Mustang Becomes Australia’s New V8 Police Interceptor!

Built by Herrod Performance, Mustang expected to see duty on the highway in the future, take up the torch left by the Falcon.

When most think of Australia, they think of kangaroos, Steve Irwin, and the Sydney Opera House. Ford fans add another to the list: Mad Max and his black Falcon XB, “The Last of the V8 Interceptors.” Not to mention the new Mustang taking part in the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship, scoring wins left and right.

Away from the track, the Falcon left the police force in 2016 when Ford ceased local production entirely. Since then, state and territory police make do with other pursuits specials. None can touch the legacy of the Falcon, though. Until now. Motoring.com.au reports the 2020 Mustang will take up the bird of prey’s torch on the highways of Australia.

This is the Mustang’s second attempt to do so, as it turns out. Back in 2016, CarsGuide.com.au reported the Mustang GT failed to earn a five-star safety rating from both Euro NCAP and ANCAP. Thus, it was ineligible for procurement.

Meanwhile, another blow to the pony’s success occurred when New South Wales Police Force entered it into its assessment fleet. Business Insider Australia reported the automatic transmission “overheated after just three minutes of intense driving.” The Mustang limped home to the garage, then to the local Ford dealership for repairs.

This time, though, the Mustang receives upgrades for the open road from Herrod Performance of Thomastown, Victoria. According to Motoring.com.au, Herrod built the Mustang R-Spec for Ford of Australia to handle the tough conditions. The pony’s 5.0-liter V8 made 700 horses and 610 lb-ft of torque to the rear through a six-speed manual.

Those lessons learned from the R-Spec came in handy for the new interceptor. The 2020 Mustang GT gains extra cooling for the 10-speed auto and diff. It also receives a beefy radiator for handling the heat.

The plan for the Mustang interceptor is to pitch it nationally for assessment. Currently, Chryslers and BMWs make up the pursuit fleets around Australia. And despite its current three-star ANCAP rating, the Mustang should be fine. It would certainly make Mad Max proud.

Photos: EFTM.com; CarsGuide.com.au; Motor1

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Cameron Aubernon

Cameron Aubernon's path to automotive journalism began in the early New '10s. Back then, a friend of hers thought she was an independent fashion blogger.

Aubernon wasn't, so she became one, covering fashion in her own way for the next few years.

From there, she's written for: Louisville.com/Louisville Magazine, Insider Louisville, The Voice-Tribune/The Voice, TOPS Louisville, Jeffersontown Magazine, Dispatches Europe, The Truth About Cars, Automotive News, Yahoo Autos, RideApart, Hagerty, and Street Trucks.

Aubernon also served as the editor-in-chief of a short-lived online society publication in Louisville, Kentucky, interned at the city's NPR affiliate, WFPL-FM, and was the de facto publicist-in-residence for a communal art space near the University of Louisville.

Aubernon is a member of the International Motor Press Association, and the Washington Automotive Press Association.

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