Stage 3 Mustang rejoins Roush lineup

After taking a one-year break, the Stage 3 Mustang is back in the Roush Performance Products lineup for the 2012 model year.

For fans of Roush Mustangs, the Stage 3 package sits at the head of the class. Roush bolts a supercharger onto Ford's 5.0-liter V8 and dials up 12 psi of boost. That takes engine output from the factory's 412 hp to 540 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque.

The suspension gets worked over, and Roush adds beefy high-performance tires and racy exterior trim. For 2012, Roush has expanded the palate of paint and stripe colors.

This is a serious driver's car. A six-speed manual is the only transmission available. And, if you happen to live in California or other states that adopt its emission standards, you can't buy a Roush Stage 3 Mustang there.

Roush says a typically equipped Stage 3 Mustang costs about $60,000--that's the cost of the Mustang plus about $17,000 for the Stage 3 package. Of course, options will make the sticker price grow.

The 2012 Roush Stage 2 Mustang is set to start showing up at authorized Ford dealers by the end of April.

By Dale Jewett