First Mustang R-spec signed off

Ford Australia has officially signed off on the first finished Mustang R-spec ahead of the model’s delivery to dealerships.

Costing $99,980 plus on-road costs, just 500 R-specs are being produced by Ford and Herrod Performance, all of which will be individually numbered and badged.

The occasion was marked last week when Ford Australia and New Zealand chief executive Kay Hart joined Herrod Performance boss Rob Herrod and the R-spec production team in Melbourne to sign off on Build #001.

“It’s so great to be here with Rob and the team with the Mustang R-spec Build #001 – it has been a passion project for us all,” Ms Hart said.

“It’s fantastic to be able to celebrate with the team that has worked so hard to reach this milestone, enabling us to bring a supercharged Mustang to Australian customers.”

Mr Herrod said the day was a special one and the result of a huge team effort.

“The Mustang R-spec is something that we are very proud of,” he said.

“We are humbled by the passion and enthusiasm for the car since we showed it late last year and had the great Dick Johnson himself drive around Mount Panorama, Bathurst.”

While official power figures are yet to be released, the R-spec features Roush-based 12 psi, 2.65-litre supercharger kit, which when applied aftermarket to the 5.0-litre V8, produces 522kw of power and 827Nm of torque – up 179kw and 258Nm – so a kilowatt count north of 500 and more than 800Nm is well and truly on the cards.

To allow the blown V8 to breathe out as well as it breathes in, Herrod has also fitted an active sports exhaust with four noise settings accessed via buttons on the steering wheel ranging from ‘quiet’ to ‘racetrack’.

The standard GT’S suspension has been upgraded using thicker Ford Performance adjustable stabiliser bars front and rear – 5mm and 3mm thicker than standard.

The R-spec also rides 20mm lower than its GT donor car.

Ford designer David Dewitt said visual pizzazz was also a priority, as well as performance.

“That starts with the stance, and the unique 19-inch Ford Performance alloy wheels combined with the Ford Performance suspension package,” he said.

“When we combine these functional upgrades with the unique design cues, the result is a meaner, more aggressive attitude and more flattering silhouette, the car just looks ready to go.”

These design cues include black decals and stripes, unique lower front valance and spoiler, bigger intake, blackened headlight surrounds and black Pony badge.

Despite various reports claiming all 500 R-specs had been sold, Ford Australia product communications manager Damion Smy assured Goauto that some examples of the flagship muscle car were still available.

“All 500 are allocated to dealers, and the majority sold, so we’d suggest to readers to contact their preferred Ford dealer to avoid disappointment,” he said.

“We’re delighted with the enthusiasm and passion for Mustang R-spec, which is the very reason we worked with Herrod Performance to bring a supercharged Mustang to Australia through our national dealer network.”

With the first car finished and ready for delivery and most of the others already spoken for, Mr Smy did not say what was next for the Mustang Down Under, but did hint this might not be the only chapter in the home-grown performance Pony.

“The collaboration with Herrod Performance to deliver the R-spec to Ford showrooms was a great opportunity to answer customer demand for a supercharged Mustang, and will help us in working with customers and enthusiasts in what we offer in the future,” he said.

The rest of the Mustang R-specs will arrive in showrooms shortly, boasting a factory-backed five-year warranty.

Last year Ford shifted 3948 Mustangs nationally, down more than 38 percent on 2018’s 6412 units, but still accounted for more than half of the sub-$80,000 sportscar market.