At pebble beach last week, Ford introduced the “quickest, best-handling straight-production Mustang ever offered...” (Ford’s words, we haven’t driven it yet). What else could it be besides the reincarnation of the Boss 302? Much like the Boss 302 from 1969, the new Boss is as hard-core and track focused as you'll find in any showroom.
Engine output is cranked up to 440 horsepower, but the real story with Ford’s new boss pony is adjustable suspension, adjustable steering, quad exhaust (designed to make deafening straight side pipes just a block-off plate away) 11 pounds of missing sound-deadening, 6-speed manual gearbox, and a3.73 rear axle ratio with a limited-slip differential.
Ford claims to have benchmarked BMW's M3 for track times around Laguna Seca, and it claims to have beat it. While prices have yet to be announced, Ford has admitted that it will come in somewhere between the GT500 and new five-point-ohhh GT. That means a car that could offer Bavarian-king levels of performance for a fraction of the price. Truthfully, I started saving my pennies before I even started writing this.
Now, here's a question. Is a track-oriented Boss Mustang something that strikes your fancy? With less sound deadening, aggressive rear end, and manual transmission, and manually adjustable suspension, it’s not exactly the pinnacle of luxury. It may be the pinnacle of performance muscle cars though, but are you crazy enough like me to make it your dream car?
The Boss is back and we're not talking about Bruce Springsteen. Looking forward to seeing this one on the street.
Rick - August 30, 2010 at 05:38AM
I have been waiting for the release of the Boss 302 since the last one rolled out in 1970. My local Ford dealer already has my deposit. The wait was woth it!
1KMM - August 25, 2010 at 01:25PM
TWO TEENAGE DAUGHTERS & I SAY: WAY FLIPPING AWESOME !!! ... NEED TO CHECK THE COLORS INSIDE & OUT TO GET US ONE, OR TWO !!!
Phil - August 25, 2010 at 08:23AM
Add a functioning shaker hood and I'm buying.
Old School - August 25, 2010 at 08:00AM
"I can bye the same GT Mustang out the door for $24,000 and the Ford Motor Co. is still making a huge profit per car sold".... are you serious?? Between their overhead and benefits paid to the unions, none of the not-so-BIG 3 make a huge profit on the cars they sell. Do some research and really see how much of each dollar spent in their investment is returned in profit, I think you'll find it's pennies.
Tom - August 25, 2010 at 07:33AM
Ford does well when it sells these special edition models. I mean you have the GT500, 500KR, Saleen, Roush, Mach 1, Cobra, Bullitt, and so on.
These vehicle sell well and Ford is smart to keep producing them. And you know there will be a spot for the Boss 302.
But for my money nothing beats the value of the new GT at just under $30k for 412 HP! The GT500 is $20k more!
BOB L - August 24, 2010 at 08:13PM
THE BOSS 302 IS JUST WHAT FORD NEEDS AND YES I WOULD BY ONE MAYBE TWO IF I COULD FIND MORE PARKING. THE SHELBY CLUB I BELONG TO HAS BEEN TALKING ABOUT THIS CAR AND IT SEEMS TO HAVE A LOT OF US HOPING IT WILL BE AS GOOD AS IT SOUNDS, NO FRILLS IS WHAT MOST WOULD LIKE TO HAVE . A/C AND TUNES FOR DRIVING TO THE TRACK FOR SOME FUN AND GREAT TRACK PERFORMANCE. THE PRICE ISNT TO BAD CONSIDERING MY 65 FASTBACK SHELBY CLONE WAS ABOUT 55,000 FOR A WELL PERPPED TRACK CAR THAT IS A LITTLE ROUGH FOR STREET DRIVING , IT HAS 545 HP AND IS A BEAR TO DRIVE IN TRAFFIC. LOOKINFG FORWARD TO DRIVING AND BUYING ONE . PS YOU DONT BUY THIS CAR FOR GAS MILEAGE YOU BUY IT FOR TRACK DAYS AND BOASTING, BRAGGING RIGHTS.
