Boss Mustang will be stripper with GT500 parts
We reported late last year that Ford was probably working on a Boss version of the S197 Mustang. Motor Trend is reporting in its September issue that the Boss Mustang is definitely a go for the model year before a refreshed Mustang bows in 2008. Our own Eric Bryant reported it will likely be powered by a naturally-aspirated 5.4-liter V8 version of Ford's Mod motor architecture, while Motor Trend claims it will be a V8 of about 5.0-liters in size. Eric and MT do agree, however, that the Boss Mustang will make 390 horsepower.
MT also reveals that the Boss Mustang will get the Shelby GT500's complete suspension set up and that the interior will be stripped out to reduce weight. It sounds like the Boss Mustang will be a great pony car to purchase before the muscle cars are renewed in a few years. It'll likely be as light as a V6 Mustang, more powerful than a GT, and less expensive than a Shelby GT500.
[Source: Sept. issue of Motor Trend]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Will 8:30AM (7/25/2006)
I wonder if this will slow down some of the dealers taking $20k markups over sticker on the GT500? Why over pay by that much when you can get a Boss for much less in a couple of years.
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Pat 8:57AM (7/25/2006)
I'm sure when the Boss comes out the dealers will mark up it's price as well. Having a model between the GT and the GT500 will probably only make it so the dealers can't get as much as they have been for the GT.
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MikeW 9:51AM (7/25/2006)
Both mustangs' have crap for traction.
http://media.ford.com/products/presskit_display.cfm?vehicle_id=1459&press_section_id=398&make_id=92
The 5 speed manual shift are within four pounds of each other.
and since the GT had dual rear mufflers (more content) it is actually lighter.
Where does MotorTrend get these things
Hey Ford where is the 3.5? and why only 5 quarts with the V6 and 6 with the V8, especially when you use 5w-20? 6/7 would be better.
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TJ Hooker 11:16AM (7/25/2006)
MikeW, why would Ford add more oil capacity, there going to break down anyway, remember they are Ford's.
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BP Chicago 11:46AM (7/25/2006)
"In God We Trust. All others must bring data."
Guys, instead of looking at this situation through a hole in the fence, take a bird's eye economic view. Ford will produce very different volumes of each V8 car:
Shelby GT500 buyers make up a much smaller demographic and Ford knows this. They're in a different league than those middle-class folks squeezing out payments on a regular Mustang GT. They want and must have a better Mustang than you.
The Boss, also a small volume production, will sell to those in-between, like the Bullitt did a few years ago. Buyers with more disposable cash than GT owners who don't want to "pony-up" the $45-55k for a GT500 will get the Boss. Then they'll use what's leftover to go on vacation, buy a hot-tub, fix the house, etc. Then a Bullitt version may come out in 2008 as a 40yr anniversary model.
If you don't like this, don't worry. Wait a year or two and buy a used Boss after depreciation.
MikeW, this blog is about the Boss Mustang, so what is your point? Your distracting comments draw hard conclusions that make no logical or engineering sense whatsoever and degrade the value of this blog. All I ask is that people like you stick to the original subject, then back-up what you're talking about with facts or simply be quiet. You did neither. Have you driven a Mustang V6 and GT back-to-back? No. Have you studied the history of the V6 and V8 engines. No.
1) I personally know one of the engineers who worked on the traction and braking system in these cars. It is actually quite robust for a solid axle set-up and has received some commendation by those in the industry. It senses wheel speed, regulates fuel flow, and modulates the braking system in harmony repeatedly for 150,000+ miles in testing. Or you can turn it off and slide the car sideways to your heart's delite. I have.
2) The base engines in most any car must fit several different platforms. These 2 engines were also developed in different decades. The 4.0L V6 has technically been around for many years as a truck powerplant with minimal development dollars available to repackage in the Mustang. Meanwhile the aluminum block 4.6L V8 was specifically re-developed and re-packaged for this SN97 Mustang platform, allowing them to design a larger capacity oil pan than on the previous iron block 4.6L V8. Use of VCT on the 4.6L also requires more oil capacity than the 4.0L.
