2012 Boss Mustang Comes With Two Keys - One for Street and One for Track

You hold two keys: One has a black Boss logo, the other red: Either will start your 2012 Mustang Boss 302. Slide the all-black key into the lock cylinder, give it a twist and you’re treated to 444 ponies worth of smooth, streetable driving joy. Or choose red - the TracKey - and you have a competition-ready track car.

A joint project between Mustang engineers and Ford Racing, TracKey adds a second set of powertrain control module (PCM) software to a customer's Mustang Boss 302, activated by a specially programmed vehicle key. When invoked by TracKey, the new TracMode software alters more than 200 engine management parameters, increasing low-end torque and turning the potent but well-mannered stock Boss into a competition-ready track car. Remove TracKey and start Boss with the standard key, and all factory engine settings are restored for a comfortable drive home from the course.

"From an engine management standpoint, we've done just about everything possible to give TracKey users a full race car experience," explains Jeff Seaman, Mustang powertrain engineer. "It's not for use on the street - for example, the deceleration is set up to preserve the brakes, and the throttle response is very aggressive. A skilled driver on a closed course will really appreciate the benefits."

As part of the TracKey software package, Ford engineers also devised a two-stage launch control feature similar to that used on the Cobra Jet race car. Using a combination of steering wheel buttons, drivers can set the tach needle to a desired launch rpm. Floor the throttle and the engine will rev to the preset rpm until the clutch is released, helping aid acceleration and vehicle control from a standing start.

Retrobuilt Classic Boss 302 Conversion for the S197 Mustang

For those Mustang fans that want the styling of the classic Boss 302 with the convenience and performance of the new S197 Mustang, Retrobuilt of Nixa, Missouri has a possible solution. The company will fully convert any 2005 to current Mustang to look like a 1970 Boss 302, although it’s easy to tell that the proportions aren’t quite exact. The conversion package includes fiberglass body panels plus a shaker hood assembly, 18″ custom wheels, HID headlights, authentic stainless steel trim and more.

Both fastback and convertible models are available, and the complete package is priced at $32,900 and $33,900, respectively, although that doesn’t include the price of the donor car.

After 35 Years, Stolen Mustang Returns To Owner

A Los Angeles publisher has gotten his stolen Mustang back--35 years later.

LA Daily News publisher Jack Klunder had the 1966 Mustang bought by his father stolen from a college parking lot in 1974. Late last year, the California Highway Patrol called him to report they'd found it.

"They promised me they'd call if they found it," Jack says. "But that was in 1974."

The Klunders headed to the impound lot, where they found the car in pretty bad shape. Klunder nearly gave the car back to the previous owner, who was unaware it had ever been stolen, but he decided he'd keep it. He turned the car over to his friend, who owned a body shop. About two weeks ago, the completely restored 1966 Mustang came home to Klunder's driveway.

You can read the whole story at the LA Daily News.

Jay Leno Takes a Tour of the 2012 Boss 302 Mustang

[Video no longer available]

The Boss is back! Join Jay for an exclusive look at Mustang’s highest performing model yet, inspired by the car Larry Shinoda designed to beat Camaro in the 1969 Trans-Am series. Forty years in the making, this Laguna Seca edition may be street legal, it’s built for the track.

[Source: JayLenosGarage.com]

2011 Ford Mustang GT vs. 2011 BMW M3 Coupe

The folks over at Motor Trend have posted a comparison between the 2011 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 and the 2011 BMW M Coupe. Both cars have aluminum block V8 engines - 414 horsepower for the M3 and 412 horsepower for the Mustang, so MotorTrend thought it was a good idea to put the two head-to-head in a performance test. The Mustang performed quite well on the drag strip and held its own on the road course, putting up some impressive numbers.

Head over to Motor Trend to check out the rest of the Story.