Many, if not most of us, grew up with dreams of being a racecar driver. Nowadays, this seems like that childhood dream that will never come to fruition because, let’s be real – while a life on the racetracks is great, it doesn’t pay the bills for most people. Nonetheless, the thought of having a fast car would excite almost anybody, and today this is more feasible than ever before. While you may not be a racecar driver, owning a track-ready car is as easy as visiting a Ford dealership near you.
With the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1, Ford has introduced a very fierce competitor to this year’s performance car stage. That said, you might be asking what the hype is about this car. Here are some of the top reasons why the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 is the among the best performance cars you can buy this year.
It’s Fast
When I think about the Mustang, the first thing I think about is speed. It’s not a secret that the Mustang is a very fast model, and with the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1, the model gets even faster than the previous iterations. With a 5.0-liter V-8 engine, the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 can muster an incredible 480 hp – that’s 20 hp more than a standard Mustang GT. It’s also 25 hp more than the Chevy Camaro SS and 55 hp more than the BMW M4, both of which have a very high reputation as extremely fast coupes.
The impressive engine in the Mach 1 is paired with your choice of either a ten-speed automatic with paddle shifters or a six-speed manual. Most impressively, the manual also offers auto rev-matching, helping you downshift quickly and smoothly while out on the track. Whether you prefer the convenience and speed of the automatic or the engaging do it yourself nature of the manual, Ford has you covered – which is a nice improvement over the manual-only nature of the BULLITT and Shelby GT350 variants of the Mustang.
It’s Innovative
Innovation is the factor that really defines whether a car thrives or brakes nowadays. Sure, raw horsepower is never a bad thing, but if the car isn’t bringing anything new to the table, then it’s better left in the past. We all want a brand that looks to the future of technology, and Ford has largely done just that. With advanced aerodynamics and cooling, the Mach 1 is far more than just a Mustang with a more powerful engine. Instead, it is a true road-legal racecar.
In order to make the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1, Ford decided to take notes as to what worked well in other variants of the model type, taking what could be improved and leaving what couldn’t. Among these inclusions were many of the advanced aerodynamic features of the top of the line Shelby GT350 and GT500, which, as you can guess, make the Mach 1 incredibly aerodynamic. Thanks to all the improvements, the Mach 1 with the optional Handling Package offers 150 percent more downforce than a Mustang GT with Performance Pack Level 1. And with its extensive cooling upgrades, the Mach 1 can maintain its awesome performance for lap after lap.
It’s a Blast From the Past
What you may not know if you’re new to the Mustang model is that the Mach 1 name has a long legacy. It’s not an exaggeration to say that this car is history itself – a car which hasn’t been in production for 17 years. The children learning to drive today have grown up in a time when the Mustang Mach 1 was not in production, and given the short 2-year run of the last Mach 1 variant, even many adults have probably never had the chance to see this performance car.
But for many older drivers, the Mach 1 was a defining car from their early lives – one that’s filled with memories. Now, the new Mach 1 again allows you to experience a car that defined an era in the automotive industry. Whether you are a new driver or owned an original Mach 1 back in the 1960s, the new Mach 1 carries a sense of history. And there’s something beautiful in that, which gives the car a different feel than some of its competitors, whether that be a sense of nostalgia or of experiencing history for the first time.
It’s Affordable
While the expected price tag of roughly $50,000 can seem like a high price at first glance, it is remarkably affordable for the performance that you are getting. Granted, this is around $10,000 more than a base Mustang GT – but a Mustang GT will require extensive modifications for real performance driving, and upgrading to a Shelby GT350 will cost you over $60,000. Foreign options will bring an even higher price tag, such as the roughly $70,000 cost of the BMW M4.
The bottom line is that compared to other performance options, the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 represents incredible value. And you have to remember that you’re investing in a very high-quality car. The Mustang Mach 1, with its no-nonsense nature and naturally-aspirated V8 engine, will retain its value far better than many other performance options – especially since the Mach 1 is a limited-edition vehicle.
It’s Comfortable
Oftentimes, when a car looks good and offers high performance, it has to sacrifice comfort in the process. Fortunately, the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 provides a remarkable amount of interior space and plenty of comfortable features. While it may not comfortably seat a family of four, that’s not what the Mach 1 was designed for – and yet it does still have rear seats for those emergencies when you need to fit more than two people into your car (or just transport a pet or a bunch of stuff).
While the rear seats are somewhat cramped, the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 does offer plenty of room upfront. With 45 inches of legroom, you will be able to relax on long drives no matter how tall you are. When combined with comfort features like option heating seating and the excellent SYNC 3 infotainment system, the Ford Mustang Mach 1 offers a very comfortable driving experience.
It’s a Great Deal
Ultimately, all of these reasons together make for an additional reason – the Mach 1 is a great deal. It’s one thing to have many different individual benefits, but with the Mach 1, all of its features combine to make something greater than the sum of its parts. With enhanced performance, remarkable comfort, and attainable price, the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 is a great all-around choice that is equally at home pushing the limits on the track or going for a relaxing Sunday cruise.
All of these reasons show that the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 is a one of a kind vehicle that is quite rare in the modern automotive industry. While the Mach 1 does offer superior speed for its model type, it truly is a legendary performance car in every way imaginable, and it can still double as a daily driver as well. If you need a reason to pay a visit to your local Ford dealership, then the new Mach 1 provides it.
