The first special edition Mustang->ke428 Boss 302 was unveiled back in 1969. It was the only time the 302 was approved for production and would be the only time until 42 years later. Now, the Boss man returns in the base form of a 2011 Mustang GT. Ford is not only bringing out a Boss, but they are also revealing a special edition Boss 302 Laguna Seca model, named for the track where Parnelli Jones won the 1970 Trans-Am season opener in a Boss 302.

The most special Mustang of all time will go on sale at a price of $40,995 for the Boss 302 version and at $47,990 for the Laguna Seca version. Both versions will carry a 5.0 liter V8 engine that delivers 440 HP and 380 lb.-ft. of torque and is mated to a close-ratio six-speed manual transmission. The difference between the two versions will lie in the Laguna Seca's missing rear seat, upgraded suspension, and killer aerodynamic package.

Now that all of the technical mumbo jumbo is out of the way, we have to say how excited we are that Ford->ke31 was finally able to approve a model that was good enough to be called the Boss. Hopefully, we won't have to wait another 40 years to experience another delectable version of the classic Mustang Boss 302.

UPDATE 03/09/2011: If you've forgotten about the Mustang Boss 302 - who could? - it's time to refresh your memory as Ford has placed a online that allows you to play a bit with the options the company is offering for the Boss 302.

UPDATE 03/30/2011: What's the best way to prove that the Boss 302 is among the best on the market? Take it to the asphalt, baby! The Mustang Boss 302 was recently tested for the the quarter-mile and a stock car with Drag Radials managed an impressive 11.4 seconds while doing 117 mph. Hit the jump for the video!

More details on the Ford Mustang Boss 302 after the jump.

2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302
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Pros
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Exterior

On the exterior, the Boss 302 will be distinguished by either a black or white roof panel, a unique fascia, and grille highlighted by the blocked-off fog lamp openings and aggressive lower splitter. It will also feature a redesigned front splitter. The Boss sits on lightweight 19-inch black alloy racing wheels wrapped around Pirelli PZero summer tires, 255/40ZR-19 tires in the front and 285/35ZR-19 tires in the rear. The Mustang Boss 302 will be available in Competition Orange, Performance White, Kona Blue Metallic, Yellow Blaze Tri-Coat Metallic, and Race Red.

Interior

On the interior, it will get a unique Boss steering wheel covered completely in Alcantara suede and Recaro buckets designed by Ford SVT in cooperation with Recaro. The Boss 302 will also have a dark metallic instrument panel finish, gauge cluster, and door panel trim. A black pool-cue shifter ball and “Powered by Ford” door sill plates can also be found in the Boss 302.

“The new Boss 302 completely redefines Mustang capability,” said Mark Fields, Ford president of The Americas. “That the Mustang team was able to take the current Mustang GT – already a world-class performance car – and refine it further for peak track performance shows the commitment Ford has to this car and its legions of fans.”

Engine

The new Mustang Boss 302 is powered by a 5.0 liter V8 engine that delivers 440 HP and 380 lb.-ft. of torque and is mated to a close-ratio six-speed manual transmission. The cars gets revised camshafts using a more aggressive grind, a more aggressive control calibration, a Boss-specific intake system, and a retuned induction sound tube.

Speaking of sound, the automotive music coming out of the Boss' V8 engine will be heard clearly coming out of the unique quad exhaust system installed on the vehicle. The outlets are split between the back of the car and either side of the exhaust crossover. The side exhausts are beneficial because they don't actually emit a ton of exhaust; their job is to release the sound of the engine.

New Technology

The 2012 Mustang Boss 302 will also be offered with TracKey which adds TracMode powertrain control software to the car for track use, providing full race calibration and two-stage launch control in addition to stock calibration. The TracKey also increases the engine's output from 440 to 444 HP.

TracKey is enabled by using a specially programmed vehicle key instead of the standard key. This TracKey will enable the Tracmode powertrain to adjust variable cam timing, spark maps, engine braking, fuel control, and about 200 other engine parameters. Once the regular key is used the PCM settings are taken from the factory settings as easily as they were before the TracKey was used.

Suspension

With the track in mind, Ford engineers had to focus on stability and strength to keep the Boss on the floor. For this reason, higher-rate coil springs on all four corners, stiffer suspension bushings, and a larger-diameter rear stabilizer bar help make this happen. The Mustang Boss 302 is also lowered by 11 millimeters at the front and 1 millimeter at the rear versus the Mustang GT. Adjustable shocks and struts have also been added to improve handling and come standard on all Boss models.

Pricing

The most special Mustang of all time will go on sale at a price of $40,995 for the Boss 302 version and at $47,990 for the Laguna Seca version. The options list is not very long as it only includes Recaro Seats with Torsen Differential priced at $1,995, a Boss 302 Accessory Package priced at $475, and a Yellow Blaze TriCoat Paint priced at $495.

Competition

After 40 years of waiting, we can't imagine that anyone would prefer a different muscle car than the Mustang Boss 302, but there's always someone ready to take the Mopar Challenger or the Camaro ZL1 over Ford's finest.

The Dodge Mopar Challenger is powered by a 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine that produces 470 HP and 470 lb.-ft. of torque. The Chevrolet Camaro ZLI is powered by an LSA 6.2L supercharged V-8 engine that produces an estimated 550 HP and 550 lb.-ft. of torque. Both of these muscle cars come sporting more power than the Boss, but the Mustang has a certain amount of heritage that makes it the perfect choice for many people.