Tickford reveals Mustang TA500

High-performance Ford tuning specialist Tickford has unveiled a new permanent member of its modified Mustang model line-up dubbed the TA500.

To be joined later by a supercharged TA750, the TA500 is designed to be a one-stop shop for owners of MY18 and newer Mustangs looking for a package of both mechanical and cosmetic upgrades.

It is a different direction for Tickford, which has previously offered special editions, performance packs and individual add-on parts rather than ongoing Mustang models in its line-up.

The Mustang TA500 has been released to coincide with this week’s Bathurst 1000, in which sister organisation Tickford Racing has four Mustang Supercars entries including one of the combinations favoured to win the race, Cam Waters and Will Davison.

As reported, Ford itself is expected to announce this week that the Ford Mustang Mach 1  will be made available Down Under, with the hotter ex-factory pony car to fill the gap between the Mustang GT and the not-for-Australia hard-core Shelby GT350 and GT500.

The Tickford Mustang TA500 is also the second new tuned Mustang to be rolled out in the past few days following on from the SM17, a special edition developed by Rob Herrod to celebrate the career of triple Supercars champion and defending Bathurst winner Scott McLaughlin.

But while the SM17 is a supercharged monster, the TA500 is meant to be a subtler progression from the standard vehicle.

Tickford promises to have those after a wilder experience covered with the supercharged Mustang TA750.

Full details of the TA750 haven’t been released yet, but you can guarantee it’s going to be a bit more than the $16,250 (plus car) the TA500 is going to cost.

Tickford chief operating officer Andy Gilbert explained the philosophy of the TA500, equating it to the step-up Ford customers used to make from such models as a Ford Falcon XR8 to a Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) GT.

“We have a select range of well-engineered products for somebody to enhance their Mustang and we’ve had quite a few customers ask, ‘Can you put a package together?’” he said.

“We started thinking about that rather than another Mustang enhancement piece. We decided to create another model car and that led to the TA500 and the TA750.

“They are not a special edition, they are two new models. We wanted to do a car that resonated with Ford fans so they have their own name and brand.”

The TA in TA500 is a contraction of Tickford Automotive while the 500 is less defined. One explanation is it is the output in horsepower if the Tickford cold air box option is ticked (see below for more on that).

As standard, a new Tickford-engineered cat-back exhaust that is compatible with the Mustang’s active exhaust valve is the only alteration to the TA500 powertrain. The Coyote V8’s 339kW (454hp) output remains unaltered.

Suspension modifications include 25mm lower springs and front and rear strut braces. Retunes are compatible for cars with and without MagneRide adaptive dampers.

Outside you can pick the Mustang TA500 by its sweeping C-shaped decal, low-rise rear spoiler that differs from coupe to convertible because they have different boots, a gloss black rear decklid panel, black mirror caps, TA500 badges, build plate and black pony badge in the grille.

The TA500 rolls on 20-inch Tickford multi-spoke alloys, measuring 9.5 inches up front and 11 inches at the rear. Tyres are 275/30R20 Michelin Pilot Sport 4S at the front and 295/25R20s at the rear.

Inside, the steering wheel features red stitching, there’s a leather console lid, carbon-look boots for the handbrake and gear lever, a black gear knob, TA500 floor mats and another build plate.

If all that’s not enough there’s a bunch of options to add on including that tuned cold air intake, ECU recalibration, 700hp and 750hp Roush supercharger upgrades, a Wilwood brake package with six-piston front callipers, retro-style silver Mini-lite wheels and full leather interior.

We’d suggest plenty of that stuff might be part of the Mustang TA750 equipment list, but we’ll wait and see.

The TA500 and TA750 join a Tickford Mustang product range that includes the Trans Am special edition, the previous Bathurst ’77, performance packs for older (2015-17) as well as newer post-’18 Mustangs and add-on components.

Tickford also offers packs and pieces for Ford Ranger and Ford Everest and a performance pack for the Performax-converted Ford F-150 full-size pick-ups.