The R-Spec badge returns to the Ford Australia line-up with this facelifted 6th-generation of the Blue Oval’s muscled-up Pony. They’ll be offering 500 examples of the special edition Mustang, each armed with a supercharged V8 that delivers in excess of 500kW and 800Nm to light up its rear wheels.
Created as a collaborative effort between Ford Australia and Herrod Performance, the new homegrown Mustang will be available for pre-order from October 10th with deliveries slated to start in early 2020 with prices starting at $99,980 plus on-road costs.
The car is a true enthusiast’s dream, and will soon be the range-topping stallion only until it’s toppled by the GT500. However, with drive being channelled exclusively through a 6-speed manual transmission, it offers driver’s a degree of analogue control that the latter car’s Tremec dual-clutch unit can’t match.
“Herrod Performance is so proud to be able to work with Ford on this special collaboration, bringing a unique Mustang R-SPEC equipped with genuine Ford Performance Parts, and honed with the expertise of both Ford Australia and Herrod Performance teams,” said Rob Herrod, Managing Director, Herrod Performance.
For a brief period, then, the Australian range of Ford Mustangs will offer a variant that’s naturally aspirated, turbocharged, and soon, supercharged. It wouldn’t surprise us to have learned that the R-Spec’s order books were filled up at a ridiculous rate.
Under the bonnet we find the familiar Coyote 5.0 V8 attached to a roots-type positive displacement supercharger with a capacity of 2.65-litres and tuned to deliver 12PSI of boost. Each R-Spec also receives a full face radiator and high efficiency intercooler to ensure temperature stability, hidden behind the updated fascia that adds a lower front valance and larger intake unique to the R-Spec.
Visually, it adds matte black stripes decals that run the length of the car, side stripes that call back to the Falcon FPV R-Spec and new gloss black rear spoiler. A Herrod Performance exhaust system has also been fitted and made to work with the car’s included Active Exhaust management controls, with Quiet, Normal, Sport, and Race Track modes selectable via steering wheel mounted buttons.
At least 160kW and 240Nm are added to R-Spec over the Mustang GT, well over what was previously the most potent Mustang sold in Australia, the Bullitt. To make full use of the increased performance, the R-Spec receives firmer Ford Performance springs for a 20mm reduced ride height, which work in tandem with the standard MagnaRide adaptive dampers.
New Ford Performance front and rear stabiliser bars have been added to further improve handling, and at each corner are matte black19-inch Ford Performance alloys in a +0.5mm fitment wearing Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres.
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