2021 Mustang Mach 1 Handling Package is the Wheel Deal
Photo: Ford
On Monday, Ford opened up the order banks for the all-new 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 and its newly announced Handling Package. Building on an already bonkers pony car that Ford says will be the most track-capable 5.0-liter V8-powered Mustang yet, the Handling Package wheels are being hailed as a “masterpiece” by their creator.
The man behind the Ford Mustang Mach 1 Handling Package wheels is Mark Kaski, who’s more than a bit familiar with Mustangs. In his decade with Ford, Kaski has been in charge of designing most of the Mustang’s wheel designs. He was, of course, crucial in making the upcoming Mustang Mach-E feel like the real deal. Dude really knows his stuff when it comes to wheels. And when it comes to cooking up a good analogy.
And they ll influence future wheel designs.
In exactly one week s time, the order books for the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 will open. But if you re still on the fence about buying one, the Blue Oval has provided us with a closer look at the insanely cool wheels that come with the optional Handling Package.
These 19-inch Tarnished Dark-painted cast-aluminum wheels feature what s described as a layered construction not often found on production models giving it a three-dimensional look. They re also one-inch wider at the base compared to the standard Mach 1 wheels and yet are two pounds lighter. Ford says these wheels are extremely beneficial for track purposes as they offer structural integrity for hard cornering. They also ride on proper track rubber, specifically a set of Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2s.
Five Things To Know About the 2021 Mustang Mach 1’s Handling Package Wheels
Limited Edition Mustang Mach 1 gets unique handling package wheels to add muscle and performance to the upcoming pony car. The all-new 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 Handling Package will be available to order on Jan. 4, reaching showrooms in the spring.
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We are learning more and more about the upcoming Mustang Mach 1. It’s important to emphasize that number over a letter, for fear of losing the interest of the Mustang Mach-E haters out there.
And while I’ve written plenty about the electrified crossover Mustang of late, and garnered plenty of harsh comments, writing about the V8 muscle car replacement for the GT350 and Bullitt always seems to bring excitement back to the Mustang enthusiasts.
You know the Maserati Birdcage, now meet the Ford bird nest… wheels. Although you may have seen them already, Ford Mustang is now revealing the advantages of these Mach 1-exclusive wheels.
Not only are bird nests suitable for egg coddling, they’re surprisingly strong, too. To be fair, the specific technique being employed here–that being the layering of long straight line (or spokes) behind shorter, angled lines (again, spokes)–is also used in bridge design. But that’s neither fun nor a particularly surprising source of inspiration.
The effect, here looking like a very busy and attractive Y-spoke wheel, is not unheard of, but is usually the province of show cars and other non-road-going vehicles.
2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1 Wheels Are Inspired By A Bird s Nest ++ The layered spokes on the Handling package are heavily inspired by our avian friends.
The new Ford Mustang Mach 1 has a few unique visual cues that separate it from the rest of the pack, like faux fog lights in the grille, the three-prong spoiler, and the retro badging. But one design element you might have overlooked is the wheels, which – according to designer Mark Kaski – are designed specifically to look like a bird s nest.
The Mustang Mach 1 s wheels, when equipped with the optional Handling Package, use what Ford calls a bird s nest design. Longer, straighter Y-spokes sit behind a layer of thicker, more-pronounced spokes, creating a stacked 3D effect. And even though this 19-inch set is one-inch wider than the standard Mach 1 wheels, the Tarnished Dark-painted cast aluminum construction and unique layered design actually makes them nearly two pounds lighter.