You’re looking at a Mustang built to push limits without excuses. This SM17 takes a familiar shape and turns it into something far more focused, with massive power, a manual gearbox, and a setup made for real drivers.
You get a car shaped by racing success and local tuning skill, not just factory choices. Every part aims to give you speed, control, and feel, whether you’re cruising or pushing hard.
Key Takeaways
- You get extreme power matched with a manual, rear-drive setup.
- You feel sharp handling, strong brakes, and real road grip.
- You pay a high price, but you receive rare performance and character.
Scott McLaughlin SM17 Mustang Overview
How the SM17 Came to Life
You get this car because Scott McLaughlin won the Supercars title and then stepped away to race IndyCars. After that win, he chose to build something extreme rather than stay quiet.
He worked with Herrod, an Australian tuner and parts supplier you may already know from the R-Spec program. Together, you see a Mustang pushed well past the earlier R-Spec, with a focus on raw power, driver feel, and hands-on control.
Key ideas behind the build:
- Celebrate a championship win
- Take the R-Spec concept further
- Keep a manual, rear-wheel-drive setup
- Blend American muscle with Australian tuning
Build Numbers and Who Can Buy One
You deal with a car that very few people will ever own. Production stopped early, not by choice, but due to supply limits during COVID and chip shortages.
Here is how the numbers break down:
| Market | Units Built |
|---|---|
| Australia | 50 |
| New Zealand | 30 |
| Worldwide | 80 total |
The car you see here is number 32 of 50 for Australia. Plans existed to build more, but that never happened.
Pricing stayed quiet and changed over time. At the time of filming, you look at roughly $130,000 to $140,000 AUD, depending on when and how you secured your build.
Engine and Performance
Supercharged 5.0‑Liter V8 Setup
You get a 5.0‑liter V8 with forced induction, sending power to the rear wheels. A six‑speed manual puts you in full control. The engine bay features a massive 3.0‑liter supercharger mounted on top of the V8.
Key layout
- Engine: 5.0L V8
- Induction: Supercharged
- Drivetrain: Rear‑wheel drive
- Gearbox: 6‑speed manual
Power Output and Twist
This setup delivers 775 horsepower and 610 lb‑ft of torque. You feel strong pull across the rev range, with instant response when you lean into the throttle.
| Output | Figure |
|---|---|
| Horsepower | 775 hp |
| Torque | 610 lb‑ft |
Whipple Supercharger Hardware
You’re running a Whipple supercharger with a huge 3.0‑liter capacity. The unit produces a clear, high‑pitched whine under load, and it feeds the V8 with steady boost that keeps power coming on hard.
Speed and Acceleration Results
You tested 0–100 km/h using the car’s track app and a Dragy. With traction control off and a manual launch, results landed just over five seconds.
- Gauge cluster: ~5.1 seconds
- Dragy: ~5.3 seconds
Driver input matters here. With a cleaner launch and the right hands, you believe the car has more to give.
Chassis, Suspension, and Brakes
Herrod Chassis Work
You feel Herrod’s influence the moment you start pushing the car. They went deep into the setup to make sure all the power stays controlled through the chassis. The car feels tight and focused when you load it up in corners.
Lower Ride Height and Aggressive Stance
Herrod lowered the car to give it a wider and more planted look. That change also helps it sit better through turns. You notice the stance straight away, and it adds confidence when you drive it hard.
Tunable Sway Bars and MagneRide Setup
You get adjustable sway bars that let the car feel playful but still sharp. Herrod also recalibrated the MagneRide suspension with their own tuning. In corners, it stays composed and reacts quickly to your inputs.
Upgraded Braking Hardware
This car runs bigger brakes than a standard SM-17. You have six-piston Brembos up front and four-piston Brembos at the rear.
The braking feels strong and consistent, even when you lean on it. The car runs 20-inch wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires, sized 275 front and 305 rear, which helps everything hook up under braking.
Wheels, Tires, and Handling
20-Inch Wheel Style
You sit on 20-inch wheels that fill the guards well and give the car a wide, planted look. They suit the aggressive stance created by the lowered suspension. The wheels help put power down and keep the car stable when you push harder.
Michelin Pilot Sport 4S Tire Details
You get Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires on all four corners. The setup uses a wider rear to improve grip under power.
| Position | Tire Size |
|---|---|
| Front | 275 |
| Rear | 305 |
This staggered layout helps the car hook up and stay composed when you accelerate.
Cornering Feel and Road Behavior
You feel the suspension work the moment you turn in. The car runs adjustable sway bars and a tuned MagneRide setup, which tightens body control without killing playfulness.
In corners, you notice sharp response and strong grip. The car feels confident, balanced, and eager to rotate when you ask it to.
Interior and Comfort
Italian Leather Seating with Custom Stitching
You sit in Italian leather seats with SM-17 logos stitched into them. The seats feel soft but still hold you in place when you push through corners.
Heated and Ventilated Seats
You get both heating and cooling built into the seats. This setup keeps you comfortable in cold mornings and hot days without changing how supportive the seats feel.
