2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 - The Boss Is Back

Ever since 2001 when Ford began issuing special-editions based on vintage Mustangs (Bullitt, Mach 1, California Special, and Shelby GT500), there has been much speculation about the possibility of a new Boss model. With the introduction of the '11 Mustang GT and its new 412hp 5.0-liter engine-conveniently displacing 302 cubic inches-the time was right to bring back the Boss.

The small team of engineers, stylists, and designers who worked on the project knew they were dealing with a hallowed name. "We weren't going to let Boss become a sticker and wheel package," said Mustang chief engineer Dave Pericak. "We couldn't put that name on a new Mustang until we were sure everything was in place to make this car a worthy successor. We were either going to do it right or not do it all."

Based on the equipment and specifications, they've done it right. Like the original '69-'70 Boss 302s, the new version has unique engine components, for both 440 hp and high-rpm durability, and a suspension that transforms the car into the "best handling Mustang ever," a description that Car & Driver gave the '69 Boss 302. Visually, it pays homage to the '69 with C-stripes but thankfully doesn't try to copy the '69-'70 spoilers and window slats, which would look dated on the updated '10-'12 styling. The '12 Boss 302's front splitter and rear spoiler are decidedly modern.

As for secrets, word is out that the Boss 302 is set for at least a two-year run. The '13 model, we hear, will feature graphics more like the '70 Boss 302.

Engine
Just as the '11 GT's new 5.0-liter provided the 302 cubic inches for bringing back the Boss name, the new four-valve engine also gave engine engineers a great 412hp platform to build on. Although realizing that supercharging would be the easiest way to add more power for a Boss model, the 5.0-liter engineers assigned to the Boss project decided early on to stay true to the original Boss 302 by sticking with a naturally-aspirated engine. They even enlisted help from two members of the '69 Boss 302 design team.

"We understand and respect the heritage of the name and the history behind the original engine," said Mike Harrison, Ford's V-8 engine program manager. "The first Boss 302 was a specially-built, free-breathing, high-revving small V-8 that gave it certain characteristics on a race course-and we capture that essence in the new engine."

With its 7,500-rpm redline, the new Boss 302 takes a cue from its earlier namesake with strengthened short-block components. In addition to race-spec crankshaft bearings, the bottom end is fitted with forged aluminum pistons and sinter-forged connecting rods. Revised oil pan baffling improves oil control during cornering loads.

The 440 horsepower-the most ever from a naturally-aspirated production Ford engine-is delivered through a six-speed manual transmission, with a short-throw shifter, to a 3.73 rear axle with carbon-fiber plates in the limited-slip differential. A torque-sensing Torsen limited-slip differential is available as an option, coupled with Recaro seats.

Suspension
With a mandate to produce the best handling Mustang ever, Boss engineers refined the Mustang GT suspension with higher rate springs, stiffer bushings, larger rear stabilizer bar, and a slightly lower stance. The real key to handling, however, is the adjustable struts and shocks with five settings. Instead of relying on electronics, the engineers have made the adjustment manual, with easy accessibility under the hood and inside the trunk. A small flat-head screwdriver is all that's needed to make adjustments from setting One for the softest position to setting Five for improved track response.

Working with the suspension are Pirelli PZero tires, 255/40ZR-19 on the front and wider 285/35ZR-19s on the rear. Unique lightweight wheels are also staggered with 9-inch rims on the front and 91/2-inch versions at the rear. According to Ford, the combination of suspension package and tires makes the '12 Boss 302 the first non-SVT Mustang to achieve over 1.0g of lateral acceleration.

On the Boss 302, the speed-sensitive electronic steering has been retuned to maximize road feel for the driver and includes fine-tuning via the instrument cluster menu for comfort, normal, and sport modes. The Boss also gets a unique traction control system and electronic stability control. Both can be completely disabled for maximum performance driving.

Exhaust
Perhaps the most unique aspect of the '12 Boss 302 is its quad exhaust system. Two outlets exit at the rear, similar to the Mustang GT, while another pair of outlets exit to either side of the crossover to send exhaust through a set of metal attenuation discs that act as tuning elements before the pipes terminate in front of the rear wheel openings. Visually subtle, the side pipes flow very little exhaust but add to the sonic experience-described by one source as "quadraphonic." The discs are removable and engineers even made sure they were sized so owners could add aftermarket dump valves. "If an owner wants to add a set of electric valves, they can just undo two bolts on either side to remove the discs and spacer," explains Mustang NHV engineer Shawn Carney. "Then the dump valves can slide right in."

Due to the side exit exhaust and a retuned sound tube in the induction system, the new Boss 302 has an exhaust note all its own.

The original Boss 302 was one of the first street Mustangs to take advantage of aerodynamics with its front spoiler and optional rear wing. For '12, the concept is updated with a modern-style front splitter designed to manage air flow under and around the car to reduce underbody drag and front end lift while also forcing air into the Boss-specific cooling system. At the rear, a carefully selected spoiler complements the front aero treatment to minimize drag.

"We were looking for reduced overall lift with improved balance," says Pericak. "The end result is an aero package that uses front, rear, and underbody treatments-not for show but for effect."

Something Special
According to Pericak, the Mustang team wanted to offer enthusiasts something special with the '12 Boss 302. "It's a beautifully balanced, factory-built race car that can be driven on the street," Pericak says. "The Boss 302 isn't something that a Mustang GT owner can buy all the parts for out of a catalog or a tuner can get by adding a chip. This is a front-to-back re-engineered Mustang with every system designed to make a good driver great and a great driver even better."

For handling to match its Trans-Am image, the original Boss 302 came with Goodyear's new Polyglas GT tires, stiff springs, and calibrated shocks. Car & Driver magazine described the Boss 302's handling as, "The new standard by which everything from Detroit must be judged."

Then-Ford designer Larry Shinoda is credited for coming up with the Boss name. "It was a name the kids understood instantly," he told us many years ago. "The name had charisma, and it was also a handle our merchandising people could do something with." Well-known as a performance and racing enthusiast, Shinoda also created the Boss 302's front spoiler, black-out treatment, reflective side striping, and optional rear spoiler and window slats.

Ford sold 1,612 Boss 302s in 1969. The model returned for 1970 with wilder striping, selling 7,013.

"The Laguna Seca package puts a race-ready version of the Boss 302 into enthusiasts' hands," said Mark Fields, Ford's president of The Americas. "The Laguna Seca isn't intended for buyers who want a daily driver. Think of it as a factory-built race car."

Offered in two colors only-Black or Ingot Silver-with red C-stripes, roof panel, and accents, the Laguna Seca model builds on the already impressive '12 Boss 302 with deleted rear seats, rear X-brace, larger rear stabilizer bar, higher rate springs, unique tuning of the adjustable struts and shocks, Recaro front bucket seats, front brake cooling ducts, and unique 19-inch wheels with R-compound Pirelli PZero tires. Ford calls it the "best-handling production Mustang ever."

Named for the track where Parnelli Jones drove his '70 Boss 302 to its first win in a season that would culminate in a Trans-Am championship, the Laguna Seca Boss 302 gets an aggressive front splitter that adds down force at the front while also channeling air under and around the car. A unique rear spoiler is sized to complement the effect of the splitter, adding up to 90 pounds of down force at 140 mph.