{"id":27833,"date":"2021-08-26T13:53:10","date_gmt":"2021-08-26T17:53:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/?p=27833"},"modified":"2021-08-26T13:53:10","modified_gmt":"2021-08-26T17:53:10","slug":"payne-cruisin-in-the-dreamy-mustang-mach-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/2021\/08\/payne-cruisin-in-the-dreamy-mustang-mach-1","title":{"rendered":"Payne: Cruisin’ in the dreamy Mustang Mach 1"},"content":{"rendered":"

Royal Oak<\/em>\u00a0\u2014 My red 2021 Mustang Mach 1 was dressed for the Woodward Dream Cruise.<\/p>\n

Muscled torso covered in black tattoos. Front spoiler out to here. Wicked black\u00a0Magnum wheels. Mesh fascia with flared nostrils. Quad tailpipes the size of ship cannons. Swaggering down Woodward Avenue on Saturday morning, I noticed a Mustang Shelby GT350 pull\u00a0up next to me, its high-strung, “Voodoo”\u00a0V-8 engine gurgling menacingly.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n
<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

\u201cHow do you like it?\u201d its jockey asked about my Mach 1 before correctly noting: \u201cIt doesn\u2019t seem to have much growl.\u201d<\/p>\n

Then, to make the point, he downshifted the GT350 \u2014SNORT!\u00a0<\/em>\u2014\u00a0stomped the pedal and \u2014\u00a0WAAUURRRGH!<\/em>\u00a0\u2014 \u00a0ripped up the strip with a shriek that sounded\u00a0like a T-rex gargling razor blades.<\/p>\n

The Mach 1 is not the GT350.<\/p>\n

One of the most memorable names in Mustang lore (not to mention one of the coolest badges in all autodom), Mach 1 debuted in 1969 and brought distinctive style and power to the pony lineup. In my three decades cruising Woodward, the first-gen Mach 1s are instantly recognizable in their bright colors, black tats, rear wings, bulging hoods and outrageous wheels.<\/p>\n

Conceived as the ultimate, V-8-powered grand touring (GT) model, the Mach 1 was the bridge between street-focused \u2018Stangs and the twin-striped, trophy-winning\u00a0GT350 track monsters made by Carroll Shelby\u2019s shop.<\/p>\n

After many years in the wilderness, Ford has successfully returned to that formula with its current sixth-generation Mustang. These are golden years. Producing the most extensive Mustang menu ever, Ford has offered ferocious Shelby GT350 and GT500 models as the ultimate expression of V-8 muscle. But for those who just want a GT with a few more calories, the Bullitt and Mach 1 special editions are on offer, too.<\/p>\n

My 480-horse\u00a0$58,490 tester deftly straddled the line between comfort and performance.<\/p>\n

Framed by retro-Mustang elements like aviator air vents, T-shifter\u00a0and engine gauges, the interior tech blew away pony enthusiasts who hadn\u2019t been in a ‘Stang for 10\u00a0years. A stunning\u00a012.3-inch digital cluster transformed according to drive mode. Need system\u00a0info? I toggled through menus with steering wheel buttons. Voice commands and finger swipes controlled the console touchscreen, while windshield wipers and high-beam headlights activated automatically when needed.<\/p>\n

Try that on my pal Peter\u2019s 1969 classic\u00a0analog Mustang GT.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re a long way from the 20th century, Toto. Peter reveled in the car\u2019s leather-wrapped luxury, while his wife lounged comfortably in the back seats.<\/p>\n

When they swapped places, the Mach 1 eagerly accommodated Carol\u2019s lead right foot.\u00a0ROARRGH!<\/em>\u00a0The 5.0-liter V-8 spat as she quickly hit 60 mph\u00a0on a two-lane lake road. The V-8 that had purred nicely at Peter\u2019s hand in traffic (and mine on Woodward)\u00a0belts a brassy tune when you really put your foot in it.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not the wake-the-dead howl of the 8,000-RPM, 5.2-liter, flat-plane crank GT350, but it means business. And it\u2019s a reminder of Mach 1\u2019s performance envelope.<\/p>\n

I didn\u2019t have the opportunity to track Mach 1 during Dream Cruise week (my usual M1 Concourse playground was busy with its inaugural Dream Show), but the coupe\u2019s sporting aspirations are apparent the moment you step in the car.<\/p>\n

My tester was not equipped with the optional handling package, but Mach 1\u2019s standard upgrades over the GT are plenty: bigger sway-bars, front springs,\u00a0bushings; Brembo brakes; and two additional heat\u00a0exchangers.<\/p>\n

\"You'll<\/p>\n
<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

Miles from Woodward stoplights, I had a blast flogging Mach 1 through Oakland County twisties. Dialing up\u00a0TRACK mode (the instrument display changing to a broad RPM band for easy visual reference), the MagneRide shocks stiffened and I could confidently rotate the car\u2019s 3,900-pound heft through tight turns. I squeezed the accelerator on exit, pulling paddle shifts as I built speed.<\/p>\n

