Several weeks ago my son and I were able to visit the North American International Auto Show in Detroit during Industry Days. While the show was a little toned down from previous years there were some strong displays. Ford’s exhibit was crisp, clean, bright, informative and fun! My son and I had fun racing Mustang slot cars against each other. The Mercedes booth was also very impressive and featured some amazing vehicles, lots of color, lots of glitz and the gull wing vehicles immediately captured our attention and our imagination! BMW likewise had an impressive exhibit featuring their latest 6 series performance car on a rotating stage which I must confess I spent a lot of time sitting in and admiring the interior. Chrysler, General Motors, Hyundai, Ferrari, Maserati, Rolls Royce, Tesla and Maybach also had displays.
While we saw a lot of cars, sat in most, and spoke to the hosts to learn even more about the vehicles we fell in love with the new 2012 Boss 302. It was 40 years ago when the last Boss was manufactured back in 1970. The 2012 version is a light weight performance car that is track ready not one of those marketing generated packages that are all too common these days. (You know the models I am talking about –the ones that add a nice decal with a fancy name and can only boast having a little cosmetic fluff over the base model.
The 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 is true to its heritage. It will be fitted with the 5.0 Liter “Coyote”, currently on the Mustang GT. The Boss version receives new cams, a refined intake that provides 440 hp. The Boss gets a racing clutch, short – shifter, stiffer sway bars, adjustable suspension and 14” Brembo brakes. The interior features a tuned up GT interior with black panels and optional Recaro seats.
The folks at SVO worked aggressively to make the Boss 302 a true dream machine for muscle car enthusiasts. The suspension, handling and balance of the Boss 302 has been benchmarked against the BMW M3.
I got to tell ya, I have been a Mustang fan since I was two years old riding in my father’s 1964 and 1/2 Notch Back Coupe. That car was just cool no matter where he drove it, teenagers and adults were drawn to the charismatic pony car. When I grew up I wanted to own a Mustang so badly I could not stand it. I had dreamed about the car for so long that I knew exactly what I wanted. A ’66 Convertible Hi-Po 289 with deluxe pony interior and wood grain steering wheel. I was fortunate to find one owned by a small town Sheriff and he sold it to me sight unseen over the phone because I did not want it to get away.
I loved that car and still love that car, in fact it has moved with me across the country, from the West Coast to the upper Mid-West. She has become part of the family. A couple years back we brought our Mustang with us for our family picture session. It is one of my favorite pictures of my family as it just seems perfect.
Now while I am often called a Ford guy, I also have a passion for German performance cars as well and I have intensely appreciated every BMW I have owned. I love the solidly designed form, fit and function of BMW vehicles. The detail work has always impressed me and the robust engineering that makes a BMW a true pleasure to drive. If Ford is looking to benchmark some of the finer points of the M3 to aid in development of the Boss 302 I am even more impressed and I am itching to drive the new Boss
--Jeff
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