In a move that has set the Australian automotive world abuzz, Ford has recently trademarked the “Mach 4” nameplate in Australia, potentially signaling the arrival of what many enthusiasts have been dreaming of since 2016 – a spiritual successor to the iconic Ford Falcon. Filed with IP Australia on February 25, 2025, this trademark registration has ignited speculation about a four-door Mustang that could fill the void left when the beloved Falcon ceased production nearly a decade ago.
The End of an Era and the Birth of a New One
When Ford Australia closed its manufacturing facilities in October 2016, it marked the end of a 56-year run for the Falcon nameplate in Australia. The Falcon had become deeply ingrained in Australian automotive culture, particularly the high-performance XR8 variants with their thunderous V8 engines. Under Ford’s “One Ford” global product strategy, the Falcon was indirectly replaced by the European-sourced Mondeo and the American Mustang, but neither truly captured the essence of what made the Falcon special – a rear-wheel-drive, V8-powered family sedan with performance credentials.
The gap in Ford’s lineup has been noticeable. As senior Ford Australia executive James Whitaker notes, “Australians have always appreciated the unique combination of practicality and performance that the Falcon delivered. The Mustang has been incredibly successful for us, but we recognize there’s still demand for something with four doors that delivers that same emotional connection.”
Mach 4: More Than Just a Name
The trademark application Ford filed describes the Mach 4 as intended for “motor vehicles, namely gasoline and electric automobiles, pick-up trucks, sport utility vehicles and their structural parts.” Notably, the same trademark was filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office on the same date, suggesting this is part of a global strategy rather than an Australia-specific move.
Industry analysts point out that the name carries significant symbolic weight. The “Mach” nomenclature has historically been associated with Ford’s performance vehicles, most notably the Mustang Mach 1 and more recently the Mustang Mach-E electric crossover. The number “4” could reference both the four doors of a sedan and position the vehicle as a step above the Mach-E in Ford’s hierarchy.
“If you look at Ford’s naming strategy, there’s clearly a pattern emerging,” explains automotive industry analyst Dr. Simon Reynolds. “The Mach-E was an expansion of the Mustang brand into new territory while maintaining ties to the original. A Mach 4 sedan would be a logical next step in that evolution, particularly if it’s designed to appeal to markets like Australia where the Falcon still has a strong emotional resonance.”
The Evidence Mounts
This trademark filing isn’t the only indication that Ford is seriously considering a Mustang sedan. According to reports from Automotive News last year, Ford executives – including CEO Jim Farley – revealed a four-door ‘coupe’ version of the Mustang during a dealer meeting in Las Vegas. This presentation included several potential Mustang variants, including a Baja-ready off-road model and a high-performance V8 convertible with a manual transmission.
Earlier in 2024, Farley appeared to hint at the possibility in an interview with Autocar: “We will never build a Mustang that isn’t a Mustang. For instance, there will never be room for a small, two-row Ford SUV with a Mustang badge stuck on it. But could we do other Mustang body forms – a four-door or whatever? I believe we could, as long as these models have all the performance and attitude of the original.”
These statements, combined with the trademark filing, suggest Ford is seriously exploring the expansion of the Mustang nameplate into new territory, while being careful to maintain the performance credentials that define the brand.
A Rich History of Exploration
While the Mustang has always been a two-door vehicle throughout its nearly 60-year history, the idea of a four-door Mustang isn’t entirely new. Ford has created numerous design studies over the decades exploring different body styles for its pony car, including sedan versions of the first-generation model in the 1960s and even a wood-paneled wagon variant in the 1970s.
More recently, Ford Authority reported that the company created a full-scale model of a sedan version of the fifth-generation ‘S197’ Mustang around 2005, though it never progressed to production. These explorations demonstrate Ford’s ongoing interest in expanding the Mustang’s appeal while maintaining its essential character.
It’s worth noting that the original Mustang itself was actually a spinoff from the Falcon platform in America, creating an interesting full-circle moment if a new Mustang sedan were to become the spiritual successor to the Australian Falcon.
The Australian Connection
Australia has always had a special relationship with the Falcon and the Mustang. When Ford ended local manufacturing and retired the Falcon in 2016, many Australian enthusiasts gravitated toward the Mustang as the closest alternative, making it one of the best-selling sports cars in the country.
“The Mustang has performed exceptionally well in Australia,” says Marcus Wellington, automotive market researcher. “In 2021, Ford sold 2,827 Mustangs in Australia – comparable to the sales figures of the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. This demonstrates the strong appetite Australians have for performance vehicles that offer something special.”
A four-door Mustang could potentially tap into the same market segment that once supported the Falcon XR8, particularly if it retained V8 power. This would give Ford a distinct advantage in a segment where rivals like Dodge Charger are shifting to electrification.
The V8 Advantage
One of the most intriguing aspects of the potential Mustang sedan is that Ford has committed to offering V8 power in the Mustang “for as long as regulations permit.” While most manufacturers are rapidly transitioning to turbocharging, hybridization, and electrification, Ford has maintained the naturally aspirated 5.0-liter Coyote V8 as the flagship engine for the Mustang.
The emotional connection to V8 power remains strong in Australia, where the Falcon XR8 was powered by a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 in its final iteration. The Holy Grail special edition, of which only 100 were made, pushed output to an impressive 647 horsepower – proving that the appetite for high-performance four-door V8 sedans remains strong even as the global automotive landscape shifts toward electrification.
