Legendary Boss Mustang returns to Ford corral

BY IRA SIEGEL For Sun-Times Media November 21, 2011 11:51AM

2012 FORD MUSTANG BOSS 302

ENGINE: 444-horsepower 5.0-liter V-8

TRANSMISSION: six-speed manual

DRIVETRAIN: rear-wheel drive

FUEL ECONOMY: 17 city/26 highway

BASE PRICE: $40,145

AS TESTED: $42,990 (including $850 for destination)

WEBSITE: ford.com

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The limited-production 2012 Boss 302 is a street-legal race car that is track-ready right out of the box. In fact, those who are lucky enough to purchase the Boss 302 also get the Boss Track Attack program. It features driving instruction and plenty of track time with engineers and racers at Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah. Boss owners need to make their own travel and accommodation arrangements, but the use of cars at the track and the instruction are courtesy of Ford.

Another Boss special treat is TracKey. Available after transfer of title to the owner and installed at the dealership, TracKey adds TracMode powertrain control software to the car for track use. It provides full race calibration and two-stage launch control in addition to stock calibration, without compromising factory warranty.

The two-stage launch control is similar to what was used on the Cobra Jet race car. Steering-wheel-mounted buttons allow drivers to set the tachometer needle to a desired launch rpm. Then they can floor the throttle and the engine will rev to the preset rpm until the clutch is released.

At the heart of this awesome looking and performing race car is a Boss-specific 5.0-liter DOHC V-8 engine. Tuned by the Boss team, this naturally-aspirated all-aluminum engine produces 444 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque.

This engine is based on the 2011 Mustang GT 5.0-liter V-8 but it has been heavily modified. Some of the Boss-specific parts include a revised intake system, high-strength aluminum-alloy cylinder heads with fully CNC-machined ports and chambers, lightened valve train components and revised oil pan baffling.

And unlike normal engine development, the first batch of Boss-specific engines weren’t tested in a dyno room. Nope, they went straight to the track and were tested in race cars. This helped Ford further develop and tweak them for production.

The Boss 302’s power goes through a short-throw, close-ratio six-speed manual transmission onto a limited-slip 3.73-ratio rear axle using carbon fiber clutch plates.

For those wanting more precise control, a torque-sensing Torsen differential is an available option ($1,995) coupled with Recaro front bucket seats.

The Boss features specific badging and styling cues, along with firmer springs and bushings. The suspension system also features a beefier rear stabilizer bar and manually adjustable dampeners.

The Boss is shod with Pirelli P Zero (255/40ZR19 front, 285/35ZR19 rear) tires mounted on lightweight charcoal gray alloy 10-spoke racing wheels.

The Boss’ braking system features Brembo four-piston fixed calipers acting on 14-inch rotors up front and single-piston floating calipers with a Boss-specific pad compound acting on 11.8-inch rotors in the rear.

Along with a stiffer suspension system, the Boss is lowered by 11 millimeters in the front and just 1 millimeter in the rear.

I couldn’t wait to take my Boss 302 tester for a ride after it was dropped off. The optional Recaro seats drew my immediate attention as I opened the door, and the Boss delivered everything and more that it promises.

I couldn’t keep my foot off the throttle and enjoyed hearing the exhaust roar with every jab on the pedal.

The Boss’ engine is powerful and refined as it delivers pavement-pounding power that launches this car like a rocket.

Handling is great, too. The Boss 302 is as fun to drive as cars that cost thousands more. And for those wanting even more track readiness, the Boss Laguna Seca takes things a bit further with a stiffer chassis, less weight and an aero package.

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