CARS > ROUSH unleashes Stage 3 Mustang

Mustangs were all the rage at the New York Auto Show this year and the frenzy of Ford stallions continues with Roush’s announcement of its Stage 3 Mustang. Called “the best Mustang we have ever built,” by Jack Roush himself, the Stage 3 Stang features the GT’s 4.6L V8 with an intercooled ROUSHcharger system that includes a specially calibrated ECM. The ROUSH treatment nets an additional 115 horsepower over stock bumping the total number of ponies to 415 and torque now stands at 395 ft-lbs. The suspension and brakes have also been upgraded to handle the additional power and ROUSH has modified the exterior with a seven-piece body kit. The racing stripes are one of the car’s few options.

Follow the jump for ROUSH’s official press release that includes more details on its best attempt at a perfect pony car to date.

[Source: ROUSH]

THE ROUSH STAGE 3 MUSTANG PROVES THAT PONIES CAN REALLY FLY

LIVONIA, Mich. (April 24, 2006) – The famous old saying goes “when pigs fly,” but it might just have to be re-written as the new Stage 3 version of the ROUSH Mustang proves that, at least in this manifestation, ponies can really fly.

The ROUSH Stage 3 Mustang packs 415 horsepower with 385 lb-ft of torque under the hood, thanks to the addition of the ROUSHcharger™ system. This is the quickest, best-handling, and most stylish Mustang in the history of ROUSH Performance, a company with a long and rich heritage of Ford Mustang upgrades.

Or, as Jack Roush succinctly said, “This is the best Mustang we have ever built.”

The Stage 3, 4.6L, 3-valve V8 powertrain system includes the intercooled ROUSHcharger™ system with custom ROUSH-calibrated ECM and several other performance modifications. This upgrade is a vast improvement over the factory stock engine which is rated at 300 horsepower and 320 lb-ft of torque.

But this car is more than just being quick on the throttle as the more than 1G rating on the skidpad attests. The suspension upgrades include specially-engineered and tuned front struts, rear shocks, front and rear springs, front and rear sway bars and jounce bumpers. The front brakes are also upgraded with 14-inch front two-piece rotors and four-piston calipers. Each component was specifically engineered so that ride comfort was not compromised at the expense of the tremendous gains in performance.

Exterior styling is enhanced through the addition of a seven-piece body kit constructed from OEM-type materials which sees a front fascia, front chin spoiler, hood scoop, rocker panels, rear fascia valance and rear wing installed by ROUSH factory technicians.

Other amenities include lower valence fog lamps, custom 18-inch forged rims with high-performance tires, sport leather seat covers, embroidered floor mats, billet aluminum pedals including a new dead pedal, and the Stage 3 electro-luminescent white face gauge cluster. The car also has ROUSH badging throughout and a serialized engine bay plaque indicating the car was hand-built in the Livonia, Mich., facility.

“This new ROUSH Stage 3 Mustang will literally turn heads twice,” claimed Joe Thompson, general manager of ROUSH Performance Products. “The first time is when they see how much better this car looks, and the second comes as you put your foot in it, kick in the ROUSHcharger™, and blow by just about anything on the road.”

Optional components to further customize the car include racing stripes, interior dash trim kits, locking lug nuts, trunk tool kit, short throw shifter, billet aluminum shift knob, and more.

The ROUSH Stage 3 Mustang is available in both coupe and convertible versions, and more information can be found at Ford dealers nationwide or online at www.RoushPerformance.com. The Stage 1 and Stage 2 versions of the ROUSH Mustang are also available for those not wanting the full performance package that comes on the Stage 3 version. As with all ROUSH cars, the industry-leading 3 year/36,000 mile warranty remains intact and covers all components.