I just came across this great video and writeup of Jay Leno visiting the 2012 Ford Mustang 302 Boss. Take a look at the video and be sure to read the Mustang Boss 302 history information beneath the player:
Unlike the rest of the Mustang-loving fan base, Jay Leno is one of those people that can thoroughly enjoy being a Mustang aficionado because, well, he can afford to buy the best of the best without even making a dent in his bank account. The rest of us? Yeah, wishful thinking.
And being that he is Jay Leno, he can also take the time out of his busy schedule to meet a few people directly associated with the Mustang, one of which is Tom Barnes, the car’s vehicle engineering manager.
During a recent trip to the Monterey Motorsports Week at Laguna Seca, Leno caught up with Barnes to talk about the latter’s new — and returning — pride and joy: the 2012 Mustang GT 302 Boss Edition.
The first special edition Mustang Boss 302 came to life 40 years ago in 1969 where it was the only time the model ever met the production block. That is, until, today. Forty years after the car captured the hearts and minds of Mustang fanatics, Ford has finally released the special edition Boss 302, which has also been tagged as the “Laguna Seca” model to commemorate Parnelli Jones’ 1970 Trans-Am victory at the race while piloting a Boss 302.
Fast forward back to Leno and Barnes. After a few introductory pleasantries between the two, they then take us on a detailed tour of the new Boss 302, including a description of what lies under the hood of the special edition Mustang. The numbers translate to a 5.0-liter V8 engine producing about 440 horsepower, 7,500 rpm, and 380 lb/ft. of torque. In addition to that, the car is also mated to a close-ratio six-speed manual transmission with revised camshafts using a more aggressive grind, a more aggressive control calibration, a Boss-specific intake system, and a retuned induction sound tube.
There’s more to the video that we won’t elaborate on — so you have to watch it! — but Leno does point out a rather interesting aspect of an electronic technology with the key that in his words, “changes the whole face of performance driving.” — via Top Speed
