Ford Mustang Mach 4 - The XR8 Replacement?

[5.0ALM]

Will Australia eventually see a replacement for the "best v8 performance Falcon", the XR8?

From Ford Authority:
https://fordauthority.com/2025/03/f...suggests-ford-mustang-four-door-going-global/

I wouldn't hold your breath, but stranger things have happened here!

The Great Emu War:
In 1932, Australia deployed the military to control a large population of emus that were seen as a threat to agriculture. The soldiers were unsuccessful, and the emus proved to be too difficult to control, leading to a series of defeats and making it one of the most unusual battles in history.

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[DFB5.0]

Will Australia eventually see a replacement for the "best v8 performance Falcon", the XR8?

From Ford Authority:
https://fordauthority.com/2025/03/f...suggests-ford-mustang-four-door-going-global/

I wouldn't hold your breath, but stranger things have happened here!

The Great Emu War:
In 1932, Australia deployed the military to control a large population of emus that were seen as a threat to agriculture. The soldiers were unsuccessful, and the emus proved to be too difficult to control, leading to a series of defeats and making it one of the most unusual battles in history.

So, if this happens, a 4-door Mustang "XR8" would be something like $90,000 - $100,000. At that price, it's not an XR8 replacement, of which I paid $58,000 for an XR8 back in 2014, and that included a supercharger and 500hp. Granted, 10 years progress will naturally carry a price premium, but the whole concept of the V8 powered Ford's and Holden's was how they were attainable for the average Australian.

 

[5.0ALM]

So, if this happens, a 4-door Mustang "XR8" would be something like $90,000 - $100,000. At that price, it's not an XR8 replacement, of which I paid $58,000 for an XR8 back in 2014, and that included a supercharger and 500hp. Granted, 10 years progress will naturally carry a price premium, but the whole concept of the V8 powered Ford's and Holden's was how they were attainable for the average Australian.

Agree, but everything is relative.

Fellow Battlestar Galactica fans will know of the phrase
" All of this has happened before. All of this will happen again"

The Mustang’s astounding success was not just due to this historic grand entrance and marketing campaign, but also the car’s affordability, performance, innovative look, and spirit of fun and freedom. The base model of the Mustang began at $2,368.00, making this first “pony” car accessible to many drivers.

https://corporate.ford.com/articles/history/mustang-worlds-fair.html

If you were to plug in $58k into the RBA's inflation calculator, you end up with ~$76k in 2024 money. Calculator doesn't acknowledge 2025 yet, but you easily add a few more $k now.

Add a minimum $12k price hike between generations, eg; S550 to similarly speced S650, and we're at $88k.

Add a "Ford Mustang tax" ie; we don't have much competition, and we know it, so if you want one, you'll have to bend over.

Watch Ford AU bring them in, in limited quantities to keep the wait list long, and the price artificially high.

And we're at $90 - 100k easily.

If it's a hybrid, $100k +.

 

[5.0ALM]

Ford Authority now reports the Mach 4 trademark has bin rigisterid in Nue Zeelund.

https://fordauthority.com/2025/03/n...suggests-ford-mustang-four-door-going-global/

 

[Stonehauler]

I get it that the Mustang is VERY expensive right now. There are a lot of reasons for that, but I really hope that this new vehicle...No matter if it's called Falcon, XR8, or Mach 4...comes to fruition.

I doubt it will be in place for the 2026 model year. Just not enough time and no mules being tested from what I am seeing, so unless it's ALL been purposefully hidden from prying eyes or unless it's really just a case of putting in a B pillar and adding a door and nothing else (which IMO would be the wrong way about it), then it is still probably a 2027 delivery or later.

A proper sports sedan/saloon based on the mustang platform would be something I am very interested in. I was always disappointed that the Falcon was never exported to the US like the Holden Commodore was. I think it would have been an excellent opportunity to showcase what was Ford Australia.

 

[DFB5.0]

I get it that the Mustang is VERY expensive right now. There are a lot of reasons for that, but I really hope that this new vehicle...No matter if it's called Falcon, XR8, or Mach 4...comes to fruition.

I doubt it will be in place for the 2026 model year. Just not enough time and no mules being tested from what I am seeing, so unless it's ALL been purposefully hidden from prying eyes or unless it's really just a case of putting in a B pillar and adding a door and nothing else (which IMO would be the wrong way about it), then it is still probably a 2027 delivery or later.

