Today's News by Jack Nerad for Driving Today

Boss 302: Classic Muslecar Makes a Comeback

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

In these green days, low carbon dioxide emissions seem to trump fun.

And in an era when low expectations are greeted with even lower realities, it would have been easy for Ford Motor Co. to concentrate on its hybrids and forget all about performance vehicles like the Ford Mustang. But instead, the resurgent American company made the Mustang better than ever.  

The newest evidence is the return of the fabled Boss 302, which was previewed at the recent Rolex Historic Races at Laguna Seca Raceway outside Monterey, Calif.  Mustang Chief Engineer Dave Pericak, who participated in the unveiling, assured all in attendance that the new Boss 302 will be a worthy successor to its namesake. That is a tall order, since the Boss 302 is one of the most revered models of the muscle car era.

Obviously a new version has to have performance written all over it, and Ford hasn’t skimped. In the new edition, Ford’s 5-liter V-8 engine has been tweaked to produce 440 horsepower -- up 28 horsepower from the already stout output on the Mustang GT. More aggressive camshaft profiling and re-calibrated electronic controls are two of the keys to the added output, but the most noteworthy modification is the unique quad exhaust system that supplements the standard twin outlets with two additional pipes exiting just ahead of the rear wheels. Not only does the exhaust flow more freely, but it also creates a sound that takes you back to a more innocent, more positive time.

Another modern-but-throwback aspect of the Boss 302 is its suspension setup, which features adjustable shocks with five levels of control. The shocks are adjusted not with a button or dial on the console but with a classic flathead screwdriver: simple, effective, reliable and light.

At the same time, the model is equipped with a state-of-the-art electronic stability and traction control system. Also on the menu is an electronic power steering setup that offers three levels of driver-selectable assist while helping to boost fuel economy.

Fuel economy obviously wasn’t top of the list of priorities, but both straight-line speed and excellent handling were. The suspension along with the 19-inch wheels and meaty tires allow the Boss 302 to achieve a stellar 1 g of lateral acceleration on the skid pad -- incredible road-holding.

Oh, and did we mention the new Boss 302 looks cool, especially to those who admired the macho image of the original? Subtle it is not, as the six available exterior colors -- Competition Orange, Performance White, Kona Blue Metallic, Yellow Blaze, Tri-Coat Metallic and Race Red -- imply.

The Boss 302 will be available next spring as a 2012 model.

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