Alcantara Herrod Steering Wheel
You hold an Alcantara-wrapped Herrod steering wheel with a flat bottom. A red center stripe helps you keep the wheel straight, and the grip feels solid and direct in your hands.
Cabin Details and Tech
Inside the cabin, small details stand out while you drive.
- Flat-bottom steering wheel for extra leg room
- Track apps on the display for acceleration timing
- Clear gauge cluster that shows performance data
Everything feels focused on driving while still keeping you comfortable.
Pricing and Value
What You Pay Right Now
Prices shift due to market changes and timing, but you see this car land in a clear range. Ford and Herrod keep numbers quiet, yet current buyers sit in the same window.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Estimated price | $130,000–$140,000 |
| Market notes | Prices vary by buyer and purchase date |
| Production | Limited run, very few available |
That number sounds high, but your money buys extreme power, upgraded hardware, and rare build status. Anything under $150,000 delivers strong return for what you get.
How It Stacks Up Against Rivals
You get more output for less money when you compare it to well-known performance cars I’ve driven or referenced.
- Hellcat-powered models: This car makes more power.
- GT500: This car makes more power.
- ZL1 Camaro: This car makes far more power.
- BMW M4 Competition: This car outperforms it on power.
- AMG C63 S: You can spend around $200,000 used for about 500 hp.
You save roughly $60,000 versus a well-optioned C63 S, while keeping a six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive, and supercharged setup.
Comparisons to Other Performance Cars
Hellcat Power and Trackhawk Experience
You have driven Hellcat-based cars before, including the Trackhawk, and you enjoy that engine a lot. When you look at the numbers, this SM-17 makes more power than the Hellcat setup.
You feel the difference right away. The manual gearbox and rear-wheel drive give you more control and a stronger connection when you push the car.
How It Stacks Up Against the R-Spec Mustang
You have already spent time in the Mustang R-Spec, and this car builds on that idea. Think of it as the same formula, but taken much further.
Key differences you notice:
- More power from the supercharged 5.0-liter V8
- Sharper handling from revised suspension tuning
- A more aggressive feel in corners and on throttle
This version clearly sits above the R-Spec in both performance and presence.
Versus GT500, ZL1, and European Performance Cars
When you compare straight numbers, this car stands out. On paper and on the road, it delivers more power than several well-known rivals.
| Car | Power Comparison | Price Context |
|---|---|---|
| SM-17 Mustang | 775 hp | Around $130k–$140k |
| GT500 | Less power | — |
| ZL1 Camaro | Much less power | — |
| BMW M4 Competition | Outmatched | — |
| AMG C63 S | About 500 hp | Around $200k used |
You get supercharged power, a six-speed manual, and rear-wheel drive, while spending far less than many European options. For you, that makes this car hard to ignore.
Driving Experience and Impressions
You feel the power right away. The supercharged V8 pulls hard, and the rear wheels work to keep up. The six-speed manual feels solid and direct, and each shift adds to the drive.
The chassis feels sharp in corners. Herrod’s suspension work makes the car feel planted and playful, with a tight response when you turn in. The tuned MagneRide setup keeps control without killing comfort.
What stands out while driving:
- Strong grip from Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires
- Confident stopping from upgraded Brembo brakes
- Stable balance through bends with adjustable sway bars
The sound adds to the experience. You hear the supercharger whine rise with speed, while the exhaust delivers a loud, clean bark. It stays engaging without feeling rough.
Acceleration depends on your skill. With traction control off and a clean launch, you see numbers around five seconds to 100 km/h. The car clearly has more to give with practice.
| Driving Element | Your Experience |
|---|---|
| Gearbox | Firm, precise six-speed manual |
| Handling | Tight, controlled, and playful |
| Braking | Strong bite, steady under load |
| Traction | Wide rear tires help it hook up |
On open roads, the car feels eager and stable. You can drive it hard, yet it still feels manageable and connected.
Final Thoughts and Conclusion
You drive something that feels focused and deliberate. The six-speed manual keeps you involved, and the rear-wheel drive layout lets you manage the power with your right foot. The tuned MagneRide, sway bars, and lowered stance help you stay confident through corners.
Key details you notice right away:
- 775 horsepower from a supercharged 5.0L V8
- 610 lb-ft of torque sent to the rear wheels
- Six-speed manual that feels direct and solid
- Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires with real grip
You also feel how much work went into the setup. The supercharger whine stays clear, the exhaust sounds sharp, and the upgraded brakes stop hard when you need them.
| Feature | What you experience |
|---|---|
| Suspension | Tight, playful, and controlled |
| Brakes | Strong bite with six-pot fronts |
| Interior | Supportive leather seats and a firm wheel |
| Power delivery | Immediate and relentless |
You look at the price and see what the money buys. Around $130k–$140k gives you performance that rivals higher-priced cars, while keeping a manual gearbox and rear-wheel drive.
You also know how rare this is. Only 80 units exist worldwide, with 50 in Australia. When you drive one, you feel that limited-run character every time you get on the throttle.