A proper sports sedan/saloon based on the mustang platform would be something I am very interested in. I was always disappointed that the Falcon was never exported to the US like the Holden Commodore was. I think it would have been an excellent opportunity to showcase what was Ford Australia.

As strange as this might sound, I think that was the very reason why Falcon never made it to the USA..................................not invented here syndrome.

From what I've been told, all the base engineering was done to accommodate left hand drive, as in the firewall, pass throughs and footwell. This dates back to the 2002 BA Falcon. But the internal politics between Ford AUS and Ford head office meant it was never given the green light.

 

[Stonehauler]

As strange as this might sound, I think that was the very reason why Falcon never made it to the USA..................................not invented here syndrome.

From what I've been told, all the base engineering was done to accommodate left hand drive, as in the firewall, pass throughs and footwell. This dates back to the 2002 BA Falcon. But the internal politics between Ford AUS and Ford head office meant it was never given the green light.

I think that some of what you said is true, but larger forces were also at play. At the time of the falcon’s demise, Ford US still had the Taurus, the MKS? Sorry, I have a hard time keeping the mark designations separate after the Mark VIII.m Even the Continental, plus the Ford Fusion and it’s associated Lincoln vehicle, and the Mustang, and I think that they really didn’t want to introduce yet another vehicle that might drag down sales of any or all of of these further.

while I don’t like the decision, I can certainly understand it.

 

[Stevefreestyle]

I get it that the Mustang is VERY expensive right now. There are a lot of reasons for that, but I really hope that this new vehicle...No matter if it's called Falcon, XR8, or Mach 4...comes to fruition.

I doubt it will be in place for the 2026 model year. Just not enough time and no mules being tested from what I am seeing, so unless it's ALL been purposefully hidden from prying eyes or unless it's really just a case of putting in a B pillar and adding a door and nothing else (which IMO would be the wrong way about it), then it is still probably a 2027 delivery or later.

A proper sports sedan/saloon based on the mustang platform would be something I am very interested in. I was always disappointed that the Falcon was never exported to the US like the Holden Commodore was. I think it would have been an excellent opportunity to showcase what was Ford Australia.

If they want any functional back seat they will probably have to increase the Wheelbase (and Floor) - the current S650/550 wheelbase is 2719mm whereas the FG Falcon was 2838mm

 

[Stonehauler]

If they want any functional back seat they will probably have to increase the Wheelbase - the current S650/550 is 2719mm whereas the FG Falcon was 2838mm

I completely agree

I've edited this post I made from from another thread
Based on the Mustang platform, what would need to happen, where could savings be made, what needs to happen to prevent costs from increasing beyond what people would pay?

This is all assuming that the hood length/shape remains the same. The hood is very long on a Mustang and could possibly be shorted up a bit saving length for other areas.
Mustang is 107" wheelbase according to the Google, the Falcon was 110-121. Both the Fusion and the Taurus were 112 wheelbases, so let's assume a 5-6 inch stretch and put it at 112-113" for a starting point

4 standard doors should fit at that point, but you are probably going to have a bit more overhang at the rear to push back the seats and give more usable truck space (or liftback). That adds another 3 inches...so let's call it 197-199 inches long. That's 2-4 inches (25-51mm) longer than the Aussie Falcon. For reference, the Fusion was 191, Taurus was 203.

They might be able to shorten that up a bit to 195 ish depending on how they do the rear glass. Mustang is 190 inches long and a lot of that is hood (bonnet) and glass over the trunk (boot). If all they do is a 5 inch stretch and just adjust the roofline a bit, that would still get you 195"

Same power plants as the mustang except for GT350/GT500 style engines. So even the DH engine would be on the table (especially if it becomes the default GT engine). Same Ecoboost engine as well (EDIT - maybe even have the special engines too, worked for Dodge)

RWD layout unless it uses the 3.0 or 3.5 engine as the top engine (it should use the V8 IMO). If it uses the EB 3.0/3.5, then utilize an AWD layout...and it should use the 3.5 version for the upscale engine if it doesn't use the 5.0.

Same cockpit oriented layout the current Mustang uses. The Mustang has one of the best "glass cockpit" layouts I have seen. Keep some duplicate physical controls if possible. Voice control if it can't, but I would rather not have my car listening to my conversations like MB does.

