302 Archives | AutoDepot

Report: Aging Chevy Impala gets standard 302-hp V6 for 2012

Filed under: Sedan, Chevrolet

2011 Chevrolet Impala

2011 Chevrolet Impala – Click above for high-res image gallery

General Motors has finally come out and said exactly what kind of power the 2012 Chevrolet Impala will bring to the table when it debuts later this year. In February, we heard that the aging full-size four-door will come with a 3.6-liter V6 under the hood mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, though at the time, The General elected to skip handing out any specifics beyond displacement. According to GMInsideNews, the 2012 Impala will pack a full 302 horsepower and 252 pound-feet of torque in standard trim when it touches down.

The 2012 Buick Lacrosse is set to receive the same updated 3.6-liter V6.

Unfortunately, those impressive numbers are to be the sum total of the updates that GM has planned for the Impala. The model has been on sale in its current configuration since 2006 and a full update isn’t scheduled to land until 2014 at the earliest. Still, as GMInsideNews points out, the refreshed six pot gives the 2012 Impala almost as much power as the old Impala SS – not too shabby.

Aging Chevy Impala gets standard 302-hp V6 for 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 May 2011 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Report: Aging Chevy Impala gets standard 302-hp V6 for 2012”

Boss 302 crate engines now available from Ford Racing

Filed under: Aftermarket, Ford

Ford Mustang Boss 302 Crate Engine

Ford Mustang Boss 302 Crate Engine – Click above for high-res image gallery

Last year Ford made the Mustang’s 5.0L V8 available as a crate engine. Shortly thereafter, many of them found homes in some well-deserving cars. Now, Ford Racing is offering the Boss 302’s 5.0L V8 as a standalone purchase through its performance parts catalog, allowing anyone to put the 444 horsepower engine into their own project car.

The difference between the Mustang’s standard 5.0L V8 and the Boss 302 variant is more than just 32 horsepower. The Boss 302 features a new high-flowing intake manifold; CNC-machined cylinder heads; upgraded exhaust valves; forged pistons, connecting rods and crankshaft; a more aggressive camshaft and more. All of those upgrades cost a pretty penny, though. Ford Racing lists the Boss 302 V8 crate engine at $11,999.00, while the standard 5.0 will cost you just $6,999.00.

Follow the jump for a full list of features, or let us know what vehicle you’d drop a Boss 302 into via the comments below.

Gallery: Ford Mustang Boss 302 Crate Engine

[Source: Ford Racing]

Continue reading Boss 302 crate engines now available from Ford Racing

Boss 302 crate engines now available from Ford Racing originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 01 May 2011 10:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Boss 302 crate engines now available from Ford Racing”

Ford Mustang Boss 302 fails Motor Trend brake test. Here’s why

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Safety, Ford

2012 ford mustang boss 302

2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 – Click above for high-res image gallery

Ford’s new M3-fightin’ Mustang, the 2012 Boss 302, is a 444-horsepower, rear-wheel-drive two-door designed to fight well above its weight class. Motor Trend decided to spend quality time with the coupe, and something scary happened. Not scary as in ‘whoa, this thing is scary fast’ but more along the lines of ‘call my tailor, I ruined my pants’ terrifying.

Part of M/T’s testing gauntlet includes a look at braking distance. Road Test Editor Scott Mortara ran the Ford up to 70 miles per hour. Now it was time to see how quickly he could bring it to zero. Typically, this is just a matter of mashing the brakes and holding on. The sound of straining tires is a sound that’s welcome, but a metallic snapping noise is not. Either way, the 2012 Boss 302 was a runaway pony.

Mortara used the six-speed manual transmission to reduce the coupe’s speed before exiting the track through a gap at its end. What went wrong? A pin that connects the brake pedal to the rod that actuates the master cylinder had failed and snapped off. Normally, the brake pedal connects to the rod in a manner that distributes the pressure evenly over a large surface area and would still actuate the brakes when one presses the pedal. The setup on this particular Mustang was faulty, and allowed for far more pressure on the individual piece that failed.

Ford has examined this car, as well as the brake installation process at its assembly plants. It seems this car is unique in its defect. Motor Trend contends that it’s possible the brake assembly was removed then reinstalled after the vehicle left the factory, which could explain why the part failed in such an abnormal manner. Check out the full story over at Motor Trend.

Gallery: 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302: First Drive

2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302

[Source: Motor Trend]

Ford Mustang Boss 302 fails Motor Trend brake test. Here’s why originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Apr 2011 19:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Ford Mustang Boss 302 fails Motor Trend brake test. Here’s why”

First Drive: 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Ford, First Drive

America’s Answer To The BMW M3

2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302

2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 – Click above for high-res image gallery

The Trans-Am series of the late 1960s and early 1970s could be considered the golden era of American motorsports. Not only did it showcase the most desirable American cars of the time, but it featured some of the world’s greatest racing drivers engaging in this country’s own brand of fender-banging racing.

