In 2011 happy consumers will once again be able to roll in a 5.0 with the ragtop down so their hair can blow. Yessir, the 5.0 is back to the tune of 412 ponies and 390lb-ft of torque. That’s up from about 175hp in the version Vanilla Ice putzed around in several decades ago. 

The new five-point gets to 60mph in roughly 4.5 seconds, is capable of 25mpg on the highway, revs close to 7,000rpm, “And it can run at that speed all day,” says Mike Harrison, an engineer who has spent the past two years leading the 5.0 development team. “The heart of this engine is in its breathing,” Harrison says. (2) 

(See sources1 & 2 below for the engineering details) 

Transmission options will include a six-speed manual or automatic. Available performance upgrades will feature a Brembro brake package with 14-inch vented front discs from the GT500 Mustang, special 19-inch allow wheels and summer performance tires. The whole car should cost under $45,000. 

(See the new 5.0 in New Videos)

Adding to the hype of the 5.0’s return, Ford Racing will produce fifty Boss 302 R Mustangs. The turnkey racecars are replicas of the Mustang driven by the great Parnelli Jones in the 1970 Trans Am series against the likes of Camaros and Barracudas. 

Racing features on the new Boss include race seats, five-point belts, data acquisition equipment, racing shocks and springs, Brembro brakes and R compound racing tires. All this and more make the car track ready and legal to compete in the “Grand-Am Continental Tire Sports Car Challenge”. Orders for the car can be placed at any Ford dealer with delivery expected in late 2010. For a base price of $79,000 you’d be crazy not to buy one. (3) 

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Sources:

(1) http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/posteddriving/archive/2009/12/29/preview-2011-ford-mustang-gt-5-0l-v8-is-back.aspx
(2) http://www.motortrend.com/auto_shows/detroit/2010/2011_ford_mustang_gt/index.html
(3) http://www.autoweek.com/article/20091228/DETROIT/312289998
Picture: AutoWeek

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