Both cloth and leather interiors as an option? Current mustang seats are okay, or upgrade to put more adjustability. NOTE, this will incur an additional weight penalty, but gain some people who want better seats. Maybe the old Thunderbird SuperCoupe Seats? I am pretty sure those would fit as the current seats feel a lot like my old T-Bird bucket seats. Are there any other current Ford seats in production that would fit and would allow a more "upscale" feel?
Should there be a cloth seat option, or just a "vegan leather" option (aka, pleather/vinyl) as the base? Remember, this should be an upscale car. This assumes no Lincoln version. If Lincoln made a version, or this whole concept came out as a Lincoln, that would throw off the pricing.

Probably a slightly higher roofline to accommodate a sunroof because they put those in everything. Higher roofline will also allow more rear seat passenger headroom as those seats will be higher as well.

Convertible option? Honestly, I don't think it's needed.
0-60 should be in the 3.9-4.1 range with 12.5 and 110-112 as the 1/4 for the top performing version. 0.95g+ on the skidpad

39k as a base model, maybe 72 fully loaded? Doesn't need the CF wheels, etc.

 

[Stevefreestyle]

I completely agree

I've edited this post I made from from another thread
Based on the Mustang platform, what would need to happen, where could savings be made, what needs to happen to prevent costs from increasing beyond what people would pay?

This is all assuming that the hood length/shape remains the same. The hood is very long on a Mustang and could possibly be shorted up a bit saving length for other areas.
Mustang is 107" wheelbase according to the Google, the Falcon was 110-121. Both the Fusion and the Taurus were 112 wheelbases, so let's assume a 5-6 inch stretch and put it at 112-113" for a starting point

4 standard doors should fit at that point, but you are probably going to have a bit more overhang at the rear to push back the seats and give more usable truck space (or liftback). That adds another 3 inches...so let's call it 197-199 inches long. That's 2-4 inches (25-51mm) longer than the Aussie Falcon. For reference, the Fusion was 191, Taurus was 203.

They might be able to shorten that up a bit to 195 ish depending on how they do the rear glass. Mustang is 190 inches long and a lot of that is hood (bonnet) and glass over the trunk (boot). If all they do is a 5 inch stretch and just adjust the roofline a bit, that would still get you 195"

Same power plants as the mustang except for GT350/GT500 style engines. So even the DH engine would be on the table (especially if it becomes the default GT engine). Same Ecoboost engine as well (EDIT - maybe even have the special engines too, worked for Dodge)

RWD layout unless it uses the 3.0 or 3.5 engine as the top engine (it should use the V8 IMO). If it uses the EB 3.0/3.5, then utilize an AWD layout...and it should use the 3.5 version for the upscale engine if it doesn't use the 5.0.

Same cockpit oriented layout the current Mustang uses. The Mustang has one of the best "glass cockpit" layouts I have seen. Keep some duplicate physical controls if possible. Voice control if it can't, but I would rather not have my car listening to my conversations like MB does.

Both cloth and leather interiors as an option? Current mustang seats are okay, or upgrade to put more adjustability. NOTE, this will incur an additional weight penalty, but gain some people who want better seats. Maybe the old Thunderbird SuperCoupe Seats? I am pretty sure those would fit as the current seats feel a lot like my old T-Bird bucket seats. Are there any other current Ford seats in production that would fit and would allow a more "upscale" feel?
Should there be a cloth seat option, or just a "vegan leather" option (aka, pleather/vinyl) as the base? Remember, this should be an upscale car. This assumes no Lincoln version. If Lincoln made a version, or this whole concept came out as a Lincoln, that would throw off the pricing.

Probably a slightly higher roofline to accommodate a sunroof because they put those in everything. Higher roofline will also allow more rear seat passenger headroom as those seats will be higher as well.

Convertible option? Honestly, I don't think it's needed.
0-60 should be in the 3.9-4.1 range with 12.5 and 110-112 as the 1/4 for the top performing version. 0.95g+ on the skidpad

39k as a base model, maybe 72 fully loaded? Doesn't need the CF wheels, etc.

Although the wheelbase in this Falcon XR8 below could be shortened a bit for any 4 Door Mustang, this is the FG-X Falcon XR8 we had in Australia (2015-6) - was fitted with a Gen1 1.9L Supercharged Coyote V8 (Miami), with a wheelbase of 2828 mm Vs 2719 mm for the current Mustang.

Comparisons with 4 Cyl & V6 cars are obviously invalid.

