Mustang History 2012

Mustang History: 2012

2011 2013

The Boss Mustang returns for 2012. The Boss Mustang is a revered name even at Ford and the engineering team thought long and hard about how to properly recreate a legend, with all the advantages of modern technology and the new 5 liter engine.

There are actually two distinct incarnations of the 2012 Mustang Boss 302. The first, is what you might think of as the street Boss Mustang, while the second, known as the Boss 302 Laguna Seca, takes the race bred treatment even further, both, as a tribute to the original Parnelli Jones win in a 1969 Boss 302 in the 1970 Trans-Am season opener and unveiling what might just become a great showroom stock entry for some lucky owners.

A special stripe treatment, reminiscent of the 1969 Boss has been added to enhance the family resemblance as has the addition of a flat black or white hood and roof treatment, depending on the side stripe color.

The Boss receives engine upgrades as well. Ford added a lumpier cam, improved the breathing in the heads and added a larger and unique new 4 pipe exhaust. For added success on the track, a new intake was designed for better power in the upper RP\M ranges. The end result is an output of 440 horsepower at 380 pounds of torque, while still offering a smooth idle. Couple that to a close ratio six speed manual transmission and a heavy duty clutch and that new short throw shifter makes mincemeat out of the road.

For the most part, the rest of the 2012 Mustang lineup changes little from 2011 models. Ford has removed the Sterling Gray Metallic color, replacing it with Lava Red Metallic.

Continued for the 2012 V6 Model, is the Mustang Club of America Special Edition, which includes unique striping and logo, rear decklid spoiler, painted dark stainless billet grille, front mounter lower front fascia (bumper) fog lights and Automatic headlamps.

The V6 pony package, comes with polished aluminum wheels, and a unique grille, fog lamps, Pony badging and unique tape stripe.

The 2012 California Special package is also still available, with a chrome billet grille and body colored surround, unique lower fascia with headlamps and a rear spoiler and fascia splitter. It also includes special 19" painted wheels, door panel "Carbon" inserts, along with leather seats also sporting a "carbon" insert treatment.

Changes to the interior are relatively minor as well, save for the addition the new "Lava Red Interior" option, which includes lava red door inserts, and leather seat inserts. There are also some minor changes to the door trim, headliner and A pillars, which will see a darker charcoal finish.

Also as part of the 2012 Mustang specs, is a Recaro sport seats and Helical Differential option, which adds cloth lined Recaro sport seats, along with a TORSEN helical differential, housing a 3.73:1 gear, the same as you'll find in the Boss 302 and Laguna Seca.

Engines