“The sound, the responsiveness, the character of a naturally aspirated V8 is something that’s increasingly rare in today’s market,” explains veteran automotive journalist Sarah Davidson. “For enthusiasts, it’s not just about the numbers – it’s about the experience. A four-door Mustang with V8 power would offer something genuinely unique in today’s market.”
Competing in a Changing Landscape
A Mustang sedan would enter a market that’s dramatically different from when the Falcon was in production. Traditional sedan sales have declined globally as consumers have shifted toward SUVs and crossovers. However, there remain pockets of strong demand for sedans with distinctive character, particularly in the performance segment.
The new-generation Dodge Charger offers both coupe and sedan body styles, replacing the old Challenger coupe and Charger sedan. However, unlike previous generations, the new Charger doesn’t offer a V8 option, instead relying on twin-turbocharged six-cylinder engines and electric powertrains in its Daytona variant.
This creates an opportunity for Ford to differentiate a Mustang sedan with V8 power, giving it a unique selling proposition in a market where such options are increasingly rare. Even if the Mach 4 were to eventually add an electric variant, a V8-powered version would maintain a connection to Australia’s automotive heritage.
The Practicality Factor
Beyond the emotional appeal of a V8-powered sedan, there’s a practical rationale for Ford to develop such a vehicle for markets like Australia. Research has shown that Australians have specific requirements that differ from other markets.
When Ford was considering ending local production, studies indicated that 69% of Falcons were fitted with towbars, highlighting the importance of towing capacity to Australian buyers. The rear-wheel-drive layout preferred for towing was a key factor in the Falcon’s enduring popularity, and something that a Mustang-based sedan could replicate.
Additionally, Australian families often require more interior space than what’s available in a traditional coupe, making a four-door variant of the Mustang potentially more appealing to a broader audience.
“The Mustang has always been about accessibility – performance that’s within reach of everyday buyers,” observes automotive historian Dr. Elizabeth Parker. “A four-door variant would extend that accessibility to families and buyers who need the practicality of a sedan but don’t want to sacrifice the driving experience.”
Design Possibilities
While no official images or details of the potential Mach 4 have been released, design experts suggest it would likely follow the “four-door coupe” formula popularized by vehicles like the Mercedes-Benz CLS and Audi A7.
“The challenge with extending the Mustang’s design language to a four-door format is maintaining its distinctive proportions and character,” explains automotive design consultant Michael Thompson. “A sleek, fastback roofline with a practical liftback rather than a traditional trunk would be the most likely approach, similar to what Kia did with the Stinger.”
This would allow Ford to differentiate the Mach 4 from more traditional sedans while maintaining a clear visual connection to the two-door Mustang. The recent seventh-generation Mustang’s sharper, more angular design language would lend itself well to a four-door interpretation, potentially creating one of the most distinctive vehicles in Ford’s global lineup.
Electric Possibilities
While a V8-powered variant would maintain the strongest connection to the Falcon’s legacy, Ford’s trademark filing indicates the Mach 4 name could be applied to electric vehicles as well. This suggests Ford may be planning a multi-powertrain strategy similar to what Dodge has done with the new Charger.
“The automotive landscape is rapidly evolving, and manufacturers need to hedge their bets,” says electrification specialist Dr. Jennifer Wong. “Developing a platform that can support both combustion and electric powertrains gives Ford flexibility to adapt to different market conditions and regulatory environments.”
An electric Mach 4 would complement the Mach-E in Ford’s lineup, potentially offering higher performance and a more sedan-like form factor compared to the crossover styling of the Mach-E. This would give Ford a more complete electric vehicle portfolio as it transitions toward its goal of becoming carbon neutral.
Production Realities
If Ford does proceed with a Mach 4 sedan, it would almost certainly be built in North America rather than Australia. Ford’s Australian manufacturing facilities have been closed since 2016, and the company has shown no indication of returning to local production.
The most likely scenario would see the Mach 4 produced alongside the Mustang at Ford’s Flat Rock Assembly Plant in Michigan, leveraging shared components and manufacturing processes to improve economies of scale.
For Australian buyers, this would mean the Mach 4 would be an imported product, similar to the current Mustang. However, Ford Australia has a history of tuning imported vehicles for local conditions, suggesting the company could develop specific suspension, steering, and powertrain calibrations for the Australian market.
When Could We See It?
While Ford has not officially confirmed the Mach 4’s existence, the trademark filing and various reports suggest the project is beyond the conceptual stage. Industry analysts speculate that if approved for production, a Mustang sedan could potentially appear as early as 2026, coinciding with a mid-cycle refresh of the current seventh-generation Mustang.
This timeline would allow Ford to leverage its investment in the Mustang platform while expanding its appeal to new segments. It would also give the company time to develop and test specific variants for key markets like Australia.
The Legacy Continues
For Australian Ford enthusiasts, a Mustang-based sedan with V8 power would represent more than just a new model – it would be the continuation of a legacy that stretches back to 1960 when the first Falcon rolled off the production line in Broadmeadows, Victoria.
While the Falcon name itself may not return, the spirit of what made it special – accessible performance, practical utility, and distinctively Australian character – could live on in a new form. The Mach 4 has the potential to bridge the gap between Ford’s heritage and its future, creating a new icon for a new era.
As Ford Australia awaits official confirmation from headquarters, one thing is clear: the passion for performance sedans remains strong in Australia, and if the Mach 4 does materialize as a four-door Mustang with V8 power, it would be embraced as a worthy successor to the legendary Falcon.