The legendary “Mach 1” name, which first appeared on a souped-up, performance variant of the Ford Mustang in 1969, will officially return in the not-too-distant future, Ford has confirmed. The nameplate will adorn “a performance battery-electric coming in 2020,” Ford President of Global Markets Jim Farley told journalists at the 2018 North American International Auto Show today.
It’s still far too early for Ford to reveal many specifics, but from the sounds of it, Ford isn’t fixing to apply the name to a future Mustang this time around. Rather, Ford North America Product Communications Manager Mike Levine tweeted that the Mach 1 would be a “high performance battery electric SUV.” He later clarified to Jalopnik that Ford is “researching the name ‘Mach 1′” to see how customers feel about it living again on the back of such a product.
Is that all the news? Heck no. High performance battery electric SUV coming soon! #FordNAIAS #Mach1 pic.twitter.com/0mxCuz0Pg6
— Mike Levine (@mrlevine) January 14, 2018
Interestingly, Ford previously announced that a hybrid version of the Ford Mustang would arrive in the future, saying that the hybrid system would be designed to prioritize driving fun and performance – not just efficiency. If you ask us, that car seems like a much more natural fit for the “Mach 1” name.
Comments
Hell no! If you’re not going to bring back the Mach 1 as a v8 hot rod, don’t bring it back at all! Wtf ford?!? The Mach 1 was slotted above the gt but below the gt500. No hybrid pos should ever be higher than the gt. Honestly ford should drop the 2.3l ecoboost for the 2.7l ecoboost with 335hp/380tq keep the 5.0l gt models, drop the gt350 for a n/a 5.2l 500hp Mach 1 and up top should be a 750hp gt500. Honestly I would love to see ford drop everything below the 350hp/350tq2.3l along with dropping the fiesta and the focus, redesign the fusion on the upcoming s650 platform with rwd/awd setup with a hybrid version and two high performance versions and call it the falcon. Upgrade the mustang to the s650 platform with the upgrades and models I mentioned before, drop the ecosport and the escape keep the explorer and expedition, add the bronco and keep the truck lineup as it with upgrades to the f-150 and call it a day
Okay, Ford this whole battery-electric performance SUV mach 1 thing is a bad idea. If you’re going to resurrect the Mach 1 name it needs to be on a V8 powered mustang. An N/A 5.2L V8 mustang with 530hp, a 10-speed auto w/ the 6-speed manual option, the hybrid version of the Focus RS differential, a revised magnetic ride suspension setup, big 15″ brembo brakes with 6-piston calipers and 2-pc rotors, a Mach-1 interior, mach-1 specific headlamps, Mach 1 graphics, Mach-1 specific wheels, a high flow grille with two square fog lamps, Mach 1 specific interior with the ’69 style mach 1 Recaro seats, a thicker rimmed heated steering wheel, Mach 1 specific gauge cluster and dash, upgraded stereo and navigation, mach 1 specific interior door panels with alcantara and leather surfaces, a pedestal style rear spoiler, a functional, non-shaker ram air hood scoop, revised tri-y “Hi-PO” mid-length exhaust manifolds, a special quad-tip exhaust system with a dual side exit exhaust system that opens on race mode along with Mach-1 specific dual mode quad tip mufflers and no center resonator and new colors such as Black Jade Metallic , calypso coral and that new green.
There is also room for a Mustang under the 5.0L GT and that is a 2.7L 335hp/380tq V6 Mustang ST that would replace the 2.3L ecoboost and be a better contender to the V6 Camaro. That kind of car with a Performance pack would be an amazing entry level sports car.