I preferred the paddles because the 10-speed auto was the drivetrain\u2019s biggest weakness. Upshifts are\u00a0harsh and the multitude of cogs could occasionally get confused.<\/p>\n

I\u2019d opt for the old-school six-speed manual. Not only is it better suited for manhandling the brute \u2014 but it now comes with new-school rev-matching for quick downshifts into corners. At $58,000, the Mach 1 split the $93,000 BMW M3 and $45,000 Honda Civic Type R Special Edition I tracked just a week before at Grattan Raceway near Grand Rapids. Mach 1 does not have the Bimmer\u2019s buttery-smooth auto tranny, nor does it boast the Honda\u2019s light-footed athleticism. But with a manual mated to a bellowing V-8, it has an American personality all its own.<\/p>\n

Given the Mach 1\u2019s dual ID as Woodward cruiser\/corner carver, most folks will prefer the automatic. When not on the boil, the transmission makes for easy\u00a0upshifts \u2014 and less distraction from the interior\u2019s shelf-full of technology.<\/p>\n

While cruising in Woodward traffic, I received numerous phone calls; barked directions to Android Auto to find the best way home through Cruise gridlocks; and thumbed my favorite Sirius XM channels via touchscreen.<\/p>\n

A pair of Mach 1s fronted Ford\u2019s Kruse & Muer Royal Oak Cruise display next to the automaker’s electric Mach-E. Ford has high hopes for its first electric SUV in its head-to-head battle with Tesla\u2019s Model Y. It can credit a lot of that potential to the Mach 1.<\/p>\n

In style and performance (though the lack of a V-8\u00a0compromises personality), Mach-E channels many attributes of the Mach 1 legend.<\/p>\n

Alas, this Mach 1 will likely not reach the status of its ’70s predecessors. Those cars boasted multiple V-8s as well as a signature “shaker” hood-scoop\u00a0option \u2014 a mod noticeably missing on this generation. Speculation is\u00a0the 2021 Mach 1 didn\u2019t get the Full Monty because it was\u00a0meant as a menu pairing with the electric Mach-E (after all, Ford is a long way from the heady days of 1969 when the Mach 1 model alone sold nearly 80,000 copies).<\/p>\n

Whatever the reason, Mustang purists have noticed. Those folks may choose to sink their money into collecting 1970s models instead. But the good news is the 2021 Mach 1 does not make the mistakes of 1974, when Ford neutered its V-8 icon in deference to mpg concerns in the wake of the Arab oil embargo.<\/p>\n

That ’70s Show is back with governments forcing electrification. But this time, Ford has smartly separated the Mach-E while maintaining the Mach 1 as a pure expression of gas-fired muscle.<\/p>\n

For sports-car buffs craving the intersection between daily driver and weekend warrior, there are few cars better than the ’21 Mach 1.<\/p>\n

\u25ba Vehicle type:<\/strong>\u00a0Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, four-passenger\u00a0sports car<\/p>\n

\u25ba Price:<\/strong>\u00a0$54,595, including $1,195\u00a0destination fee\u00a0($58,490 as tested)<\/p>\n

\u25ba Powerplant:<\/strong>\u00a05.0-liter V-8<\/p>\n

\u25ba Power:<\/strong>\u202f480\u00a0horsepower,\u00a0420\u00a0pound-feet of torque<\/p>\n

\u25ba Transmissions:\u00a0<\/strong>6-speed manual; 10-speed automatic<\/p>\n

\u25ba Performance:\u00a0<\/strong>0-60 mph\u00a0(4.3\u00a0sec., Car and Driver); top speed, 168 mph<\/p>\n

\u25ba Weight:<\/strong>\u00a03,913\u202fpounds<\/p>\n

\u25ba Fuel economy:<\/strong>\u00a0EPA, 15 mpg city\/23\u00a0highway\/18\u00a0combined<\/p>\n

Report card<\/h3>\n

\u25ba Highs:<\/strong>\u00a0Tight handling; high-tech<\/p>\n

\u25ba Lows:<\/strong>\u00a0Lacks shaker sex-appeal of previous gens; rough drivetrain<\/p>\n

\u25ba Overall:<\/strong>\u00a03\u202fstars<\/p>\n

Henry Payne is auto critic for The Detroit News. Find him at hpayne@detroitnews.com or Twitter @HenryEPayne<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Royal Oak\u00a0\u2014 My red 2021 Mustang Mach 1 was dressed for the Woodward Dream Cruise. Muscled torso covered in black tattoos. Front spoiler out to here. Wicked black\u00a0Magnum wheels. Mesh fascia with flared nostrils. Quad tailpipes the size of ship cannons. Swaggering down Woodward Avenue on Saturday morning, I noticed a Mustang Shelby GT350 pull\u00a0up […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,87],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27833"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27833"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27833\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27834,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27833\/revisions\/27834"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27833"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27833"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27833"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}