Once you see it, you can't quite unsee it and for all the good reasons. This is the Ford Mustang R-Spec, a GT-based limited-edition variant built in RHD only for the Australian market that features a plethora of Ford Performance parts, a Roush supercharger, and an active exhaust. That makes it the first supercharged Mustang to be sold through Ford dealers. With all the goodies that have been crammed in the R-Spec, power goes all the way up to 700 horsepower and 610 pound-feet of torque or about 170 horsepower and 180 torques over the Mustang Shelby GT350. At $67,500 in Oz, this could just be a great bang for the buck if you can get your hands on one of the 500 examples that will be made.

It's been five years since Australian Blue Oval fans have been mourning the loss of Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV), Ford Australia's division that used to turn around the really quick Fords at the antipodes. While nothing can replace a Falcon with all of FPV's go-fast features added to it, the R-Spec Mustang is a nice addition to the sports car's lineup in Australia where, until now, all you had to choose from when it came to 'special' Mustangs was the Bullitt - and only 700 of those have been made for the 2019 MY (the R-Spec is part of the 2020 MY Mustang lineup).

2020 Ford Mustang R-Spec

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2020 Ford Mustang R-Spec
  • Horsepower: 700
  • Torque: 610
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

What Makes the 2020 Ford Mustang R-Spec Special?

Oftentimes, the Mustang acts as a statement about its owner. And if you buy an R-Spec Mustang, especially in the Grabber Lime gleam-in-the-dark color you see here, you're going to make quite a statement out there. The car stands on its own two feet as a more powerful version of the 5.0-liter V-8-engined GT that's the result of a collaboration between Herrod Performance, the biggest distributor of Ford Performance parts in Australia and anywhere in the world but for North America, and Ford. That makes the R-Spec a genuine Ford product that can be bought through a Ford dealer with a five-year warranty without a limit on the miles you cover in this period. It's also not exempt from the Ford Service Benefits program, just like your run-of-the-mill Focus or Mondeo.

Now, we know that when you picture a 'green Mustang,' what you probably have in mind is a Highland Green Bullitt 'Stang, but, arguably, the lime green R-Spec makes an even bigger impression on the average passersby. The stripes, however, are there to stay. Happily, though, there's a bevy of visual changes besides the custom paint job.

In the front, the R-Spec features the divided grille features a black Mustang logo atop the equally black mesh. The black indicator surrounds, black mesh in the lower inlet, and the lip spoiler below the edge of the front bumper are all typical GT elements, but that lower inlet in the valance is bigger. The hood is stock, but the tips of the rearward-facing vents are painted in black to complement the triple-element stripe that runs the length of the body but ends at the top of the big grille in the front.

Viewed from the side, the R-Spec stands out thanks to its curving black striping that starts from the 5.0 logo aft of the front wheel arches and extends all the way back above the rocker panels and black side skirts across the car's wheelbase and then, behind the rear wheels on the rear overhangs. The rims themselves are Y-spoked 19-inch Ford Performance alloys painted black, hugged by Michelin Pilot Sport 4S rubber. The exterior rear-view mirror housing is also blacked out.

Not nearly as big as its brothers fitted to either the GT350 or the GT500, it's still different from the wing on the standard Mustang GT. Below the wing, the smoked center panel features the special R-Spec logo in black lettering, which makes it hard for people to see that you're not driving just any other Mustang. The black surround of the rear three-piece taillights is standard on any GT, as is the quad exhaust.

Overall, the Mustang R-Spec is a noticeable departure from the GT only if you order it in Grabber Lime as the black rims and other blacked-out details are hardly noticeable given the GT's already out-there appearance without any addons. You can say Ford could've put a little more effort into making the R-Spec a tad more unique, but, at least, the endless oomph makes up for the not-so-exciting exterior.

But, before we talk about the things that make the Mustang R-Spec go at a significant rate of speed, as well as corner and stop proficiently, let's take a look inside. You'll take a seat in the standard GT leather-wrapped bucket seats facing the three-spoke steering wheel and the 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster behind it that's there for you to toggle through the R-Spec's drive modes and steering modes (and more, of course). The active exhaust, updated for a meatier sound and a few droplets of added performance, can also be fiddled with via options on the display, as well as the Launch Control function that adds a rev marker on the digital tachometer to let you know when to shift up.

The SYNC 32 system that's running in all 2020 MY Mustangs is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible, and it can also operate Spotify as well as other apps. The list of up-market features inside the R-Spec is bookended by the Bang & Olufsen Play nine-speaker audio system, which includes a sub-woofer.

