Ford Introduces the 2012 Mustang Boss 302

By Todd DeMeza

Todd DeMeza

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Todd DeMeza has a long time interest in and passion for cars. During high school, he decided he wanted to use his enthusiasm to become an automotive... More

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5 1,161 views Aug 13, 2010

2012 Ford Mustang 302 BOSS

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 The Boss 302 wasn’t much of a muscle car back when they were new. While quick, it didn’t have the straight-line performance of its big-block brethren. Instead, the Boss 302 was an extremely well-balanced package by being the best handling mustang to come from the factory.

Jump ahead to 2011, the 5.0L badge on the Mustang has returned and with it comes the right to use the 302 cubic-inch displacement badge as well. The legendary Boss 302 name was ripe for Ford to bring out of the mothballs and today Ford announced a 2012 version will be available next year.

Ford took the decision to offer a Boss 302 seriously and didn’t want to just offer a styling package. The  goal for the engine was to offer  a powerful V-8 with a high-revving experience that a race engine, like that found in the original Boss 302, could deliver. The intake design was revived for more power, and the Ti-VCT cams were replaced with more aggressive grinds. Power numbers are now 440 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque.  The six-speed transmission will gain a race-inspired clutch. The rear end will get 3.73 gears and a limited slip differential as available options.

The exhaust has been tuned for a more aggressive sound, leading to a unique quad exhaust system that has the standard exhaust of the GT, and two side pipes.  The side-pipes can be uncorked by the owner as well as being matched with aftermarket electric cut-off valves for a complete exhaust cut-out system.

The suspension gets changes as well. While there is some slight lowering to the ride height, the real change comes from the 5-way adjustable shock absorbers. No luxury of adjusting the settings on the fly either, for has opted for the traditional and lighter adjustment method by placing a slot at the top of the shock tower that is adjusted by a flat-head screwdriver. The electronic nannies for the steering has been adjusted for better steering feel while the traction control can be turned completely off for the track.

The wheels are replicas of the Panasports used in Trans-Am racing, but now enlarged to a 19 inch diameter. Width is staggered, 9 inches wide for the front and 9.5 inches wide in the back. Ford chose some Pirelli PZero summer tires to help make the Boss 302 the first non-SVT mustang to achieve 1.0g on the skidpad. Braking comes in the way of 14 inch Brembos up front and GT calipers with special pads in back, while the ABS has been tuned for track-braking situations.

Exterior styling comes in the way of a body kit designed with two goals in mind—to envoke the original Boss 302 and to help aid in braking and engine performance. The famous C-stripes of the original will be on the car. Paint will come in specific colors: Competition Orange, Performance White, Kona Blue Metallic, Yellow Blaze Tri-Coat Metallic and Race Red.
Inside the car gets an Alcantara suede-covered wheel, special door sills, a black, cue-ball shift knob, and seats covered in cloth with simulated suede inserts. Recaro seats, found in the GT500, are also available as an option.

2012 Ford Mustang 302 BOSS

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There is no word on pricing nor any real performance figures except that the Boss 302 will be two seconds faster than the Mustang GT on any given track.

[Source: Ford]