2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 Pricing Announced, Could Have Been Worse
Enthusiasts are up in arms about the departing Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 because they already know its Mach 1 replacement won’t be able to compete with it on a racetrack. This was by design, however. Ford wants something a little more street friendly and easier on people’s wallets. It can also save on production costs by utilizing components that helped make the GT350 an engineering marvel, without relying on its pricey V8 with the flat-plane crankshaft. The Mach 1 gets the same 5.0-liter V8 found inside GT models, tweaked to deliver 480 hp and 420 pound-feet of torque.
On the 73rd anniversary of Chuck Yeager breaking the sound barrier (aka Mach 1) in the Bell X-1 “Glamorous Glennis,” Ford decided to tell us how much the upcoming model will cost so it could begin taking orders. The automaker has settled on $52,915 (including destination), placing the Mach 1 a healthy $4,000 above the Bullitt Mustang and nearly ten grand below the outgoing GT350.
Well, we’d always like to see cars priced lower but it seems to make sense. The Bullitt (also departing this year) has always felt a bit steep vs a Mustang GT Premium since it basically amounts to an appearance package with a couple of performance upgrades added for good measure. But it’s one of the better ones on the market and includes an engine cover delete to make room for a model-specific strut tower brace (if you also buy the performance package) that turns the engine compartment into something you might actually want to show off at Cars & Coffee before crashing into a tree.
The Mach 1 takes what’s good about the Bullitt, including the engine and that cue-ball shifter placed atop a rev-matching six-speed manual (10-speed automatic available), and runs with a busier paint scheme, Mach 1 badges, and a handful of meaningful modifications. Some of those are straight from the Shelby series of Mustangs — including the base transmission, intake manifold, oil cooler, transmission cooler, and more. Those seeking additional performance may want to option the Handling Package that adds a front splitter and a few other aerodynamic buffs that give the car substantially more of downforce at speed.
That should make it a bit more lively to drive than the Bullitt and helps make that fairly modest price bump more agreeable. But it doesn’t prove whether or not it’s good value against the departing Mustang GT350. Just about everyone praised it and claimed the $61,635 (with shipping) asking price was well worth the money — especially if one planned on taking it to a racetrack with any frequency.
Based on the parts added to the Mach 1, Ford seems to have similar ambitions for the limited-edition model. But its ultimate value will be determined by how adept it is around a track vs the Shelby. Customers seeking the muscle car experience in everyday traffic will probably be better off saving themselves a bundle by purchasing a Mustang GT (or going with the Chevrolet Camaro or Dodge Charger/Challenger) and using their cash reserves to tailor it to their taste. However, those unwilling to settle for less may find the Mach 1 an agreeable alternative to the GT350, even if it doesn’t manage to outdo it in any specific areas.
[Images: Ford Motor Co.]
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
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Sorry, I may be confused - what is the battery capacity/range/recharge time?
I just read Ford dropped the Performance Pack II option for the 2021 model year. Essentially replacing the PP2 car with the Mach 1. So now you have the very mild Performance Pack 1 option over the GT and if a buyer wants something more serious they will have to step up to the Mach 1 and for something track ready the Mach 1 with handling package.