Ford is looking back to go forward. The Mach 1 name is making its return to the Mustang as the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1. It’s slated to deliver track-ready performance, bridging the gap between the Ford Mustang GT and Shelby models.

The exterior of the car features all the hallmark looks of the modern Mustang. It’s been fitted with a new two-piece upper grille, lower grille, and valance, and new side grilles. The front fascia has been modified to give a more aggressive appearance and improve the car’s on-track performance.

The front of the car features a unique grille that exudes heritage qualities.Photo courtesy of Ford Motor Company

The grille is designed to invoke nostalgia with deep three-dimensional mesh and a shark-nosed section with faux lamp elements. On the sides of each grille are the car’s turn signals. In the middle of the grille sites a low-gloss Magnetic pony badge. Throughout the exterior of the car, low-gloss Magnetic elements continue including on the mirror caps and rear spoiler.

A rear spoiler works with other elements of the car to give the Mustang Mach 1 22 percent more downforce than a Mustang GT with Performance Pack Level 1. Add in the Mach 1’s available Handing Package and that number jumps to 150 percent.

To enhance track endurance, engineers added two side heat exchangers – one to cool engine oil, the other transmission oil – as well as a rear axle cooling system and lower diffuser from the Shelby GT500.

Get under the car and you’ll see the new underbelly pan, which extends 20 inches further rearward than on a Mustang GT Performance Pack in an effort to smooth and increase airflow, as well as increase downforce. There are also belly pan airfoils in the brake cooling ramps improve downforce and assist the brake cooling flow – a first for Mustang.

Ford has given the model its latest MagneRide calibration, a stiffer steering I-shaft, new EPAS calibration, stiffer sway bars and front springs, a brake booster from the Mustang GT Performance Pack Level 2, 9.5-inch/10-inch split fitment wheels with Michelin PS4 tires, a rear subframe with stiffer bushings and a rear toe-link from Shelby GT500.

The car rides on 19-inch x 9.5-inch, and 19-inch x 10-inch five-spoke Tarnished Dark-painted aluminum wheels. The wheels are a modern version of Ford’s Magnum 500 style wheels. Buyers who opt for the Handling Package get unique, wider 19-inch x 10.5-inch front, and 19-inch x 11-inch rear Tarnished Dark-painted aluminum wheels.

Satin Black side and hood stripes are included with reflective accent stripes in any of three colors: Red, White and Orange (Appearance Package only). Exterior color options include the Mach 1-exclusive Fighter Jet Gray (Appearance Package only), as well as Iconic Silver, Shadow Black, Oxford White, Velocity Blue, Twister Orange, Race Red and Grabber Yellow.

The Mustang Mach 1 is a new grade level of the traditional Mustang coupe.Photo courtesy of Ford Motor Company

Under the hood is a 48-horsepower 5.0-liter V8 engine that aches 420 pound-feet of torque. The engine is paired with a standard Tremec six-speed manual transmission – the same as in the Shelby GT350. The system has ben paired with the GT250 oil cooler system and the Mustang GT’s twin-disc clutch and short-throw shifter.

Buyers can upgrade to a 10–speed automatic transmission with an upgraded torque converter and unique calibration that enables optimizing torque capability, shift character and overall enhanced performance. A second air-to-oil cooler increases cooling capacity by 75 percent.

Ford has made the Handling Package available only for models that are equipped with a manual transmission. It includes a larger unique higher downforce front splitter, new front wheel lip moldings, and a low-gloss Magnetic swing spoiler with a Gurney flap and rear tire spats from Shelby GT500.

The car is equipped with high-tech equipment to make it ready for any track day.Photo courtesy of Ford Motor Company

The car’s interior is pretty standard for a Mustang. It features a Dark Spindrift instrument panel with aluminum accents. Buyers who opt for leather seats get them in Ebony with an accent stripe. Buyers can also upgrade to get new door sill plates, an updated splash screen on the 12.3-inch all-LCD instrument cluster, a white cue ball shift knob, and engraved badging that displays the vehicle’s unique chassis number.

The limited edition 2021 Mustang Mach 1 will arrive in U.S. and Canadian Ford dealerships in the spring of 2021.