DEARBORN, Michigan — Along with the announcement that Ford is unveiling its 2011 Mustang GT equipped with the new 5.0-liter V8 engine at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show, the blue oval automaker has taken the wraps off the track-only 2011 Mustang Boss 302R loaded with the same power plant.
The vehicle was designed and built in honor of the 40th anniversary of Parnelli Jones's 1970 Trans-Am championship while piloting a Mustang Boss 302. Considering it is not street legal, it will only be allowed to be driven on the track in Grand-Am, SCCA and NASA-sanctioned events.
Although details are scant, we do know that the Boss 302R gets a 5.0-liter V8 with 412 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque. The hopped-up pony will also feature a roll cage, safety harness, data acquisition technology, race suspension, special tires and those token Boss "hockey stick" side stripes.
The package is considered a racing part, and will be available through most Ford dealerships for $79,000. Only 50 will be built by Ford Racing, with deliveries expected to start in the third quarter of 2010.
Another vehicle, dubbed the Boss 302R1 or M-FR500-Boss R1, will also be built, although this one will be specifically for the Grand-Am Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge series. Ford will construct five of the cars for $129,000 in time for the season's January 29 start in Daytona, Florida. Its specs include a sealed and high-output racing engine, upgraded cooling system, close-ratio six-speed transmission with integral shifter, seam-welded body, racing suspension with KONI dampers, racing exhaust and a high-speed balance one-piece driveshaft.
Inside Line says: The Boss is finally back with the new 302R and 302R1 Mustangs. — Mike Lysaght, Correspondent
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