3) I too would like to see the 3.5L V6 in the base Stang, (255HP with 87 Octane, and no VCT!) but development was just completed, so it may find it's way into the base 2009 Mustang engine bay. An FFV or hybrid version of every engine would be nice as well, but now I'm getting way too progressive.
Project Engineer for a Ford supplier,
Future owner of a Boss Mustang.
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Nat 2:30PM (7/25/2006)
The fact that the weight difference between the latest V6 and GT Mustangs is so slight is worth noting. What's going on there? That 4.0 V6 must be really heavy.
Saying that this new Boss will be as light as the V6 is not saying anything at all. GT drivers could skip lunch for a week to make up the difference.
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BP Chicago 3:42PM (7/25/2006)
4.0L V6 = iron block, old truck design.
4.6L V8 = aluminum block, design optimized for Mustang.
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doglet 4:22PM (7/25/2006)
dont expect it to be very lightweight if they put that iron block 5.4, hopefully they will go with a 4.6 bored over to 5.0
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Chris 1:58PM (7/26/2006)
They will probably use the same aluminum block 5.4 as the GT and the GT500 only detuned and without the supercharger.
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doglet 6:39PM (7/26/2006)
the block in the gt500 is iron
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MikeW 12:11PM (7/27/2006)
The 2006 honda civic with the R18A1, takes 4 quarts + 0.25 quarts for the filter.
The base mustang takes 5 with filter. Sure the Honda has 5 main bearings, but an even 6 quarts of 5w-20 would be nice (if you intend to use 5w-20 oil) and 8 quarts with the V8, again if you want to use 5w-20.
Look at most car mags lately, they have tested BMW's Z4M coupe against the Porsche Cayman2. The http://www.bmwworld.com/engines/s54.htm
has way more power than the Porsche 3.4, and yet the Porsche is quicker in the 1/4 and faster around a racetrack. Traction!
The mustang has an improved weight distribution over the last one, mainly by virtue of more weight overall for the base, and the aluminum block for the GT.
I would like to have a grear american rear drive car [no on makes it], but the Corvette is an old mans GT (good car, but $45K isn't the everymans car) Camaro/Firebird also had no traction, and no utility.
The rx-8 is closest to what would be ideal, 52/48 unladen weight distribution.
Yes the brakes on the GT are good, and ford left room by fitting wide wheels so 215/65 16 can be exchanged for 235/60 16, and the 17x8s can get 255/50 17.
Why doesn't ford fit a 6 speed manual and 6 speed automatic? They should raise the bottom instead of the top. Ford took care of 'traction control' in the CobraR of a few years back by fitting the GeroDisc, it would be a nice option. Does the mustang have a full size spare wheel? Finally Ford moved the fuel tank inside of the wheelbase, I have seen too many ISP induced accidents where the cop rear ends cars with rear mounted gas tanks, burst and the car burns to the ground. That was especially egregious when the cops still drove the Caprice.
I was hoping for a 280hp 3.5 V6 from a premium fuel, dual exhaust, dual variable camshaft phasing engine.
Something to make the 2gr-fse take notice.
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BP Chicago 1:34PM (7/28/2006)
I appreciate some of your comments MikeW, but you’re forgetting the most important factor. COST. The other true sports cars you mention are far more sophisticated and expensive than a fully loaded Mustang GT.
BMW and Porsche can spend more money on those and pass the cost on to you. If you can’t afford one, that is not their problem. The RX-8 (~$27k) is a completely different kind of car with a small, high-revving rotary engine. Not exactly V8 muscle car material, but very respectable.
You miss the purpose of a Mustang. It is a HIGH-VOLUME “people’s muscle car”, not a true low volume "sports car" like the others. A Mustang is designed to be easily tuned by the owner. If you want a bigger oil pan, install one. If you want wider wheels/tires, buy them. You’ll still come in around $31k, unless you’re too lazy. Then just pay the premium for a true sports car. You can’t do that with a Z4 or Cayman for $30k.
Why no 6-speeds? COST. Plus it is not necessary (for this V8 driveline) to achieve the acceleration and EPA mileage targets set for this car. Believe me, Ford thought about this one, more so for mileage than acceleration. The low-torque 6-speed in the Mazda RX-8 is far less expensive than the high-torque 6-speed required for a Mustang.
