In the sun-scorched landscape of Australian automotive culture, something exciting brews on the horizon. Ford’s iconic pony car—the Mustang—might be stretching its legs to accommodate two extra doors, potentially filling the V8-shaped hole in the hearts of Aussie car enthusiasts. As Ford’s recent trademark filing for “Mach 4” confirms, the whispers of a four-door Mustang are growing louder, and Australia might just become the perfect playground for this bold evolution.
The Ghost of Falcons Past
When the last Ford Falcon rolled off the Broadmeadows production line in October 2016, it marked the end of an era. For over half a century, the Falcon had been Australia’s darling—a homegrown hero that understood the unique demands of our roads and our hearts. The Falcon wasn’t just transport; it was cultural identity on wheels, especially in its V8 GT form.
“For the true Ford devotees, the love affair began in 1967 with the XR GT,” recalls a Ford historian. That’s where the performance heritage of the brand was formed, courtesy of a 225bhp Windsor V8 engine borrowed from the Mustang. Winning Bathurst cemented its place in Australian folklore, firing the first salvo in what would become the legendary Ford versus Holden muscle car wars.
But like all good things, it couldn’t last forever. Changing market preferences, manufacturing costs, and global strategies saw the Falcon fade into history. When production ceased, Australia lost more than just a car—it lost part of its automotive soul, leaving a void that SUVs and small imports couldn’t possibly fill.
“While the Broadmeadows factory opened in 1960 by then prime minister Robert Menzies produced less than 8600 Falcon sedans and utes in 2015, the writing was on the wall,” notes industry analyst James Colson. “But the Australian appetite for performance sedans never truly disappeared—it just had nowhere to go.”
The V8 Vacuum in a Downsizing World
The demise of Australian-built V8 sedans created a peculiar situation. As the world rushed toward downsized turbocharged engines and electrification, a devoted segment of the Australian market was left without their rumbling, naturally-aspirated V8 four-doors.
With Holden’s demise adding salt to the wound (the brand shuttered completely in 2020 after ceasing local manufacturing in 2017), the Australian performance sedan landscape became a barren desert. The legendary Holden Commodore SS—a vehicle that embodied the Australian motoring spirit with its brawny V8 and rear-wheel drive layout—joined the Falcon in automotive Valhalla.
The remaining options for V8 enthusiasts narrowed dramatically, limited mostly to expensive European imports or the two-door Mustang. Practical muscle cars became an endangered species. In a country where long distances, wide roads, and performance heritage converge, this wasn’t just an inconvenience—it was a cultural tragedy.
“Australians have always had a unique relationship with the V8 engine,” explains Dr. Sarah Tanner, automotive historian at Melbourne University. “It’s not just about power or speed—it’s about the sound, the feeling, the cultural significance. When both Falcon and Commodore disappeared, it left a very specific type of car enthusiast orphaned.”
The Mustang Renaissance
Enter the Ford Mustang. When the sixth-generation pony car officially arrived on Australian shores in 2015, it was a revelation. No longer a boutique import, the Mustang became Ford’s performance flagship, instantly capturing hearts with its combination of heritage, performance, and relative affordability.
The Mustang’s success in Australia surprised even Ford executives. Despite being a two-door sports car in an increasingly SUV-dominated market, Australians embraced the Mustang with unexpected enthusiasm. By 2017, Australia had become the largest export market for the Mustang outside North America.
“The Mustang’s reception in Australia demonstrated the enduring appeal of rear-wheel drive performance vehicles in this market,” observes Tom Richards, former Ford Australia executive. “Despite predictions that Australians were moving exclusively to SUVs and smaller vehicles, the Mustang proved that performance still matters here.”
But for all its success, the Mustang could never fully replace the Falcon. Its two-door configuration limited practicality, and despite its performance credentials, it occupied a different space in the market. It was a weekend toy rather than a daily driver for many families who might have previously considered a Falcon XR8 or similar.