It’s why Ford is so proud of the Boss 302, winner of the 1970 Trans-Am season with legendary driver Parnelli Jones behind the wheel, and why the street car has become a legend. But ask Jim Farley, Ford’s head honcho of marketing, about the 2012 Mustang Boss 302, and he’ll tell you that it’s not just about building a remake of the original. “This is not a nostalgia project,” he told us. “This is not in any way trying to bring back the Boss. This project is so much more than that. If we wanted to do that we could take a 5.0-liter, put some stripes and spoilers and other upgrades on it and that would be it. It was not a means to an end. The Boss 302 was originally a means to an end. It was a production car to go racing. This is a completely different project. We were not going to do this project unless we could beat an M3 at this track.” This track being the famed Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

With Bavaria’s best sportscar in it sights, did Ford achieve its goal of building a modern day legend, or is the 2012 Boss 302 simply another one of the infinite variations of the Ford Mustang? Ford invited us out to Monterey for a full day with the car, including some track time at Laguna Seca, and we have the answer.

Continue reading First Drive: 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302…

Gallery: 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302: First Drive

2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302

Gallery: 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca: First Drive

2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca

Continue reading First Drive: 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302

First Drive: 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Feb 2011 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “First Drive: 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302”

Barrett-Jackson 2011: Grab your wallet for a Grabber Blue Boss 302 *Update

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Auctions, Ford

2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca in Grabber Blue

2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca in Grabber Blue – Click above for high-res image gallery

We eagerly await the day someone hands us the keys to a 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca. When that day arrives, we know the color of the will unfortunately not be Grabber Blue.

Regular production versions of the car will only be offered in either black or silver with red accents… and that’s a darn shame – we can say with certainty that the Boss 302 here at Barrett-Jackson looks damn good in Grabber Blue. All proceeds of the sale above the car’s MSRP will benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation to help find a cure for Type 1 diabetes.

Click here to read everything you need to know about the Boss 302 Laguna Seca, then check out our high-res image gallery below.

If you’re not playing Speed’s Online Fantasy Bid Game, now would be a good time to start – this Mustang is the current vehicle online users are bidding on, and you could end up winning a prize, like an Apple iPad.

*Update: The winning bid was a staggering $450,000.

Gallery: 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca at Barrett-Jackson 2011

Barrett-Jackson 2011: Grab your wallet for a Grabber Blue Boss 302 *Update originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 22 Jan 2011 21:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Barrett-Jackson 2011: Grab your wallet for a Grabber Blue Boss 302 *Update“

2012 Mustang Boss 302 priced at $40,995

Filed under: Car Buying, Coupe, Performance, Ford

2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302

2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 – Click above for high-res image gallery

Ford has yet to officially release pricing for the 2012 Mustang Boss 302, but a forum member over at TheMustangSource.com with some inside information has revealed that the special edition pony car will retail for $40,995 including destination and delivery. This places the Boss 302 almost squarely in the middle between the Mustang GT and the Shelby GT500.

While certain things like a navigation system won’t be available, Boss 302 customers will have a few options to choose from. Recaro seats and a Torsen differential adds $1,995, an Accessory Package with floor mats and car cover go for an extra $475, and Yellow Blaze Tri-Coat paint is an additional $495. The track-oriented Laguna Seca Package comes in at a grand total of $47,990.

At first we weren’t sure about the complete accuracy of the information, but a representative at Ford has confirmed these numbers and options. So is the 2012 Boss 302 a steal at $40,995 or is that crazy money for a hopped up pony car with a live rear axle? Let us know in the comments below.

Gallery: 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302

Gallery: 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca

[Source: TheMustangSource.com]

2012 Mustang Boss 302 priced at $40,995 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Nov 2010 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “2012 Mustang Boss 302 priced at $40,995”

2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 dealer allocation will be limited, determined by sales and lottery

Filed under: Car Buying, Coupe, Performance, Ford

2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302

2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 – Click above for high-res image gallery

Ford has yet to announce production numbers for the 2012 Mustang Boss 302, but you can bet that the car will be in high demand no matter how many are produced. The automaker has declared its new special edition Pony Car as the best-handling Mustang ever built, and fully expects its loyal customers to be eagerly awaiting the car’s arrival next year.

