Ford NZ is among those getting revved up for a Mach 1 Mustang.

“IF we can get it for New Zealand we will definitely have to think about it – I mean, it’s such a legend, right?”

This from Ford New Zealand’s communications manager today in response to the latest and ultimate iteration of its popular Mustang muscle car, the Mach 1.

The parent brand has shared teaser images- but no video, unfortunately - of a kingpin mode which revives the legendary nameplate first used in 1969 and ushers in specific performance and handling upgrades designed, the brand boasts, to make it “the most track-ready 5.0-litre Mustang ever.”

Can Kiwis access this beast? One way or the other, yes: Because if it doesn’t achieve as a factory car for local release, buyers could always ship in a US-spec car as a private import.

Ford New Zealand, of course, would like nothing better than to represent the car in the showroom – there’s obvious potential to further spark up Mustang sales that, until Covid-19, were rolling along at 40 to 50 units a month, with V8 versions snaring the bulk of sales.

For Mach 1 to be ‘official’ requires it to be produced in right hand drive.

Is that possible? According to our neighbour, the answer is no. Ford Australia seems adamant variant is a US-based initiative, telling a news outlet there “the Mach 1 news is specific to the US.”

Ford NZ’s Tom Clancy, though, is more optimistic, in that he says there is no specific news from Detroit about who gets the car, when and how. Until all that it spelled out, it’s impossible to say one way or the other.

“It hasn’t been confirmed for right-hand-drive markets as yet,” he acknowledged. But that’s not to say it might not be. “It hasn’t been confirmed either way. 

“If it is, we will certainly look at it. We’re definitely excited. I mean, who wouldn’t be? There are a lot of enthusiastic Mustang customers in New Zealand so if it is conformed for right hand drive, we’d certainly want to know about it. 

“It would be very good for New Zealand. As soon as we  have news we will share it, but I don’t have any timing for when that might be.”

The highest-performance right-hand-drive Mustangs available at present are Roush and Shelby GT editions, which are in both case after-market enhancements performed locally on regular NZ-new 339kW V8 GTs. 

The ultimate Roush version is the supercharged V8, generally making around 510kW, whereas the top Shelby, the Super Snake, promises around 600kW. Ford Australia has concocted – but purely for home market consumption - a Mustang R-Spec, also supercharged, has 522kW and 830Nm.

Mach 1 will be naturally-aspirated and while Ford US has yet to announce outputs, it has promised it’ll be up to performance fans’ expectations. It also has dropped hints that the model is, in any event, about much more than a bad-ass engine.

The focus on transmission, brake, suspension and handling enhancements has been considerable as well. Ford has also treated it to track-rated Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 rubber.

Visually, the Mach 1 is distinguished by styling cues that reference past editions. The front has a dual-headlight design with a second set of lights set inside the centre grille – a signature of the famous 1969 original.

The model is also expected to achieve a new front bumper and air inlet design, will take quad-exit exhaust pipes and a unique spoiler. The 19-inch black alloy wheels are in a spindle design to evoke historic association and it is sure to take ‘Mach 1’ decals and a two-tone paint colour scheme. BTW, the last time the Mach 1 designation was seen on a Mustang was in 2004. 

As much as Ford is rekindling its performance past, it is also taking Mustang into the future with another ‘Mach’, the Mach-E fully electric car. Which is also expected to hit New Zealand at some point.