Story by Sam Haymart , Photo Roush Performance
Roush has been dazzling us with supercharged Mustangs in large since 2001. When the first Roush Stage 3 hit showrooms, there was no “Terminator” Cobra. At the time the Stage 3’s 360 horsepower was HUGE. What was even more amazing in hindsight was that most of those cars were actually producing something more like 400 hp on average.
Performance was equal to or better than the 2003 Cobra when it finally arrived even though the horsepower was purportedly less. This has been generally attributed to the lighter weight of the Roush version of the Mustang along with a more sophisticated software which took better advantage of the torque curve.
When the new 2006 Roush Stage 3 Mustang arrived last year with 415 hp, the car was warmly and enthusiastically received by the public. Sales have been brisk despite $3.00 per gallon gas across the country. In all quarters, the Stage 3 has been a resounding success. So what do you do to keep the fires burning in a world that is flush with custom Mustang builders and a 500 hp Shelby GT-500 sharing showroom space?
You keep improving. Roush has announced a decidedly spicier 427R. At 427 horsepower, this is the most horsepower ever offered on any version of the Roush Mustang. The car was shown to core Roush enthusiasts and owners at the Roush Round-Up in Michigan during the Woodward Dream Cruise to applause and excitement.
The Roush 427R starts with many of the components of the Stage 3 Mustang, but is geared more to the buyer who wants all performance. Similar to the 360R and 380R models of the past, the new 427R leaves some of the extras in the parts bin, but raises the bar on all out horsepower.
Roush Performance started with the same ROUSHCharger that is found on the Stage 3 Mustang which normally produces 415 horsepower with the 4.6 liter 3V Ford V8. The additional power upgrade comes via a ROUSH-engineered ECM calibration which has been specially-tuned to work in harmony with the different exhaust system used on the vehicle.
The 427R sports the familiar four-piece aerobody kit which includes a stylized front fascia, front chin spoiler, hood scoop and rear wing and the most handsome Roush 18-inch cast chrome wheels they have offered to date. A special 427R striping kit sets this car apart visually from other Roush Mustangs. Also aboard are Roush “R” fender badges, special decklid emblem, a serialized engine bay plate, and engine build plaque personally engraved by the technician who upgraded the car in the Livonia, Mich., facility.
The sports-tuned suspension includes all new front struts, rear shocks, front and rear springs and sway bars and the jounce bumpers.
The 427R will be available in both coupe and convertible versions. While many of the standard features of the Stage 3 found on the interior are not included on the 427R, you can still add them as options. These include white face gauges, interior carbon fiber design dash trim kit, short throw shifter, door sill plates, and custom Roush sport leather seating. Pricing for the 427 should come in slightly less than a Stage 3 depending on how it is equipped.
"The new ROUSH 427R is a natural extension of our product line," said Joe Thompson, general manager of ROUSH Performance Products. "It has more horsepower than any car we have produced in our company's history and I expect that this will become one of the most popular vehicles that ROUSH Performance has ever offered."
More information on the Roush 427R Mustang and F-150 can be found at www.roushperf.com or by calling 800-59-ROUSH.
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