Robert Karma - August 24, 2010 at 07:50PM
I love the new Mustang 5.0 in all of its incarnations including The Boss but getting a new Mustang is beyond my financial reach unless I win the lottery. At my age (43) the new and improved Mustang is one of the few things in this world that still gets the blood pumping. I am amazed how far the Mustang has evolved since its introduction in 1964 1/2 when it was basically a Falcon in cool sheet-metal. This is the highest quality, best equipped, lowest emission, highest horsepower, best gas mileage Pony ever built by Ford. I just wish I could afford the base V6 model but such is life. I agree the 5.0 is a Camaro killer as their can only be one true Pony Car in America.
Gene D - August 24, 2010 at 04:49PM
I also beleive that the big 3 are going in a bad direction. The Boss is a good idea but lets get real, the price of cars are getting out of reach, lets bring down the prices and get away from the Manual trans stick with a Automatic that will produce better fuel mileage but with more comfort and all the bells that go with a modern car, we woulod like to see at least 40 MPG at an affordable price without the plug-ins.
Corvette Man - August 24, 2010 at 11:59AM
I think that FORD suffers from alot of the same miscommuncation inter-corporate as GM. They come out with great new engines, and transmissions, but at the same time, hype the twin turbo V6 that is barely better than the 3.7 NA V6 that comes standard in a much improved Mustang. This combo (NA V6 with either new 6 speed trans) will become the big news in Mustang land, NOT the expensive, upmarket models, such as Boss, and Shelby.
Gary Summer - August 24, 2010 at 09:55AM
I love the nostalgia trip, but keep thinking that this is why the American market is going foreign. If the best you can do is re-work a 40 year old design, your design staff sux. Besides it shows that the company is still chasing the boomer's who knew the original, 40 years ago. That is very short-sited of ford. Boomer's are a dying market share, that dwindles in numbers every year. What about the gen X, Gen Y, Gen next, etc... To me, all the car manufactures bringing out retro 60's cars shows that they have given up on anyone but the boomer's. Plus, forget the gov't telling everyone that electric is the way to go, it is a waste of time, since it is a no brainer if GM wants 40K for a volt and Ford wants the same 40K for a Boss, who needs an extension cord???
bluesun - August 24, 2010 at 08:46AM
I love the car. Was looking for a Mustang track car. This fits the bill perfectly. However, will have to see the colors in person to see if I can buy one or not. Will not spend 40k for an ugly car.
Brad - August 24, 2010 at 07:31AM
I like the new boss mustang, however if we are trying to recover from a bad market then why not lower the profit margin and regain the US market? In 07, I paid $40,000 for my GT Mustang today I can bye the same GT Mustang out the door for $24,000 and the Ford Motor Co. is still making a huge profit per car sold. Why are they not reducing the prices even lower so the imports don't stand a chance in the US market.
Mark Hatcher - August 24, 2010 at 06:45AM
I love the idea although I would prefer to experience it before I give my final comments. The other question is - can I afford it? All these elements have to be weighed, but I am definitely in love with the idea at this point. I am positively intriged by the raw power and feel that come with the design approach. I also feel good about the margin of safety that appears to be built in based on the handling characteristics described.
Who needs luxury when you can have the ride of your life in a strong, safe & awesome looking Mustang. My biggest concern would be my ability to behave myself while driving it.
Jeffrey - August 24, 2010 at 06:24AM
Ford is on a roll with the Mustang, but not so much with the graphics and color choices. I cringe whenever I see the awful new stripes on the side.
jczyzyk - August 24, 2010 at 06:23AM
based on information from comparison tests its seems to be an achiever in many aspects of its demeanors bot i think that irs woukd dramitically refine its sporty nature and i wouldlike it
GREG STRONG - August 24, 2010 at 06:13AM
It has been eagerly awaited...the novelty has worn off the camaro, now the sell game will get really interesting
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The Boss is back and we're not talking about Bruce Springsteen. Looking forward to seeing this one on the street.