• Jul 25, 2006
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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    • 1 Second Ago
      • 8 Years Ago
      4.0L V6 = iron block, old truck design.
      4.6L V8 = aluminum block, design optimized for Mustang.
      • 8 Years Ago
      "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.
      • 8 Years Ago
      MikeW, why would Ford add more oil capacity, there going to break down anyway, remember they are Ford's.
      • 8 Years Ago
      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.
      • 8 Years Ago
      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?]
      • 8 Years Ago
      the block in the gt500 is iron
      • 7 Years Ago
      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.
      • 8 Years Ago
      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
      • 8 Years Ago
      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.
      • 8 Years Ago
      They will probably use the same aluminum block 5.4 as the GT and the GT500 only detuned and without the supercharger.