Autoblog

click above image to view more high-res pics of the Roush P-51A Mustang

When Roush pulled the wraps off its new P-51A Mustang, we ventured a guess that it wouldn't take too long to sell out the 100 being produced for 2008. After all, it's the most powerful Mustang ever produced by Roush at 510 horsepower, and the car's personal connection with Jack Roush's love of both planes and automobiles is sure to make it an instant collector car. Well, it turns out we were right. In fact, Roush has received so much interest in the car that it has bumped the production to 151. It doesn't sound like much until you consider that's more than a fifty percent increase from the originally planned run of 100 cars.

While pricing hasn't even been announced yet, expect an MSRP of just over $65,000. That gets you Roush's latest supercharger, forged internal engine components, a custom lower and upper intake manifold, a custom fuel rail and high flow injectors, upgraded duel throttle body, and a high-capacity intercooler good for at least 510 horsepower. The P-51A also gets a Roush body kit, 14-inch brakes, upgraded interior, 18-inch wheels and tires, and a paint scheme inspired by the 357th Fighters Group that was legendary in WWII.

Follow the jump for the full details in the press release or check our gallery of the car from SEMA.

[Source: Roush]

Gallery: ROUSH P-51A Mustang

PRESS RELEASE:

When Jack Roush pulled off the cover and unveiled the new 510-horsepower ROUSH P-51A Mustang at the SEMA Show in October, it took just moments before the telephones started ringing at the offices with dealers and consumers clamoring to get hold of the muscle car.

Although the ROUSH order bank isn't scheduled to open to authorized Ford dealers with final pricing until January, 2008, the post-announcement interest was enough for ROUSH management to re-assess the total number of ROUSH P-51A Mustangs that will be released to the public. Consequently, ROUSH Performance has decided to increase the production run to 151 units when these start build, anticipated to be the first quarter of 2008. It was previously announced that the production volume would be limited to 100 units.

"Certainly we anticipated that the ROUSH P-51A Mustang would be a popular car and sell quickly to our dealer base," said Joe Thompson, general manager of ROUSH Performance. "But I must say that we were a little surprised at just how fast the demand grew for this car so we worked with our suppliers to make ensure that an increased volume would be possible and can now announce that there will be 151 vehicles produced next year."

The ROUSH P-51A is easily the highest horsepower Mustang that the company has ever produced, and represents the first time that internal engine components have been upgraded by ROUSH technicians in their Livonia, Mich., facility. The stock Ford 4.6L, 3V engine will see a rebuild of several of the functional internal components, including a forged steel eight-bolt crankshaft, forged aluminum pistons with increased dish to lower the compression from 9:8 to 8:6, and forged steel H-Beam connecting rods. These upgraded parts were necessary for the stock Ford engine (which comes with 300 horsepower from the factory) to be able to withstand the additional power generated from the newest iteration of the legendary ROUSHcharger* supercharger system.

Additional alterations include a custom aluminum upper and lower intake manifold for the high capacity air-to-water intercooler and ROUSHcharger*. ROUSH installs a custom fuel rail and high-flow fuel injectors, a high-flow capacity fuel system, as well as a dual electronic throttle body.

The new ROUSH P-51A engine has a preliminary rating of at least 510 horsepower and 510 lb.-ft. torque. It is anticipated that final figures may even be slightly higher than this when final testing and calibration is approved by the ROUSH engineering staff. As with all ROUSH vehicles, the P-51A will carry an industry-leading 3 year/36,000 mile warranty.

Based in Livonia, Mich., "The Art of Performance Engineering" takes place at ROUSH Performance. To get a look behind the scenes at what goes on at ROUSH and how the vehicles and parts are designed, manufactured, tested and produced logon to www.ROUSHtv.com. In addition to the array of Ford Mustang and F-150 styling, handling and performance upgrades, a complete line of performance parts and crate engines are offered. For more information see your local ROUSH dealer, visit www.ROUSHperformance.com or telephone toll-free (800) 59-ROUSH.