 

[Stonehauler]

Although the wheelbase in this Falcon XR8 below could be shortened a bit for any 4 Door Mustang, this is the FG-X Falcon XR8 we had in Australia (2015-6) - was fitted with a Gen1 1.9L Supercharged Coyote V8 (Miami), with a wheelbase of 2828 mm Vs 2719 mm for the current Mustang.

Comparisons with 4 Cyl & V6 cars are obviously invalid.

yeah, 2828mm is 111.3 inches, so a 112 inch wheelbase is fine.

 

[MaddNomad]

As strange as this might sound, I think that was the very reason why Falcon never made it to the USA..................................not invented here syndrome.

From what I've been told, all the base engineering was done to accommodate left hand drive, as in the firewall, pass throughs and footwell. This dates back to the 2002 BA Falcon. But the internal politics between Ford AUS and Ford head office meant it was never given the green light.

I mean it was invented here, but how it became legendary was a Aussie thing, probably stings a little more.

 

[brianjh20]

All in if we have a V8 option 5.0 GT or DH and please provide a manual! Sport back or wagon would be even better!
I think a lot of people will buy it as a second mustang for more daily duty with small kids

 

[DFB5.0]

I mean it was invented here, but how it became legendary was a Aussie thing, probably stings a little more.

I'm only in a Mustang (and other Ford's) because of the Falcon. The very first car I drove was a 1992 EB II Falcon GLi Wagon, in 2004 I got my drivers licensee in 2003 BA Falcon sedan, my first car was a 2001 AU III Fairmont sedan. I grew up lusting over high performance Tickford and FPV Falcon's, from the XR6 and XR8, to the T-Series and later FPV GT and F6 Typhoon. My bedroom poster cars were of Falcon's................................................

A decade later, I made that poster a reality...........................................

Every year, I'd make the trek to the FPV open day, which gave fans an insight into how the cars were finished and engine assembly.

Then there was the Stone Brother's dominance on the racetrack with cars like this, Ambrose and that Falcon were my hero's.

These were what the average Australian would aspire to have in their driveway. In high performance guise, these Falcon's were effectively "our" Mustang. So yes, when Ford US called quits in Australia, it cut deep.......................and still does. Ford had everything at their fingertips to tap into the exceptional work the Australian team could do on a shoestring budget, a budget that would only pay for the development of a single wheel in the US. These images still upset me, especially now that the Broadmeadows factory has been gutted and leveled to make way for an apartment complex. The Geelong stamping plant and engine factory have been gutted and turned into a business park, although the heritage listed facade will remain.













And for those that think the idea of "modular" platforms being a modern invention, you know, producing several models of a single model.........................................Ford were doing it right back in the late 1959 with the Falcon.

 

[MaddNomad]

I'm only in a Mustang (and other Ford's) because of the Falcon. The very first car I drove was a 1992 EB II Falcon GLi Wagon, in 2004 I got my drivers licensee in 2003 BA Falcon sedan, my first car was a 2001 AU III Fairmont sedan. I grew up lusting over high performance Tickford and FPV Falcon's, from the XR6 and XR8, to the T-Series and later FPV GT and F6 Typhoon. My bedroom poster cars were of Falcon's................................................

A decade later, I made that poster a reality...........................................

Every year, I'd make the trek to the FPV open day, which gave fans an insight into how the cars were finished and engine assembly.

Then there was the Stone Brother's dominance on the racetrack with cars like this, Ambrose and that Falcon were my hero's.

These were what the average Australian would aspire to have in their driveway. In high performance guise, these Falcon's were effectively "our" Mustang. So yes, when Ford US called quits in Australia, it cut deep.......................and still does. Ford had everything at their fingertips to tap into the exceptional work the Australian team could do on a shoestring budget, a budget that would only pay for the development of a single wheel in the US. These images still upset me, especially now that the Broadmeadows factory has been gutted and leveled to make way for an apartment complex. The Geelong stamping plant and engine factory have been gutted and turned into a business park, although the heritage listed facade will remain.








And for those that think the idea of "modular" platforms being a modern invention, you know, producing several models of a single model.........................................Ford were doing it right back in the late 1959 with the Falcon.

Maybe you should send a message to Farley on IG or on his email. I mean the whole 4 door performance thing I always thought about was the Falcon because of the legacy you guys helped build. Seems like a mockery that they would take it away just to force a 4 door Stang with no history.

I know I’d be mad if the Mustang was killed and we were forced to just take a 2 door Falcon with all the legacy the Mustang has.

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