Mach 4: The Four-Door Future
In February 2025, Ford filed a trademark application for “Mach 4” with IP Australia and the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The name has been trademarked for “motor vehicles, namely gasoline and electric automobiles, pick-up trucks, sport utility vehicles and their structural parts.”
This seemingly innocuous filing set the automotive world abuzz, particularly when connected to earlier reports. According to industry sources, Ford executives—including CEO Jim Farley—had previously revealed a four-door ‘coupe’ version of the Mustang at a dealer meeting in Las Vegas in 2024.
“The name itself is significant,” points out automotive journalist Daniel Walsh. “Mach is deeply connected to Mustang heritage, with the Mach 1 being a performance variant since 1969. The number four likely references the door count. Combined with the Mustang Mach-E naming convention, it suggests Ford is expanding the Mustang corral into a full model family.”
The rumored Mustang sedan would likely leverage the S650 platform that underpins the current seventh-generation Mustang. If produced, it would represent the first four-door production Mustang in the nameplate’s 60-year history. Despite being a departure from tradition, there is historical precedent—Ford has created various Mustang body style concepts over the years, including sedan mock-ups dating back to the 1960s.
“Ford has long flirted with the idea of a four-door Mustang,” reveals vintage Ford expert Michael Turner. “There were concepts for sedan and even wagon variants of the first-generation Mustang, and Ford created a full-scale model of a sedan version of the fifth-generation Mustang around 2005. The idea has been percolating for decades.”
The Australian Opportunity
For Australia, a four-door Mustang represents more than just another model variant. It potentially reignites a segment that has been dormant since local manufacturing ceased. A powerful V8 sedan with the Mustang badge could serve as a spiritual successor to the Falcon, filling a gap in the market that remains painfully evident.
“Australia is the perfect market for a four-door Mustang,” contends market analyst Lisa Young. “There’s still significant demand for performance sedans here, especially those with V8 power. The success of the two-door Mustang proves the appetite exists, but many buyers need the practicality of four doors.”
Ford’s local operation appears aware of this opportunity. The company filed for the Mach 4 trademark in Australia on the same day it did in the United States, suggesting Australia features prominently in Ford’s planning for this potential model.
The timing is particularly interesting given the market context. While Dodge is introducing a new-generation Charger with electric and inline-six power options but no V8, Ford could potentially corner the affordable V8 sedan market. This stands in stark contrast to the traditional muscle car wars, where Ford, Dodge, and Chevrolet competed directly with V8-powered offerings.
“If Ford brings a V8-powered Mach 4 to Australia, they’d essentially have the affordable V8 sedan segment to themselves,” notes industry insider James Wilson. “That’s an enviable position in a market where performance heritage still carries significant weight.”
The Technical Challenge
Creating a four-door Mustang isn’t as simple as stretching the existing platform and adding rear doors. The engineering challenges are significant, from structural rigidity to weight distribution and interior packaging.
Ford would likely need to extend the Mustang’s wheelbase substantially to accommodate rear passengers comfortably, raising questions about how much of the current Mustang’s DNA could be preserved in the process. The balance between practicality and performance is delicate, particularly for a nameplate with such a strong sporting image.
“The challenge for Ford’s engineers will be maintaining the Mustang’s character while adding utility,” explains automotive engineer Dr. Robert Chen. “The current S650 platform would need significant modification to accommodate a longer wheelbase and four-door configuration while preserving the handling dynamics Mustang owners expect.”
Powertrain options would likely mirror the existing Mustang range, with the 5.0-liter Coyote V8 as the headline act, potentially joined by the 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder. Given global trends, hybrid or even fully electric variants could also be considered.
For the Australian market, the V8 option would be crucial. Without eight cylinders under the hood, a four-door Mustang would lose much of its appeal as a Falcon successor. The rumbling soundtrack and linear power delivery of a naturally aspirated V8 remain fundamental to the Australian performance car experience.
Beyond the Badge: Cultural Significance
The potential introduction of a Mustang sedan represents more than just another model in Ford’s lineup—it could reignite Australia’s performance car culture. The Falcon and Commodore weren’t merely vehicles; they were cultural institutions that spawned fan communities, racing series, and deep brand loyalty.
