Performance Review: Ford Mustang Mach 1 - [2003]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford Mustang Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford Mustang Mach 1 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 2003. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2004 Westfield Sport 2000S and the 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII MR FQ 400.This particular Ford Mustang has a 4601cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The Mustang shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Mustang's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1572 kgs (3465 lbs) this makes the Ford Mustang Mach 1 in the same weight category as the 2023 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 5.5 V8 C8 or the give or take 50kg.

The Ford Mustang shares the same bhp with the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp)

In terms of power the 4601cc 16V V8 engine produces 305 bhp (227 kW) @ 5800 rpm similar to the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (300 bhp) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (300 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 320 lb-ft (433.8 Nm) @ 4200 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (295 lb-ft) or the 2023 Porsche Cayenne E-Hybrid 3.0 V6 Turbo (310 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Ford Mustang you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2002 Mazda RX7 Type-R Bathurst (219.0 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Mustang.

The Ford Mustang has a Power to weight ratio of 194.0 bhp per ton and 203.5 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2003 Mustang competing with the 2002 Mazda RX7 Type-R Bathurst (219.0 bhp per ton) or the 2011 Morgan 3 Wheeler 2.0l V-Twin (219.0 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Ford Mustang generating around 203.5 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2003 Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII MR FQ 340 (228.5 lb-ft per ton) or the 1962 Ferrari 250 GTO (228.4 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.20 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.4 secs, this made the Ford Mustang Mach 1 as fast as the 2021 Honda Civic Type R 2.0 16V Limited Edition (5.20 secs) the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD (5.20 secs) the 2018 BMW X7 xDrive 50i 4.4 V8 Turbo (5.20 secs) the or the 2018 Tesla Model 3 Mid Range (5.20 secs). This Ford Mustang Mach 1 is also faster than the 2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus (5.30 secs) the 2019 Renault Megane RS 1.8 Turbo 300 Trophy-R (5.30 secs) the 2017 Mercedes G Class 63 AMG (5.30 secs) the and the 2017 Land-Rover Velar 3.0 V6 Supercharged 360 (5.30 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Mustang and the 2007 BMW 1 Series 135i 2d Coupe M-Sport

When talking about the performance of the Ford Mustang on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.1 secs @ 97.0 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2007 BMW 1 Series 135i 2d Coupe M-Sport (14.05 secs), the 1968 Jensen Interceptor FF 6.3L V8 (14.05 secs), and the 1969 Bristol 411 6.3 V8 (14.05 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2003 version of the Ford Mustang Mach 1 has a maximum speed of 156mph.

Top Speed of the 2003 Mustang equals the 2010 Dodge Challenger SRT-8 6.4 V8 392 (167 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2003 Ford Mustang Mach 1 then how about the 2010 Dodge Challenger SRT-8 6.4 V8 392 (167 mph), the 2001 TVR Chimaera 500 5.0L V8 (167 mph), or the 1993 TVR Griffith 500 (167 mph).

Related Links:

2003 Mustang Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison