As an engineer, I'm more a "do it because it needs it" rather than a "do it because it looks good" - but I take you're point

Hope they're converting it to FWD then if they're trying to push 500bhp through the RDU

Easier on the 2.3 Mustang without AWD. Mazda boys have been getting mad bhp from this engine for ages and in fact one of the Pumas we had on stand at Ford Fair was running a very similar engine to mine and it puts out 558bhp through it's 2 front wheels. Mental.