“The rival Holden versus Ford dynamic shaped Australian motorsport for decades,” reminisces racing journalist Tim Power. “The Bathurst 1000 became the definitive proving ground where these production-based sedans battled for supremacy. When local manufacturing ended, some of that magic disappeared from our motorsport.”
A four-door Mustang could potentially reinvigorate this heritage, particularly if it were to enter motorsport competitions. While the Mustang coupe already competes in Supercars Championship, a sedan variant might better capture the spirit of the touring car battles that defined Australian motorsport for generations.
Beyond racing, a Mustang sedan could reestablish the family performance car segment that was once so central to Australian car culture. These weren’t just vehicles for enthusiasts; they were aspirational family cars that combined practicality with performance in a uniquely Australian formula.
“The beauty of cars like the Falcon XR8 was that they were attainable dream cars,” explains sociologist Dr. Emma Harris, who studies Australian car culture. “A regular family could justify one because it served as practical transportation while delivering weekend thrills. That combination created deep emotional connections that transcended the typical car ownership experience.”
Market Realities and Challenges
Despite the compelling case for a four-door Mustang in Australia, significant challenges remain. The global automotive industry continues to shift toward electrification, with internal combustion engines—especially V8s—facing increasing regulatory pressure.
Ford itself has committed heavily to an electric future, making the long-term prospects for a new V8 sedan uncertain. Even if the Mach 4 does materialize with a V8 option, it may represent one of the last hurrahs for the configuration rather than a long-term product strategy.
“We’re in a transitional period for performance cars,” observes industry analyst Peter Johnson. “While there’s still demand for V8 power, the regulatory environment is pushing in the opposite direction. A Mustang sedan with a V8 might be viable for this decade, but beyond that, electrification seems inevitable.”
The pricing equation presents another challenge. Without local manufacturing, any Mustang sedan would be an import, subject to various taxes and duties that could push it into a higher price bracket than the Falcon it spiritually replaces. Finding the sweet spot between premium positioning and accessibility will be crucial to its success.
“The price point will be critical,” emphasizes retail analyst Michelle Cooper. “The two-door Mustang succeeded partly because it offered V8 performance at a relatively accessible price. A four-door variant will need to maintain that value proposition to capture the former Falcon and Commodore buyers.”
The Road Ahead
As Ford’s plans for the Mach 4 continue to develop, Australian enthusiasts watch with bated breath. The prospect of a V8-powered four-door bearing the Mustang name represents a tantalizing possibility—a modern interpretation of the beloved Australian performance sedan formula.
“If executed correctly, a Mustang sedan could become the new icon of Australian performance motoring,” predicts automotive journalist Sam Walker. “It has the potential to capture the essence of what made the Falcon special while embracing modern technology and design.”
The success of such a vehicle would depend on numerous factors: the preservation of V8 power, competitive pricing, dynamic excellence, and the intangible emotional connection that defines truly special automobiles. For Ford Australia, it represents both opportunity and challenge—a chance to recapture a market segment they once dominated, but with the difficulties inherent in a rapidly changing automotive landscape.
“The question isn’t just whether Ford can build a four-door Mustang,” concludes industry veteran John Taylor. “It’s whether they can create a vehicle that captures the Australian performance sedan ethos—a car that’s practical enough for family duties but thrilling enough to raise goosebumps when the road opens up and the V8 sings.”
As the automotive world continues its technological revolution, the Mustang Mach 4 could represent a fascinating bridge between tradition and progress. For Australian enthusiasts mourning the loss of locally built V8 sedans, it offers a glimmer of hope—the possibility that the spirit of the Falcon might live on, reimagined for a new era but faithful to the characteristics that made it an icon.
The fate of the Mustang sedan remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: in the Australian context, it represents more than just another model variant. It’s a potential torch-bearer for a cherished automotive tradition—a tradition that refuses to fade away, even as the industry around it transforms beyond recognition.