With that in mind, Ford is being very particular about how many Boss 302s each of its dealerships will get, and in many cases, a dealer might not receive any inventory at all. According to Boss302Forum.com, the allocation of cars will be decided in two ways. First, the large-volume dealers that make up 75 percent of sales will receive 75 percent of the Boss 302 allocation. The actual number of cars each dealership receives will depend on the last 12 months of sales ending in September of 2010, although each dealer is guaranteed at least one Boss 302. The distribution of the remaining 25 percent will be determined via a lottery, with each of the remaining dealers receiving one chip simply for being a dealer, and an additional chip for every Mustang it has sold within the last 12 months. Each of these dealers will not receive more than one Boss 302.

So what does this mean for those interested in buying a 2012 Mustang Boss 302? The likely outcome is that dealers will try and make the most of the limited supply and slap on outrageous “market adjustments” to the price tag. Just like with the Shelby GT500 in 2007, customers should expect to pay a premium for the most desirable ‘Stang on the market.

Gallery: 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302

[Source: Boss302Forum.com]

2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 dealer allocation will be limited, determined by sales and lottery originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Sep 2010 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 dealer allocation will be limited, determined by sales and lottery”

Video: Jay Leno gets exclusive look at Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, Ford

Jay Leno takes a look at the 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca – Click above to watch video after the jump

Sure, Jay Leno has some pretty varied taste when it comes to cars, but the apple of his eye is likely his ’66 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350. He’s owned the car for the better part of a quarter of a century, and it routinely comes up when he speaks about the essence of a good-driving car. It’s fitting, then, that Leno was on hand for the debut of the 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca Edition. With 440 horsepower from a naturally-aspirated 5.0-liter V8, track-oriented aerodynamics and a lively 3.73 rear axle ratio, this sucker is designed for some serious flogging.

Leno managed to corner Tom Barnes, the vehicle engineering manager for Mustang, trackside for a quick rundown of what the new Boss and the Laguna Seca edition are all about during the latest episode of Jay Leno’s Garage.

Now, the really interesting part of this whole video is when Leno lets it slip that the Boss will feature a unique tech-laden key. Barnes wasn’t willing to elaborate on the details, saying that more information would be released at a later date. Hit the jump to see the full video for yourself.

[Source: Jay Leno’s Garage]

Continue reading Video: Jay Leno gets exclusive look at Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca

Video: Jay Leno gets exclusive look at Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Aug 2010 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Video: Jay Leno gets exclusive look at Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca”

2010 Woodward: 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 makes its Motor City debut

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Ford

2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 – Click above for high-res image gallery

We may have gotten our first glimpse of the 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 at this year’s festivities in Monterey, but the Blue Oval folks quickly hot-footed the new ‘Stang back home to Detroit for a showing at this year’s Woodward Dream Cruise.

It may be raining at this year’s Dream Cruise, but the Boss still looks like its ready to devour some pavement. It’s certainly built to handle that task, what with a 440-horsepower version of Ford’s 5.0-liter V8 under the hood. In both standard spec and special edition Laguna Seca trim, we’re big fans of the Boss treatment, and it’s certainly causing quite a stir here in gloomy metro Detroit.

Click through the gallery below to see high-res shots of a few different Boss Mustangs live from Woodward Avenue, and check out the dream cruise for yourself by visiting our livestream.

Gallery: 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302: 2010 Woodward

2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302

2010 Woodward: 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 makes its Motor City debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 21 Aug 2010 12:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “2010 Woodward: 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 makes its Motor City debut”

Ford releases additional photos of Mustang Boss 302, triggers additional drooling

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Ford

2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 – Click above for high-res image gallery

Perhaps the biggest news to come out of this year’s Monterey action is the revival of the Mustang Boss 302 for 2012. It’s a hardcore version of the already well-liked Mustang GT – the hot new 5.0-liter V8 has been given more power, and performance mods like an upgraded clutch, adjustable suspension, short-throw shifter and improved brakes are all on hand, as is an even more exclusive Laguna Seca model.

We’ve now spent a good deal of time fawning over the official photos of Ford’s new Boss, as well as a set of live photos shot by our own Drew Phillips. However, Ford has just released another smattering of high-res shots showing the track-storming Boss models in all their glory. Scroll through the attached galleries to see the full raft of Boss 302 images, and be sure to wipe the drool from your keyboard when you’re done. Hat tip to Antonio!

Gallery: 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302

Gallery: 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca

Gallery: 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Live Unveiling

[Source: Ford]

Ford releases additional photos of Mustang Boss 302, triggers additional drooling originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 17 Aug 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Continue reading “Ford releases additional photos of Mustang Boss 302, triggers additional drooling”