Ford Australia reveals 500kW Mustang

We told you it was coming and now it’s here! That’s right, Ford Australia has finally unleashed its locally-developed 500kW supercharged V8 Mustang R-Spec.

Just 500 individually numbered and badged Ford Mustang R-Specs will be offered through Ford Australia’s nationwide dealer network from early 2020 at a recommended price of $99,980 (plus on-road costs).

While that’s big bucks for a Mustang, it undercuts the awesome HSV-converted Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 by $60,000 and will outpower the supercharged 477kW small block Chev V8 as well.

Available only as a fastback with a six-speed manual gearbox, the Ford Mustang R-Spec taps into Ford Performance’s comprehensive catalogue of go-fast bits, including a Roush stage three 2.65-litre roots-type positive displacement supercharger with 12PSI of boost.

In the USA, this blower ups the Mustang 5.0-litre V8’s outputs to 710hp and 610 lb-ft of torque. Down Under that translates to 522kW and 827Nm. In standard atmo form, the Mustang makes 339kW/556Nm.

What does that mean in a straight line? Ford is making no claims, but launch control-assisted sub-4sec 0-100km/h dashes must surely be achievable.

In addition to powertrain components, the Ford Mustang R-Spec also includes a unique exhaust, suspension upgrades and bespoke design flourishes.

As well as big bucks and big performance, the Ford Mustang R-Spec will come with a full five-year/unlimited km warranty. The warranty is supported by Ford Australia and the vehicle’s co-developer and second-stage manufacturer, Herrod Performance (owned by local Ford tuning legend, Rob Herrod).

Standard servicing will cost $299 for the first 24 months or 40,000km, but due to the added complexity of the first supercharged Mustang to be sold by Aussie Ford dealers, the Ford Mustang R-Spec will be serviced every six months rather than the 12 months required by the standard GT Fastback.

None of the performance and dress-up parts of the Mustang R-Spec will be offered by Ford Australia to existing Mustang owners. That said some remain available via the Ford Performance catalogue.

The Ford Mustang R-Spec is hugely significant because it is a local project rather than an import from Ford Performance in the USA.

Its development has been driven by strong demand for supercharged Mustangs since the iconic muscle car was launched in factory right-hand-drive form Australia in 2016.

The local solution was also required because a right-hand drive business case for current generation GT350 and GT500 Shelby Mustangs developed by Ford Performance in the USA was ruled out.

Ford’s Australian based engineering and design teams and Herrod Performance, the largest Ford Performance parts distributor outside North America, co-operatively developed the Mustang R-Spec.

As the second-stage manufacturer of the R-Spec, Herrod Performance does all the modification work. Ford Australia has confirmed the Mustang R-Spec does however have full Australian Design Rule (ADR) certification [Updated]. Earlier attempts by Ford Australia to sell a supercharged Mustang had been tripped up by ADR issues in the past.

The Mustang’s supercharger kit includes an aluminium high-efficiency intercooler and full-face radiator, fed by a larger front air intake specific to R-Spec.

A unique Herrod Performance exhaust is promised to provide a unique soundtrack for the R-Spec and can still be adjusted through Mustang’s Active Exhaust function.

Firmer Ford Performance springs lower the Mustang R-SPEC by 20mm compared to the regular Mustang GT and are teamed with MagneRide suspension as standard.

The MagneRide system has a unique software calibration for the Vehicle Dynamics Module (VDM), which adjusts the damping rate 100 times a second, and is intelligent enough know that the Mustang R-SPEC sits lower.

The handling package also includes Ford Performance adjustable stabiliser bars that measure 37mm (+5mm) front and 25.2mm (+3mm) rear, for greater control and agility.

Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres as standard provide three different compounds across the treadface for greater dry grip and reduced rolling resistance. The black 19-inch Ford Performance alloy wheels are 9.5-inchers at the front, and 10-inchers at the rear. This is an increase of 0.5mm for both.

The Mustang R-Spec development work and program has included considerable testing and validation at Ford’s You Yangs Proving Ground, with exterior design work carried out at the Broadmeadows-based design studio.

Ranger Raptor designer Dave Dewitt led the exterior enhancement program.

Key Mustang R-Spec features include a unique rear wing, 19-inch Ford Performance alloy wheels, unique lower front valence with larger air intake and black surrounds for the LED daytime running lights and side stripes that hark back to the FPV GT R-Spec.

Interior presentation and spec is as per the 2020 Mustang GT. Equipment includes SYNC 3 with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone compatibility as standard, including voice-activated sat-nav and climate control functions.

In addition, the 8.0-inch full-colour touchscreen also hosts compatible smartphone apps such as Spotify, which plays via a B&O Play nine-speaker audio system, which includes a sub-woofer.

Standard Driver Assist Technology on the Mustang R-Spec includes Autonomous Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection, as well as Lane Departure Warning with Lane Keep Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control and self-levelling headlights.