2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 Handling Package Wheels Were Inspired By “Bird's Nests" - autoevolution

Best described as the pinnacle of Coyote V8 performance, the Mustang Mach 1 can be improved by the Handling Package. The order books are scheduled to open on January 4th, and this option will set you back $3,500 on top of the starting price, namely $52,915 including freight.

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Available with the six-speed manual transmission or the 10R automatic, the Handling Package consists of adjustable top strut mounts, a swing rear spoiler with the Gurney flap of the Shelby GT500, special tuning for the chassis, and a front splitter. Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 rubber shoes are also included, along with 19-inch aluminum wheels with a dark finish.

According to Ford Motor Company designer Mark Kaski, who used to work at GM until 2009, these alloys have been “inspired by the construction of objects ranging from bird’s nests to bridges and roll cages.” There’s no denying the layering is special, and looking back at every S550 variant before the Mach 1, I can’t think of a more intricate design for the Mustang.

In addition to the superlative looks, these wheels “bring on-track benefits such as structural integrity for hard cornering and a two-pound weight drop from the standard wheels despite being one inch wider.” If numbers are of the essence, I think we can all agree that carbon-fiber wheels like those on the Shelby GT350R and Shelby GT500 are much superior to these bad boys.

Under the hood, the Mach 1 belts out 480 horsepower and 420 pound-feet (570 Nm) of torque thanks to hardware improvements lifted from the Bullitt. The most obvious modifications over the bone-stock Coyote V8 are the throttle bodies, PCM, intake manifold, and induction system. Ford couldn’t make a case for a classy Shaker Hood because the air vent is located in the upper right. In other words, the Shaker Hood would be non-functional.

Scheduled to arrive at U.S. and Canadian dealerships in the spring of 2021, the newest pony of them all will be available in Europe as well. Still, there’s a bit of a catch. Due to draconic emissions regulations in the Old Continent, the DOHC engine will be downtuned to 460 PS (454 horsepower) and 529 Nm (390 pound-feet) of torque, the same figures as the European Bullitt.