Mach 1 really shines with all the key changes to improve its ride and handling, as well as extend its life at the limit.

The suspension under the car is borrowed from both Shelby models, the hitch arms are from the GT350, and the rear subframe with stiffer bushings is from the same parts basket as the GT500. 

This is the most trackable Mustang ever, just as Ford promised.

There are also new, stiffer anti-roll bars front and rear, and unique front springs lower the ride height by 5.0mm for better stability.

Mach 1 is equipped with MagneRide adaptive dampers that use fluid inside the body to adjust stiffness in real time based on road conditions or when you select one of the more dynamic driving modes - Sport or Track.

While Ford uses MagneRide on other models, the Mach 1 gets a unique setup for more responsive handling.

The electric steering has also been tweaked to provide a unique feel and better response than the regular Stang.

The electric steering has been tweaked for a unique feel and better response.

Cooling was another major focus of Ford engineers, which is very important because overheating is what makes the Mach 1 suitable for use on heavier tracks.

A pair of side heat exchangers is designed to cool the engine and transmission oil, and there is also another cooler for the rear axle.

Brakes are six-piston Brembo calipers with 380mm rotors up front and single-piston 330mm discs in the rear.

To keep them cool when you make multiple hard stops on the track, Ford has used some elements from the GT350, including special fins on the widened bottom that direct air to the brakes.

The end result of all these changes is truly the trackiest Mustang ever, just as Ford promised.

We were able to test the Mach 1 on the road and on the track, driving through the narrow and twisty Amaru layout at Sydney Motorsport Park to really test the car in the conditions Ford intended.

Mustang feels good on the open road.

Our road loop drove through some of Sydney's pitted back roads, and the Mach 1 demonstrated that its stiffer ride remains livable but still lacks the balance between control and comfort that diehard fans remember from local Falcon-based sports sedans; especially from FPV.

However, the Mustang feels good on the open road, the V8 rides without fuss, especially with the automatic transmission, which is happy to shift into high gears as quickly as possible in an attempt to save fuel.

Impressively, the Stang manages to use all 10 gear ratios, which not all gearboxes of this size have been able to do in the past.

However, even in Sport mode, the automatic transmission prefers higher gears, so if you want to have a nimble ride on the road and keep a lower gear, I recommend using the paddles on the steering wheel and taking control.

While road drive showed off a capable cruiser, as did the Mustang GT, track drive is what really rammed through the Mach 1's improved capabilities.

Ford kindly provided the GT for a consistent comparison, and it really highlighted the differences between the pair.

While the GT is a fun car to drive on the track, the Mach 1 feels sharper, more responsive, and more playful, making it not only faster, but also more enjoyable to drive.

The track drive is what really cut into the Mach 1's improved capabilities.

The combination of extra downforce, redesigned suspension and retuned steering means the Mach 1 enters corners with more straightness and better control.

The way the Mach 1 transfers its weight as you move from one corner to another is a significant improvement over the GT and even the R-Spec; even if it lacks the power of the supercharged R-Spec on the straights.

Not that Mach 1 feels slow when you open it. It revs hard to the redline and feels smooth and strong. It also makes great noise thanks to some exhaust tweaks that help produce a deeper, louder growl.

Paired with a six-speed manual transmission, the Mach 1 delivers immense driving pleasure, delivering the thrill of the "old school" muscle cars that are becoming increasingly rare in the world of paddle shifters and turbocharged engines.

However, in a nod to modernity, the gearbox has both an "automatic signal" when downshifting (a surge in revs that helps downshift more smoothly) and the ability to "flat shift" when upshifting. .

The latter means you can keep your right foot on the accelerator pedal as you press the clutch and shift into the next gear. The engine automatically cuts off the throttle for a fraction of a second, so as not to damage the engine, but to help you accelerate faster.

It does take some getting used to - at least if you have a liking for the mechanics - but when you do, it's a fun feature that increases the car's potential on the track.

While the manual will appeal to enthusiasts, the automatic also performs well on the track. Since it hunts for high gears on the road, we decided to put it in manual mode and use paddle shifters on the track.

The car will stay in gear right up to the redline or until you hit the stalk, so you're in control at all times. Shifts aren't as quick and crisp as a dual-clutch gearbox, but it's enough to feel dynamic.

The brakes are impressive too, which is a good thing considering how fast the V8 is. Not only because of the power they provide, allowing you to go into corners much deeper than you can in a GT, but also because of their stability. The extra cooling means there was no damping in our five laps of the track.

Warranty and safety rating

Basic Warranty

5 years / unlimited mileage


guarantee

ANCAP Safety Rating

What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 5/10

The Mustang's safety history is well-documented: it received an infamous two-star rating from the ANCAP before being upgraded to its current three-star rating. That's not to say the Mustang isn't a safe car, and it does have a respectable list of standard safety equipment.

This includes eight airbags (driver and front passenger, side and curtain, and driver's knees), lane departure warning with lane keeping assist, and autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection.

There is also Ford's "Emergency Assistance" which can automatically call emergency services if your phone is paired with the vehicle and detects an airbag deployment.

However, it's missing some notable safety features that could reasonably be fitted to a $80+ car.

In particular, there is no adaptive cruise control or rear parking sensors, which are becoming more common features in cars that cost significantly less.

Unfortunately for Ford, the original Mach 1 brochure included both elements, and this caused an uproar among some previous buyers who felt they had been misled.

How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 9/10

The adaptive cruise control and parking sensors weren't the only mistake in the brochure, Ford also originally stated that the Mach 1 would feature a Torsen mechanical limited slip differential, however the right hand drive variants use the same LSD as the Mustang GT.

To appease disgruntled owners, Ford Australia is offering free service for the first three years, saving them nearly $900. Otherwise, the standard service will cost $299 and be done every 12 months or 15,000 km, whichever comes first.

Ford Australia offers free service for the first three years.

It should also be noted that Ford provides a rental car for free when you order your car for service - something only some premium brands usually offer.

The Mach 1 is covered by the same five-year/unlimited mileage warranty as the rest of the Ford range.

It's important to note that Ford will cover warranty claims if the car is used on the track, as long as it is "driven as recommended" in the owner's manual. 

Verdict

Ford's decision to return to the Mach 1 continued its retro theme with the Bullitt Mustang special edition, but it's not stuck in the past. The changes made to the Mach 1 beyond the GT make it a truly superior car with superior handling on the road and track.

However, the Mach 1's appeal is heavily focused on track use, so it won't be to everyone's taste. However, for those who plan to regularly participate in track days, Mach 1 will not disappoint. 

Lots of Shelby parts and other improvements mean it feels like a much sharper tool than any previous Mustang we've had in Australia. The only catch will be getting one of the 700, as this American icon's popularity is showing no signs of waning just yet.