Detroit auto show: Ford Mustang Boss 302R breaks cover

Some 40 years after Parnelli Jones drove a Bud Moore-built Boss 302 Mustang to the Trans-Am championship, Ford Racing has unleashed a new Boss 302R.

The new Boss is an off-road-only Mustang that comes from the factory race-ready. Each of the limited-to-50 cars will come fitted with a 5.0-liter four-valve V8 and six-speed manual transmission. The cars will be fitted with a roll-cage, race seat, safety harness, data acquisition, race dampers/springs and a Brembo brake package. The base model sells for $79,000.

If you're looking for something a bit more, Ford Racing is offering a Grand-Am Homologation Package that will allow the car to race in the Grand-Am Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge (formerly the Koni Challenge) that opens its season Jan. 29 at Daytona.

This version will be fitted with a sealed high-output racing engine and upgraded cooling system, close-ratio six-speed transmission with integral shifter, a seam-welded body, a race suspension with Koni dampers, a race exhaust and a balanced one-piece driveshaft. This version stickers at $129,000.

Ford
The Ford Mustang Boss 302R

The Boss 302R succeeds the Mustang FR500C that debuted in 2005, and continues Ford's tradition of making factory-built, production-based race cars. Ford's FR500CJ (Cobra Jet), unveiled in 2008, found success in drag racing in 2009.

The new Boss 302R can be ordered at any Ford dealer with delivery expected in the third quarter of 2010. And remember, only 50 examples will be built.

By Roger Hart