FPV Mustang: Sweet Dream

This is one Sweet Dream that almost became a reality, yet turned into, if not a nightmare, then at least something of a disappointment.

We reported last month that Ford’s hopes of offering factory-backed go-fast Mustangs have been dashed by an inability to pass the drive-by noise regulations as specified by the Australian Design Rules.

Or, more accurately, an unwillingness to spend the money required to find an engineering solution to the problem. It’s a blow for Ford, though a boon to aftermarket outfits like Herrod Performance, who are able to supply the exact same supercharger kit with ADR compliance.

So we’re left to wonder what might have been, as with no right-hand drive Shelby program on the cards, the current 306kW/530Nm V8 GT is as hot a Mustang as you’ll find in a Ford dealership, at least until the upgraded model arrives sometime in 2018.

Perhaps its arrival will prompt Ford to make another attempt, as with our local Blue Oval muscle gone and Holden’s soon to follow, there’s going to be plenty of people looking to fill a V8-shaped hole.

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Here’s how we’d do it

What’s in a name?

Obviously we’re being a bit cheeky by using the FPV badge and logo, as any factory fast ’Stangs would presumably use the new Ford Performance (FP) branding that encompasses everything from the Focus RS to the GT supercar.

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Toy box

Ford Australia had the benefit of digging into the Ford Performance catalogue, which is essentially an enormous toy box filled with all manner of factory-backed performance parts. The FP website lists 131 parts for the 2015-2017 Mustang alone, though sadly as we’ve discovered, while the parts may pass Ford’s guidelines, they don’t necessarily pass Australia’s.

Pony party

Central to Ford Australia’s power plans was the addition of a Roush Performance Stage 3 supercharger kit, which adds 9psi of boost to take power to a neat 500kW, all backed by the factory warranty. It’s fair to say that the 5.0-litre Coyote V8 is one tough bit of gear.

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Pick a part

In terms of chassis modifications it’s simply a matter of cherry-picking the choice bits from the FP catalogue. GT350R brake kit? Yep. Track Handing Pack? Bring it on. Stronger driveshafts? Probably a good idea with 60 per cent more power to handle.

Come ’n’ get it

Even a fully loaded 500kW Ford Performance Mustang shouldn’t have stretched the bank much beyond $80,000, which is a hell of a lot of car for the money. Of course, you can go and buy just such a vehicle right now, the only difference being you’ll need to talk to blokes like Rob Herrod rather than Ford.