Supercars champ scores his own fired-up Ford Mustang

Here it is, the ballistic road-going Ford Mustang specified to the desires of the Supercars defending champion and champion-elect, Scott McLaughlin.

Dubbed the Scott McLaughlin Limited Edition SM17 by Herrod Performance in full, but shortened to SM17, the 578kW factory-backed monster has been revealed on the first anniversary of Ford Australia announcing the Mustang R-Spec.

The other Herrod Mustang: Ford Mustang R-Spec driven

The price of the SM17 hasn't been revealed yet, but expect the mighty Mustang to top the almost-$100,000 price tag of the limited edition R-Spec when it goes into production early in 2021.

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The SM17 is based on a 578kW/810Nm supercharged Ford Mustang, with a specific new exterior design done for McLaughlin.

Thanks in the main to a completely new 3.0-litre supercharger from Whipple dubbed the Gen 5 HP 3.0, it now makes a stonking 578kW (almost 800bhp) and 810Nm of torque on good old 98 octane fuel.

Scott's new pride and joy is the first production car in the world to run the new supercharger too, according to Herrod.

The twin-screw design was developed in coordination with Herrod, thus the 'HP' part of its name.

Herrod adds its new 3x4 rotor combination allows for increased RPM, while a large diameter within increases airflow.

According to Herrod, the torque curve is flatter for more sustained acceleration, while the design fits straight in underneath the stock bonnet.

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The car isn't all about looks and grunt, though. A huge cooling system has been plumbed in, including what Herrod calls the largest intercooler system of its kind on the market.

An oversized intercooler, a high-flow pump which doubles the stock flow, a 7.5-litre intercooler reservoir and huge air‐to‐water aluminium bar‐plate intercoolers all contribute to manage the massive new power figure.

McLaughlin set to go to IndyCar in 2021

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The SM17 Mustang also features a Herrod Performance-specific engine oil cooler on both manual and auto versions of the car, as an added effort to allay any potential cooling issues. The auto also gets an oil cooler and recalibrated software.

It's interesting to note that Herrod has managed to match the prodigious power output to the 10-speed auto, which has given us trouble on track before even in non-supercharged guise.

Herrod says no other upgrades to the engine block aside from cooling and the supercharger are necessary.

"There's no need to change the metal," he said.

The engine cover is redone in a vibrant red to match the exterior, while the exhaust tips are finished in cool black chrome to offset those awesome rims.

Around its 20-inch wheels are 275/35/20 front and 305/30/20 Michelin Pilot Sport 4S rear tyres, while the centre caps have been changed to unique SM17 badges, similar to the design on the rest of the car.

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The rear wing is new, as is the lower front grille, front bar spats and a pronounced lower splitter.

Suspension is retuned by Herrod, too, though it's still based on Ford Performance's original MagneRide shocks, while adjustable sway bars have been added and a calibration change made to the damper's control module.

Inside, the car has been given a once-over with badging and updated leather and a Herrod flat-bottom steering wheel.

The McLaughlin special will become a limited-run vehicle, much like the Dick Johnson Limited Edition Mustang that Herrod recently devised with the racing legend.

It will also be available via selected Ford dealerships, even though Ford wasn't involved in its development.

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McLaughlin (below) will head to Mt Panorama next week to sign off on his 2020 championship, with his DJR Team Penske outfit keen to erase the memories of an awkward though ultimately successful 2019 Bathurst 1000 campaign.

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The race may also be McLaughlin's last Supercars event before he tries his hand at an IndyCar career from next year.

See the top of this page for a full gallery of the car!