The Boss is back, ladies and gentlemen!

As part of Ford->ke31's new 2013 Mustang->ke428 line-up, the Blue Oval is bringing the second installment of their resurrected Boss 302.

While the 2013 Mustang Boss 302 retains the same engine capabilities as the 2012 model, Ford made sure that the new model stands out from its predecessor in sheer looks alone. It comes bearing new styling and design details that allude to the rich and long heritage of the Boss 302 name.

“Last year, we proved the car had what it takes to perform," said Dave Pericak, the Ford Mustang's chief engineer. "This year, we focused on enhancing its eye-catching looks and celebrating its history.”

No truer words have ever been spoken because the car just looks flat-out smoking hot. The new paint finish has a history, as does the equally fresh hockey stick graphic and reflective stripes. These two, plus a whole lot more, come with the 2013 Ford Mustang Boss 302, proving without a hint of doubt that the Boss is indeed back.

And he means serious business.

Find out more about the 2013 Ford Mustang Boss 302 after the jump.

2013 Ford Mustang Boss 302

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2013 Ford Mustang Boss 302
  • Engine/Motor: 5.0-liter V8 engine
  • Horsepower: 444 horsepower
  • Torque: 380 lb/ft of torque
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior and Interior

The 2013 Ford Mustang Boss 302 is a muscle car built for performance, but that doesn't mean it doesn't come with new paint options and design details to enhance it's already eye-catching looks.

Not a lot was done to change the overall look of the car, but there have been a few additions, including a new hockey stick graphic featuring reflective stripes, harkening back to the days of the 1970 Boss 302.

In addition to the new hockey stick graphic and the reflective stripes, Ford also dressed up the new Boss 302 with a new School Bus Yellow paint finish - an homage to Parnelli Jones’ 1970 Trans-Am championship car - that's matched by new Sterling Gray accents on the front grille, mirror caps, and rear pedestal spoiler. Speaking of the front end, Ford also provided a powerful design with a more prominent grille, a new splitter, functional hood extractors, and a new lighting set-up that features HID headlamps and LED-surround taillamps. As for the rear, the Boss 302 has a new high-gloss black panel that connects the taillamps, which deliver a smoked appearance adding to the sinister and aggressive look. Rounding out the exterior details is a massive suspension upgrade that features a new set of 19" lightweight black alloy racing wheels wrapped in Pirelli PZero tires with matching Brembo brakes.

Dave Pericak states: “Everything we did for 2013 is consistent with and links directly back to our 1970 heritage. The reflective stripes and hockey stick graphic in particular mean something to Mustang enthusiasts.”

For the 2013 Boss 302, Ford included its voice-activated in-car connectivity system, the Ford SYNC. The SYNC will include, among other things, a hands-free, voice-activated calling via a Bluetooth-connected mobile phone and control of a USB-connected digital music player, and 911 Assist, the automated emergency calling service that is free for the life of the vehicle.

Performance

For the 2013 model, the Boss 302 retains the engine that was used in the 2012 model. That, of course, is a 5.0-liter V8 engine that produces 444 horsepower and 380 lb/ft of torque.

Where the engine is the same, Ford tweaked a few things on the muscle car's technical set-up to improve handling and longevity, specifically a refined suspension system that includes higher-rate coil springs on all four corners, stiffer suspension bushings, and a larger-diameter rear stabilizer bar.

Pricing

The 2013 Ford Mustang Boss 302 is scheduled to be unveiled at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show. Pricing details of the muscle car will be provided at a later date.

Competition

The unveiling of the 2013 Ford Mustang line-up, together with all the other trims and versions, has put the ball in the court of its biggest competitor, the Chevrolet Camaro->ke248.

There's no question that the recent release of the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and its LSA 6.2-liter supercharged V8 engine producing 580 horsepower and 560 lb.-ft. of torque put the spotlight on the Chevy muscle car. With that, Ford dropped its new Mustang line-up, including the new Boss 302, which may not be as powerful as the ZL1, but comes with a new style and design that makes it a true eye-catcher.

Say what you will about the 440-horsepower output of the 2013 Boss 302 and how it doesn't measure up to the ZL1, but regardless of all that, the former is still very capable out on the road. And it certainly looks good while doing it.