The party piece of the 2020 Mustang R-Spec is the 2.65-liter Ford Performance roots positive displacement supercharger with up to 12 psi of boost. Strapped to the third-gen 5.0-liter Coyote V-8, it unlocks more power without losing points in the refinement section. An all-aluminum intercooler and full-face radiator work with the supercharger. With the supercharger and the Herrod active exhaust - that features the 'Quiet,' 'Normal,' 'Sport,' and 'Race Track' modes, the R-Spec brings to the table 700 horsepower and 610 pound-feet of twist.

For comparison's sake, a bone-stock GT's Coyote V-8 sans supercharger puts out 460 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 420 torques at 6,200 rpm. It trumps the next powerful U.S. Mustang, the GT350R, by 173 horsepower while a Bullitt Mustang puts out just 480 horsepower. It's noteworthy that the GT500, the only other Mustang that features a supercharger from the factory, delivers 625 pound-feet of torque, just 15 more than the R-Spec while no other U.S. Mustang can boast with more than 429 pound-feet (for both the GT350 and the GT350R powered by the 5.2-liter V-8).

"The R-Spec has to be great to drive, as well as delivering the added power and creaminess of the supercharger – it’s what customers expect, and what we have worked on as a team to deliver," said Rob Herrod, Managing Director of Herrod Performance. To keep all that power in check, the R-Spec comes with Ford Performance springs that lower the ride height by almost 0.8 inches. The springs are part of the clever MagneRide suspension that actively adjusts damping levels as you drive along. Ford Performance stabilizer bars at both ends are part of the package, as well. The gearbox is the same as in any other GT, namely the traditional six-speed manual.

What Herrod Performance and Ford Australia have forgotten to tell us is how fast the GT has become in R-Spec trim. We know that a GT350 needs 4.1 seconds to reach 60 mph from a standing start, 0.2 seconds off the time recorded by the lighter GT350R. A GT500 should pull the 0-60 mph sprint off in just 3.5 seconds, considering it's able to complete the 0-100-0 (in mph!) run in scarcely believable 10.6 seconds, quicker than a race-bred McLaren F1 LM.

We also think the GT500 will top out at about 186 mph limited by the aerodynamic drag but still at least six mph faster than the GT350R. Yes, the R-Spec is as heavy as the 4,400-pound GT Fastback or, in other words, some 740 pounds heavier than the GT350R but, let's not forget, Ford told us the stock GT can also go from naught to 60 mph in under 4 seconds and, if that's a stretch, then the R-Spec is the more likely candidate to do it for real.

Now, let's talk money. In the U.S., a GT Fastback starts at just $35,630, followed by the $39,610 GT Premium Fastback and the $47,810. All of these get an EPA-estimated EPA-Est. 15 mpg City and 25 mpg Highway. The R-Spec is more expensive than all three and, most likely, does worse in the fuel efficiency department. In fact, at $67,500 (AUD 99,980), the R-Spec blows past the $60,330 Mustang Shelby GT350, becoming the third most expensive Mustang available via Ford dealerships.

In light of all this, it may seem like the R-Spec is not worthy, but let's look at it from the viewpoint of an Australian. Knowing that Ford said, through the voice of Ford Performance Marketing Manager Jim Ownes, that the GT500 will only be sold in North America, Mexico, and the Middle East, the R-Spec becomes appealing. Sure, Ford only officially mentioned Europe as a 'no-go' area for the GT500, and no words have been uttered about the Australian market. But, then again, Ownes didn't mention the continent at the antipodes in his rundown of markets when talking to R&T, so we'd say the R-Spec may remain the only 700 horsepower 'Stang sold officially there for the years to come. That means if you're an Australian Ford Mustang fan, go get in line for an R-Spec.

Oh, and let's not forget that Australian special edition Mustangs are few and far between. The last one that caught our eye, namely the 2017 Tickford Bathurst '77 edition wasn't sold through Ford dealers.

2020 Ford Mustang R-Spec specifications

Engine

Naturally Aspirated 5.0-liter Coyote V-8 with a 2.65-liter roots supercharger with intercoolers and full-face radiator

Compression ratio

12.0:1

Output

700 horsepower

Torque

610 pound-feet of torque

Gearbox

Six-speed manual

Suspension

Double-ball-joint MacPherson strut with Ford Performance stabilizer bar and springs in the front and Integral-link independent with Ford Performance springs and stabilizer bar in the rear

Steering

Selectable-effort electric power-assisted

Performance (not official) 0-60 mph

3.9 seconds

Top speed

180 mph

Weight

4,380 pounds