ROUSH® Performance continues their homage to the legendary World War II fighter plane with the 2009 P-51B™ Mustang, the second aviation-themed pony car from the Michigan-based manufacturer. This car, based on the 2009 Ford Mustang chassis, will be limited to just 51 numbered production vehicles in the 2009 model year^.

As with the previous 2008 ROUSH P-51A™ Mustang, introduced at the 2007 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, the 2009 P-51B will also have 510 horsepower and 510 lb.-ft. of torque matching it as the most powerful ROUSH Mustang ever produced. In order to get this type of power from the Ford 4.6L, 3-valve engine, ROUSH technicians replace many of the internal components with stronger parts including forged aluminum pistons (with an increased dish to lower the compression ratio from 9.8 to 8.6), forged steel H-Beam connecting rods and a forged steel crankshaft and there is an upgraded high-capacity fuel delivery system installed. ROUSH also upgrades the clutch and includes a custom-calibration for the ECM to manage the performance of the next-generation TVS2300 ROUSHcharger®.

Among the changes for the 2009 P-51B are a secondary sheave FEAD, the addition of the ROUSH 6-piston brakes which can be seen through the new black chrome wheels, and a ROUSH vent pod gauge with a boost gauge. The car will be fitted with the new Cooper RS3 ultra-high performance tires, which, combined with the ROUSH Stage 3â„¢ suspension will give a road-hugging ride and nearly unmatched cornering ability. The Ford factory Vapor paint code will be accented with Olive Drab green badging to match the World War II motif, and a rear decklid black-out panel is included. The P-51B logo adorns the shifter ball, floor mats and is embroidered into the leather seating. Further matching the history of the fighter plane, which often saw different metal panels used to patch the planes back into flying and fighting condition, the six-piece ROUSH aerobody kit will have both Vapor and Silver colors utilized for a subtle, but highly unique, look on the road.

The 2009 P-51B continues the yellow and red checkerboard accents which pay tribute to the brave pilots of the 357th Fighters Group, Eighth Air Force ETO (European Theater Operations) who were unofficially known as “The Yoxford Boys” after a village near their base. Its victory totals in air-to-air combat are the most of any P-51 group in the Eighth Air Force and third among all groups fighting in Europe. The 357th flew
313 combat missions between February 11, 1944 and April 25, 1945 and is officially credited by the US Air Force with having destroyed 595.5 German airplanes in the air and 106.5 on the ground.

Jack Roush has played a major role in designing both the 2008 ROUSH P-51A and the new 2009 P-51B Mustang, which ties into his affection for both the history of the fighter plane as well as his hobby of restoring and flying them.

“The 2009 ROUSH P-51B is really the closest thing we can do to truly match the performance and styling of the fighter plane,” said Jack Roush. “Just like the airplane, the P-51B Mustang has the power to outrun most anything, can turn like virtually nothing else, and will make those other ‘pilots’ have second thoughts before engaging in a skirmish.”

The 2009 ROUSH P-51B is now starting to arrive at ROUSH-authorized Ford dealers and has a suggested retail pricing starting at $65,800 including destination fees and gas guzzler taxes. The few options available include a ROUSH trunk tool kit, enhanced ROUSH resonator exhaust and an Escort Passport 9500ci radar/laser defense system. As with all ROUSH vehicles, the 2009 P-51B has an industry-leading 3 year/36,000 mile warranty.

Based in Livonia, Mich., “The Art of Performance Engineering” takes place at ROUSH Performance. To get a look behind the scenes at what goes on at ROUSH and how the vehicles and parts are designed, manufactured, tested and produced logon to www.ROUSHtv.com. In addition to the array of Ford Mustang and F-150 styling, handling and performance upgrades, a complete line of performance parts and crate engines are offered. For more information see your local ROUSH dealer, visit www.ROUSHperformance.com or telephone toll-free (800) 59-ROUSH.

^In addition to the 51 serialized units, ROUSH may build some non-serialized additional press and/or test vehicles above this number.

