Vehicle News: The Ford Mustang R-Spec is a collaboration between Ford Australia engineers and Melbourne-based Herrod Performance, the largest distributor of Ford Performance Parts outside North America.
While there are no official performance claims, the same Ford Performance supercharger kit offered in the USA is rated at an epic 522kW of power and a staggering 830Nm of torque – up from the standard 5.0-litre V8’s output of 339kW and 556Nm.
At 700 horsepower in the old money, it makes this car the most powerful vehicle Ford has ever sold in Australia.
The Ford Mustang R-Spec will be assembled inside one of Ford’s old factories at Broadmeadows, not far from the Falcon production line that rolled to a stop in 2016.
All cars will be individually numbered from 1 to 500 and come with unique wheels, exhaust, suspension and decals.
Only a six-speed manual transmission will be available. The 10-speed automatic is not an option and the company says there are no plans to add one.
For the tech heads, the Mustang R-Spec uses a Ford Performance roots-type positive displacement supercharger, which is said to deliver a smoother throttle response. According to Ford it is “a potent yet refined, comfortable daily-driver”.
“With a 2.65-litre capacity and 12psi of boost, it enables more power throughout the rev range with reduced noise and vibration for greater refinement and comfort,” the statement from Ford says.
The system includes an aluminium high efficiency intercooler and full-face radiator, fed by the larger front air intake unique to the R-Spec.
The supercharger was developed by Ford Performance in the USA in partnership with Roush Performance. However, local assembly will be done by Herrod Performance at a shared facility with Ford at Broadmeadows.
