Automotive Street Style www.automotivestreetstyle.com

by: Lyndon Conrad Bell

Ford’s Mustang owns the distinction of being the only continuously produced American muscle car. Originally introduced in 1964, there have been many high performance variations of the Mustang over its lifetime. One of the best known is the Boss 302.

Named for its engine, the Boss 302 was created to give Mustang an edge over Camaro in the then red-hot Trans Am racing series. That car enjoyed 290 horsepower from 4.9 liters, ran 14.6 quarters, and went 0 to 60 in 6.9 seconds.

This coming spring, what’s old will be new again when Ford brings back the Boss 302. This time, the Boss Mustang will cradle a 440-horsepower 5.0-liter V8, ferociously funneling an estimated 380 ft-lbs of torque through a six-speed manual transmission. For us to say exactly how ferociously will have to wait until the 302 is released to us for testing. However, the 2011 Mustang GT 5.0, which makes 412 horsepower and 390 ft-lbs runs to 60 in the mid four-second range.

Keeping the 302 firmly grounded in its road-racing heritage, Mustang engineers went to great pains to improve the handling of the Boss to go along with its more powerful engine. Higher-rate coil springs; stiffer bushings, and a larger diameter rear stabilizer bar improve the agility factor.

To give the car a more aggressive appearance, the body is lowered 11 millimeters in front but only one millimeter in the rear. This also just happens to recall the stance of the original car. To enable drivers to tailor the car to their preferred driving style, Boss 302 Mustangs get adjustable shocks and struts.

One thing though, the shocks aren’t adjustable from the cabin. Instead, they employ a race-style underhood adjustment built into the shock tower.

To adjust the suspension, all you’ll need is a flat head screwdriver Additionally, the traction and stability control programs have a new intermediate sport mode to allow for more flexibility on the track.

For ground contact, the 302 poses on a set of unique 19-inch black-alloy racing wheels, nine inches wide up front and 9.5 inches on the rear. Pirelli P-Zero tires get grip duty. According to Ford, the Boss 302 is capable of more than 1.0 g of lateral acceleration. In other words, this pony will cut!

Pricing has yet to be set, but the Boss 302 promises to be one of the most exciting Mustang variants released to date. When we learn more, you’ll know more.