[Source: ROUSH]

LIVONIA, Mich. (September 9, 2008) – Historically, the National Hot Rod Association has only approved powertrains for competition as they come from the factories in Detroit, but all that changed with the recent approval of the 2008 ROUSH® supercharged 4.6L V-8 in the Stage 3â„¢ and P-51Aâ„¢ Mustangs. It is believed that this is the first time the NHRA has approved an aftermarket powertrain for competition.

The ROUSH Mustangs will be allowed in the NHRA Stock and SuperStock categories as determined by the horsepower and shipping weight of the two vehicles. Coupe or convertible chassis will be allowed with a horsepower of 430 for the Stage 3 and 510 for the P-51A. The shipping weight of the ROUSH coupes is 3316 pounds, while a convertible weighs in at 3443 pounds.

Depending on the combination of coupe or convertible and the ROUSH Stage 3 or P-51A powertrain, the cars would be classified between AA Stock and B Stock or SuperStock A and F. For further details regarding the authorized modifications and safety requirements consult the NHRA rule book or visit www.NHRA.com.

It is anticipated that the first team to campaign a ROUSH Mustang in NHRA competition will be Haas, Carrothers & Wagner Racing. The team, which has won three consecutive NHRA Division 3 championships (2004-2006), is currently building a ROUSH Mustang with a Stage 3 powertrain.

“As many people know, I first began my motorsports career in drag racing and had a lot of success in the NHRA over the years,” said Jack Roush. “I never lost my interest in the sport and have continued to follow it with great enthusiasm since moving on to road racing and now stock cars. I think it is going to be very exciting to see a ROUSH Mustang breaking the beams on the starting line and I really look forward to the day one of our cars captures that first ‘Wally’ (the nickname of the trophy awarded in NHRA competition in tribute to Wally Parks, the founder of the NHRA).”

[Source: ROUSH]

PRESS RELEASE:

When Jack Roush pulled off the cover and unveiled the new 510-horsepower ROUSH P-51A Mustang at the SEMA Show in October, it took just moments before the telephones started ringing at the offices with dealers and consumers clamoring to get hold of the muscle car.

Although the ROUSH order bank isn’t scheduled to open to authorized Ford dealers with final pricing until January, 2008, the post-announcement interest was enough for ROUSH management to re-assess the total number of ROUSH P-51A Mustangs that will be released to the public. Consequently, ROUSH Performance has decided to increase the production run to 151 units when these start build, anticipated to be the first quarter of 2008. It was previously announced that the production volume would be limited to 100 units.

“Certainly we anticipated that the ROUSH P-51A Mustang would be a popular car and sell quickly to our dealer base,” said Joe Thompson, general manager of ROUSH Performance. “But I must say that we were a little surprised at just how fast the demand grew for this car so we worked with our suppliers to make ensure that an increased volume would be possible and can now announce that there will be 151 vehicles produced next year.”

The ROUSH P-51A is easily the highest horsepower Mustang that the company has ever produced, and represents the first time that internal engine components have been upgraded by ROUSH technicians in their Livonia, Mich., facility. The stock Ford 4.6L, 3V engine will see a rebuild of several of the functional internal components, including a forged steel eight-bolt crankshaft, forged aluminum pistons with increased dish to lower the compression from 9:8 to 8:6, and forged steel H-Beam connecting rods. These upgraded parts were necessary for the stock Ford engine (which comes with 300 horsepower from the factory) to be able to withstand the additional power generated from the newest iteration of the legendary ROUSHcharger* supercharger system.

Additional alterations include a custom aluminum upper and lower intake manifold for the high capacity air-to-water intercooler and ROUSHcharger*. ROUSH installs a custom fuel rail and high-flow fuel injectors, a high-flow capacity fuel system, as well as a dual electronic throttle body.

