The Ford Mustang was initially launched in 1969. However, 42 long years would pass before Ford decided to produce the model's high-performance variant the Mustang 302. If you thought that the 2011 Ford Mustang GT was the best-produced vehicle by Ford, then you might want to think again.
The 2012 Ford Mustang Boss was true to its name. This car was a real boss when it came to aerodynamics, track performance, exterior and interior design, and more.
The reason why Ford took so long to come up with such a car was due to Jim Farley, who was working as VP of global marketing at Ford at the time. Farley had his reservations as he was concerned that the car would wind up doing something illegal while being caught on camera.
On the other hand, he saw how the 302 could become a cash cow for someone who is into street racing. Farley held off on the project for more than 20 years. But finally, it came to fruition.
When the decision to produce the Ford Mustang 302 was taken, the world economy was still struggling through the aftermath of the Great Recession. Kudos to the Ford team for taking such bold action. They say luck always favors the brave, and it certainly turned out to be true in this case.
Let's now look at what made the 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 such a special ride.
The Mustang 302 Was Based On The 2011 Mustang GT
The engineering team behind the world-class 2011 Ford Mustang GT was also involved in making the Mustang 302 a reality. It's therefore not surprising that the Mustang GT was a base model for the 302.
The car had an overall aggressive look thanks to its stylish splitter and fervorous fascia. The purpose of the splitter was to manage the air under the car and minimize drag forces. It also directed airflow towards the cooling system, which was designed especially for the 2012 Boss 302. On the front side, the car's grilles were highlighted by the blocked-off fog lamp openings.
When it comes to aesthetics, the 2012 Ford Mustang 302 was, in a word, stunning. Every corner of the car was carefully designed to contribute toward its aerodynamic efficiency. The same function is performed by the rear spoiler.
There were several color options available to choose from; Competition Orange, Performance White, Kona Blue Metallic, Yellow Blaze Tri-Coat Metallic, and Race Red. The roof panel came in black or white.
The Mustang 302 Had A Merciless Engine And Outstanding Performance
The 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 had a 5-liter V8 engine that delivered 440 HP and 380 lb-ft of torque. This engine was integrated with a six-speed manual transmission.
To achieve the desired horsepower, the team had to abandon the 412 HP 5.0-liter engine that was used during testing. This resulted in the development of the "runners-in-the-box" plenum/velocity stack combination.
They modified the camshaft with a more vigorous grind while keeping its previously used Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing Mechanism (Ti-VCT) from the Mustang GT. The approach used involved making this V8 engine from the top down.
The exhaust ports and combustion chambers were made of aluminum heads. These changes were responsible for the vehicle’s extraordinarily high rpm airflow. The torque handling and durability of the Boss 302 were improved by delivering a power ratio of 3.73:1 to the rear axle with the assistance of carbon fiber plates.
This innovative engineering is precisely why the 2012 Boss 302 was able to go from 0 to 60 MPH in just 4.3 seconds. It had a top speed of 157 MPH.
The Interior Design Makes You Feel Like A Boss
To design the interior of the Boss 302, Ford SVT collaborated with an automotive company named 'Recaro' that specializes in making comfortable car seats. That's why the Boss steering wheel is fitted next to Recaro buckets inside.
Ford digressed from its traditional interior design for this project. The instrument panel was given a dark metallic finish along with a trim door panel that makes the car feel strikingly luxurious on the inside. A black pool-cue shifter ball also features in the 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302.
In terms of handling, other siblings of the Ford Mustang have no hope in rivaling the Boss 302. Its adjustable shocks and struts make this vehicle exceptionally easy to drive. There are five different shock settings too. The first one is the softest; the second is the factory setting, while the fifth option is the firmest.
The 2012 Ford Mustang 302 was seen as a big threat by its competitor. When the 302 launched, it was difficult to imagine anybody beating this muscle car. However, it was inevitably surpassed by the Dodge Mopar Challenger.
With that said, the Mustang Boss 302 still had a huge impact on the automotive industry. If you fancy buying one, you could own this incredible ride for around $43,000.