Reigning CAMS Australian Touring Car Champion Scott McLaughlin has given the new Ford Mustang the ideal debut in Australia, winning race one of the Superloop Adelaide 500.

The Shell V-Power driver led from the first corner to the chequered flag, after powering past his teammate Fabian Coulthard in the opening seconds, with Coulthard also penalised for a jump start.

Coulthard was able to recover from the 10 second time penalty to finish sixth, although the number 12 would be disappointed he couldn't make it on the podium, with his car clearly one of the fastest in the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship field.

Red Bull Holden Racing Team's Jamie Whincup and Shane van Gisbergen finished in second and third respectively, both unable to mount a challenge to the leading Mustang.

van Gisbergen was challenged by Tickford's Chaz Mostert midway through the race, but Mostert's eagerness to pass led to two separate mistakes that ended up costing the Mustang driver a chance at the podium.

McLaughlin was barely troubled in the dominant performance in searing heat, pulling out to a comfortable lead early in the race in very hot conditions, with cool suits and helmet fans ensuring the drivers were able to take on the grueling challenge.

Remarkably, there were no safety car interventions in the 78 lap race with only a handful of minor incidents marring the year's first race.

The drivers will be tested again on Sunday with temperatures in the high 30s forecast for the second 250km race.