The new ROUSH P-51A engine has a preliminary rating of at least 510 horsepower and 510 lb.-ft. torque. It is anticipated that final figures may even be slightly higher than this when final testing and calibration is approved by the ROUSH engineering staff. As with all ROUSH vehicles, the P-51A will carry an industry-leading 3 year/36,000 mile warranty.

Based in Livonia, Mich., “The Art of Performance Engineering” takes place at ROUSH Performance. To get a look behind the scenes at what goes on at ROUSH and how the vehicles and parts are designed, manufactured, tested and produced logon to www.ROUSHtv.com. In addition to the array of Ford Mustang and F-150 styling, handling and performance upgrades, a complete line of performance parts and crate engines are offered. For more information see your local ROUSH dealer, visit www.ROUSHperformance.com or telephone toll-free (800) 59-ROUSH.

[Source/Images: Roush/autoblog]

ROUSH Performance continues to pay tribute to Ford’s legendary history with the 428R Mustang, a limited edition pony car which follows in the tremendous success of their 427R model introduced last year and which remains in the ROUSH product lineup for the 2008 model year.

The ROUSH 428R Mustang will arrive at participating Ford dealerships in October 2007.

“We are continuing to honor and celebrate the heritage of the proudest models of Ford racing history – the 427, 428 and 429 (engines),” stated Jack Roush. “These are iconic numbers in the Ford world and it is an honor to put them onto ROUSH Mustangs and insert them back into the muscle car world.”

“The 427R is easily the most popular Mustang model that ROUSH has ever introduced to the market,” said Joe Thompson, ROUSH Performance’s vice president and general manager. “That vehicle will remain the cornerstone of our lineup, but to celebrate Ford’s history of automotive breakthroughs we will build a 428R in 2008 and a 429R in 2009. These cars are intended to be a collector’s edition with limited production that pays respect to Ford Muscle Car history.”

The 2008 ROUSH 428R Mustang is limited to 200 vehicles, each a potent street slayer with 435 horsepower and 400 lb.-ft. of torque thanks to the famous ROUSHcharger system, which, in the 428R is a chrome powdercoat which glistens when the hood is raised. Other under-the-hood goodies include ROUSH billet radiator and intercooler radiator caps, oil cap, and strut tower caps which add to the sparkling engine compartment.

The looks of the car continue on the exterior also, with the ROUSH front fascia, chin spoiler, hood scoop and rear wing adding to the muscular look. The locking hood pins show the world that there is something lurking under the hood, and the black bar high-flow grille adds to the aesthetics.

As for handling, the ROUSH suspension package makes it simple to manage the left and right turns. Changed by the ROUSH technicians are the front and rear shocks, front and rear springs, front and rear sway bars, jounce bumpers and an anti-wheel hop kit is installed at the Livonia, Mich., factory. ROUSH 18-inch cast wheels and high-performance tires grip the road, and the offroad exhaust system gives the ROUSH 428R the necessary growl expected from a V-8 Mustang.

The interior of the 428R gets the ROUSH treatment as well as ROUSH sport leather seating is installed, the white face electro luminescent gauge cluster, and the ROUSH short throw shifter with retro ball makes quick gear changes. Rounding out some of the interior upgrades are ROUSH sill plates and floor mats.

As with all ROUSH vehicles, the 428R comes with unique fender and decklid badges as well as a pair of engine bay plaques to authenticate this as an official ROUSH vehicle. Each vehicle comes with a Certificate of Authenticity signed by Jack Roush. The ROUSH 428R is available with either a five-speed manual or automatic transmission.

Based in Livonia, Mich., “The Art of Performance Engineering” takes place at ROUSH Performance. To get a look behind the scenes at what goes on at ROUSH and how the vehicles are designed, manufactured and produced logon to www.ROUSHtv.com. In addition to the Stage 1, Stage 2 and Stage 3 Ford Mustang and F-150 styling, handling and performance upgrades, a complete line of performance parts and crate engines are offered. For more information see your local ROUSH dealer, visit www.ROUSHperformance.com or telephone toll-free (800) 59-ROUSH.