Auto Channel

Roush has received more interest and enthusiasm than expected for the Roush P-51A* Mustang since its unveiling on 30 October. So the company is increasing planned production of the car from 100 units to 151 units. Dealers and consumers have been slobbering at the thought of owning a P-51A* since its debut at SEMA.

The excessive interest in the car was unexpected, even for company executives. Roush Performance GM Joe Thompson said, "Certainly we anticipated that the Roush P-51A Mustang would be a popular car and sell quickly to our dealer base."

"But I must say that we were a little surprised at just how fast the demand grew for this car," he said.

Inspired by the P-51 Mustang fighter plane of World War II lore, the P-51A* boasts 510 horsepower and 510 ft-lb of torque. No Roush-produced Mustang can match those figures. The 4.6 liter engine has been completely rebuilt with a steel crankshaft, aluminum pistons, and (of course) the famous Roushcharger supercharger.

Roush made heavy changes to the exterior, including a complete aerodynamic package, 18-inch five spoke wheels, and a top-shelf suspension kit. Interior modifications consist of leather seats, white gauges, and special badging around the car.

During SEMA, Jack Roush was quoted as saying, "This is the type of product that ROUSH has wanted to produce for at least 10 years but the right platform, the right technology, and the right timing never intersected until now."

Final pricing will be announced in January 2008, and this added interest will surely cause the price to bump up higher. Production is still scheduled to begin during the first few months of 2008.

Press Release

HIGH DEMAND PUSHES ROUSH® TO INCREASE PRODUCTION ON P-51A* MUSTANG

LIVONIA, Mich. (December 18, 2007) - 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.

*"ROUSH" is the registered trademark of ROUSH Performance Products, Inc., or its related entities." "ROUSHcharger" and "P-51A" are trademarks of ROUSH Performance Products, Inc., or its related entities.