Road Test Review Of The New 2022 Ford Mustang Mach 1
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The Ford Mustang is a true legend among cars – a favorite amongst children and adults alike. It is a muscle car, more popularly referred to as a “pony car”, that cemented the role of affordable performance coupes back when it was launched in the early-1960s. As time went on, the Mustang had to compete with other muscle cars and even some sports cars of the era. However, to keep things on an even keel (and maybe even win over more enthusiasts), Ford launched the Mustang Mach 1 in 1969. Today, over five decades later, the new 2022 Ford Mustang Mach 1 is here once again to conquer the hearts of its fans and loss of its peers – the latter is more subjective than objective.
Ford Mustang Mach 1 price and rivals in the UAE
While the base Mustang coupe is the most affordable of the breed, the new Mach 1 obviously costs more – starting at AED 291,171 here in the UAE. This means that the Mustang Mach 1 is dearer by over 100,000 dirhams when compared to the standard model. Then again, it is dearer to the heart as well, isn’t it? As with other Ford cars in the UAE, you could head over to your nearest Al Tayer Motors dealership should you want to buy one of these Mustangs. Speaking of comparisons, the new 2022 Ford Mustang Mach 1 butts heads with the likes of the Dodge Challenger SRT and the Chevrolet Camaro – both of which are impressive in their own right.
Ford Mustang Mach 1 exterior design
While the Bullitt variant of the Mustang is clearly a level above, the Mach 1 is not exactly craving for attention or being left in the dust. This is because Ford has styled this pony with its own styling cues – the front fascia boasts a shark-nosed section with faux lamp elements (a throwback to the first Mach 1 from the ‘60s), a pronounced 3-D mesh grille with a matte pony badge, and side intakes underlining the turn indicators. On top of all this, the whole of the Mustang Mach 1 sports cool-looking black accents to promote its extra sporting nature. Meanwhile, the hood features a “Mach 1” insignia supported by a signature orange & black detailing all over the exterior.
This design language goes along quite well with the Mach 1’s custom front splitter, unique 19-inch magnetic-painted aluminium wheels backed by swanky orange brake calipers and wrapped with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires, orange side stripes and extended side skirts plus large “Mach 1” badging above the front fenders. On a side note, the fake vents on the hood do take away some of the magic that is otherwise prevalent all over here.
However, if you get the optional Appearance Package with its exclusive Fighter Jet Grey paint scheme, black side decals with orange detailing and hood stripes, you have got a cracker of a Mustang! On the rear of the Mach 1 however, the design is almost similar to the standard Mustang. That said, this special edition gets a “Mach 1” badge on the tailgate, while also scoring a different quad-tailpipe, air diffuser and rear spoiler arrangement to the regular Mustang.
Credits source: Al Tayer Ford Middle East Website (https://www.altayermotors.com/ford/new-models/ford-mustang-mach-1/)
Ford Mustang Mach 1 interior design and feel
Being a new-age Mustang, the interior of the 2022 Mach 1 is pretty well-equipped. It has almost every tech that one can imagine a muscle car can have, practically speaking. On the other hand, it is nothing that will blow your cranium to smithereens. In fact, the plasticky paddle shifters feel downright cheap, and Ford could have fitted more upscale-feeling paddles here. However, the Recaro sports seats look fantastic and keep you in place without making you feel like you are being squished too much. These front chairs are backed up by swanky-looking aluminium instrument panel and custom trim accents that are all unique to the Mach 1. Similarly, each of these Mustangs come with their own “Mach 1” badges plus the car’s unique chassis number.
Credits source: Al Tayer Ford Middle East Website (https://www.altayermotors.com/ford/new-models/ford-mustang-mach-1/)
Apart from the great seats upfront, the Mustang Mach 1’s cabin feels almost similar to the standard Mustang 5.0 coupe. There are the usual (but cool) flip-style toggle switches on the center console, but then there’s also scuff plates with backlit “Mach 1” logo and contrasting orange bits dotted here and there. Of course, the build quality is not that great (something you would have guessed since this is a Mustang, after all), but you learn to live with it. And as you would have guessed by now as well the rear seats are pretty useless – again, something most prospective Mustang buyers are aware of. As for the boot space, 408 liters is better than what the standard Camaro boasts – but then Ford thought it would be a wonderful idea to store the spare tire in here, thereby robbing you of actual storage space.
Credits source: Al Tayer Ford Middle East Website (https://www.altayermotors.com/ford/new-models/ford-mustang-mach-1/)
Ford Mustang Mach 1 features and safety equipment
While the Mustang Mach 1 may not set records for being the most-equipped muscle car, it does offer quite a bit of standard kit. The main highlights here include auto headlamps & windshield wipers, keyless entry with push-button ignition, power-operated & climate-controlled front seats, optional adaptive cruise control, dual-zone auto climate control, a customizable 11.2-inch digital gauge cluster, leather upholstery, an optional Bang & Olufsen premium audio system, and an 8-inch SYNC 3 touchscreen infotainment head unit with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay.
As for the 2022 Mustang Mach 1’s safety equipment, it can be had with Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Information System, Cross-Traffic Alert, Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Keeping System, 8 airbags, plus Electronic Stability Control with Traction Control, of course. The latter may or may not be useful if you want to act like a hooligan in this ‘stang.
Ford Mustang Mach 1 powertrain and performance
Unlike the regular GT variant of the Mustang, Ford engineers have tuned this 5.0-liter naturally-aspirated V8 so that it now churns out 480hp and 624Nm of peak torque – of course, all the while sounding like the true and untamed pony that it is. This motor spins the rear wheels only (as is the tradition with Mustangs) via a 10-speed automatic gearbox, propelling this beast from 0-100 kph in around 4.5 seconds and onto a top whack of just under 250 kph.
Obviously, if you are buying a V8-powered muscle car, fuel economy won’t be something that will keep you up at night – just so you know, the Mach 1 should return about 11.8 L/100 km (8.4 kpl). But, of course, you will not see this figure in the real world unless you are blessed by the most favorable conditions.
Should you buy the Ford Mustang Mach 1?
As I said in the beginning of this article, there’s a subjective element involved when buying a muscle car with an old-school and thirsty V8 engine. Whether you want one in your parking space or not is entirely dependent on how much this American brute tickles your nether regions when you take it for a test drive. With a sticker price just shy of AED 300,000, this Mustang is for those who really want the pony that they know inside out (even if they would just drive it on a track occasionally).