Please don’t knock the Corvette. In the right hands it will embarrass nearly every other car on the road or on a track. I’m not a fan of GM, but they did an outstanding job of engineering a car this capable in the mere $45-55k range. Could you design such a car? Maybe you just wish you made more money?
MikeW, I have nothing personal against you. I am trying to give you the whole economic picture, that is all. You want an affordable, American V8, rear-drive car? OK. PLEASE quietly test-drive a new fully loaded Premium Mustang GT (~$29k) with a manual 5-speed and charcoal leather interior. (The other colors look too cheap inside.) It is very clear that you have not driven this car. You will be surprised at how solid the body feels for a $25-30k car. It is tight as a suitcase. The new suspension and longer wheelbase will give you a surprisingly good ride. The V8 is a blast.
You’ll probably find more body roll than you’d like if you’re picky like me, and the interior plastic could be a touch nicer, but again Mike---it’s only $29K!!! For $500 you can stiffen the suspension to your liking. It even has a decent trunk with fold down seats! Please try to be objective about this experiment Mike and let go of any anti-Ford feelings you may secretly harbor for just 1 hour and drive it. Then write back. [Will he do it???] If you don't like it, buy a Cayman for $69k.
Finally, your fears about exploding gas tanks are completely irrelevant and unfounded. The Mustang is unibody and the gas tank is made of plastic. It is also metal-shielded near the driveshaft and gear housing. The linkage and panhard rod will cause the rear axle to twist in an extreme rear collision, pushing it down with the unibody. The Caprice and Crown Vic cop cars were cheap body-on-chassis platforms originally designed in the 80’s. Totally different.
The Boss will still be a nice, easy to tune 390hp package (for ~$35k?) Parts will be cheaper and more readily available than for the other cars.
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pat 2:30PM (7/28/2006)
I bought an 06 GT black with black interior and I will give it to Ford...the car feels solid. And you are correct, the Mustang is a car for somebody who wants to modify it themselves. I have worked on Mustangs for over 10 years...these cars are awesome for the money. I paid only 25.3K...that is an awesome price for what you get! I can't wait to start adding the mods. Exhaust is already done...gears are next...the ONLY thing I am not fond of is the fact that you need a tuner every time you touch the car...even a CAI upgrade requires a flash retune....over all...
BIG SCORE FOR FORD ON THE GT STANGS!!
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MikeW 2:57PM (7/28/2006)
The old SN95 mustangs were/are dangerous.
The S197 mustang moved the fuel tank in front of the axle, I have no qualms about that. But is a full size spare available? Where do you put the wheel that comes off the car, in the well between the mufflers [I hope]
How much more would the T-56 be?
2.66, 1.78, 1.3, 1, 0.74, 0.5 for the V8 (and 6th gear being 40mph/1K)
and the V6 being
3.01, 2.07, 1.43, 1, 0.84, 0.57 (and 6th gear being 35mph/1K)
So same axle ratio ~3.9 [the name of the game is ammortization, right?]
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BrianS 4:41AM (8/03/2006)
MikeW the SN95s did not have a problem with the gas tanks in rear end collisions. Your thinking of the Fox body Mustangs which did have that problem. And if you want a six speed in your mustang go fork over the almost three grand for one and put it in yourself. The reason ford doesnt put the six speed in a GT or V6 is cause they need to keep it as a special car only piece. If you can get the six speed in a GT or V6 then why buy the GT500. I have a SVT Focus with a six speed if I could get it in a regular focus why would I need to buy the SVT. Ford marketing thought about it now how about you think about it for a minute and realize ford keeps certian parts for specialty vehicles. Thats what makes them SPECIAL. If you want me to name all the parts that have come on SVT or specialty cars and not on base models I can, just to prove my point of course.
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mark 11:01PM (5/14/2007)
the person who said sn-95s were dangerous needs to take a look at the size of the bumper underneath the bumper cover. anyways if that is the new version boss mustang then thats cool but please lose those wheels or at least put on something that has a little more depth. they looks very 2 dimensional. other than that i like it, but then i've always been partial to mustangs.
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