Lucas Bell 
The new year will bring with it the launch of the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1. And Ford Motor Company recently confirmed that this new muscle car is going to be available as a global product, unlike the oh-so-special Shelby GT350 which it replaces. While our Old World neighbors will surely be delighted to have a chance to buy a performance-oriented Mustang, this one will come with a slight catch that has to do with the EU’s current self-destructive automotive industry policies.
Ford Europe has officially confirmed that the Euro-spec Mustang Mach 1 will be down on power compared to its American cousin. More specifically, the European variants will produce 453 horsepower and 390 ft-lb of torque. Without specifically saying so, it’s pretty clear that the reason has everything to do with emissions testing on the vehicle. By comparison, Ford rates the S550 Mach 1 at 480 horsepower and 430 ft-lb of torque in the United States. This difference in horsepower could be a result of stricter emissions regulations in Europe, or potentially something to do with the exhaust manifold design. Euro-spec S550 Mustangs were initially struck by the same issue when the exhaust manifolds were redesigned for RHD applications. This included the special edition Bullitt models as well.
Ford Europe says that the 2021 Mustang Mach 1 will be the fastest Mustang around a track ever sold on the continent, despite the power issue. The automaker hasn’t given us any specific performance metrics for the Euro-spec model quite yet, but it’s safe to say that it’ll be a bit slower than its American counterpart. We’re not saying that is how it should be, but it does seem at least a little appropriate.
Pricing for the European 2021 Mustang Mach 1 hasn’t been announced yet, but Ford did confirm a $52,915 MSRP for buyers in the States. The price will certainly be a bit higher across the pond, but demand for the Mustang across the globe is nevertheless huge. We think buyers will be more than happy to pony up for their chance to own a special edition American muscle car.
