Top 3 things you need to know about the new Roush Mustang

The Roush name has a strong association with Ford as the company founder Jack Roush started his career as an engine development engineer for Ford Motor Company in 1964. Inspired by his love for motorsport, he went on to develop and sell performance parts designs to competitive teams and to the public under the Roush Performance Engineering banner since 1976.

The original 1996 Roush Mustang which was based on the fourth-generation Ford Mustang was available in three packages. Customers could opt for Stage 1 which primarily resulted in the modified styling, Stage 2 which focussed on the handling and Stage 3 which increased the overall performance. The company employs a similar business model today, however, the subject for this article is in Stage 3 specification.

1. Styling

Although the design of the Ford Mustang is far from understated, Roush Performance Engineering takes it a few steps further. Upfront Mustang enthusiasts will quickly notice the high flow upper and lower grilles as well as the functional aero corner pockets. Down low features a functional air splitter while on top of the bonnet and on the fenders are heat-extracting vents. 

At the rear, there is a blacked-out rear deck-lid panel with the Roush name embossed while lower down you will find the quad black performance exhaust tips nestled in a striking diffuser. If owners opt for the optional Podium package, a carbon fibre rear wing with active aerodynamics are fitted atop the boot lid while behind the 20-inch wheels, the customer will gain a sporty Brembo brake upgrade with new pads and rotors.

The optional Podium package will also add the Roush billet pedals to the interior. Another stand-out feature on the interior is the leather sports seats with the Roush logo embroidered. Customers can also expect custom gauge cluster overlays, illuminated door sills, a Roush toolkit as well as Roush-embossed floor mats and Roush key fobs. The dashboard also comes adorned with the serial plaque of the specific build.

 

2. Performance and dynamics

The Stage 3 Roush Mustang is not all bark and no bite. Under the bonnet is a Generation 3 Coyote V8 engine which with the help of a Roush TVS2650 supercharger, produces 560 kW and 910 Nm of torque. Customers further request the performance to be increased to 578 kW, whereby a new air filter and upgraded supercharger belt are fitted.

Furthermore, there is the additional tuning of the direct injection and optimised calibration of the engine’s ECU. Ensuring that the differential and automatic transmission does not overheat with the added power, Roush adds two auxiliary coolers to the underside of the Mustang. This is all well if you can transfer the power to the road and Roush has thought about that too.

Each of the 20-inch forged wheels comes shod with high-performance Continental ExtremeContact Sport Tyres for improved grip while the Roush-calibrated MagneRide adaptive suspension reduces lean during cornering and braking to ensure better contact with the road.

3. Warranty

Too often are we tempted to tamper under the bonnet of our vehicles but this could void warranties sold with said vehicle. So you might ask what is the situation with the warranties after buying a Roush Mustang? Both Ford Performance Parts and Roush Performance Parts which is used to build the Roush Mustang comply with the standards and requirements of Ford Motor Company to keep the warranty intact.

It should be noted that these performance parts can be bought separately, but only when the parts are fitted by an approved technician such as those found at Performance Centre in Pretoria, which is the distributors and fitters of these brands locally, will the warranty remain intact.