Roush Performance is continuing its homage to the legendary P-51 Mustang World War II fighter plane with the ’09 P-51B Mustang, the second aviation-themed pony car Roush.
Production will be limited to just 51 numbered production vehicles in the '09 model year.
As with the previous ’08 Roush P-51A Mustang, the ’09 will also have 510 horsepower and 510 lb.ft. of torque, matching last year’s car as the most powerful Roush Mustang ever produced. To get this type of power from the 3-valve 4.6L, 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. An upgraded high-capacity fuel delivery system is also 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 ’09 P-51B are the addition of Roush 6-piston brakes, which can be seen through the new black chrome wheels, and a 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 Stage 3 suspension, provides 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 and floor mats, and is also embroidered into the leather seating. Further matching the history of the fighter planes, which often saw different metal panels used to patch the planes, the six-piece Roush aero kit will have both Vapor and Silver colors for a subtle but highly unique look.
The new 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.
Jack Roush played a major role in designing both the ’08 P-51A and the new ’09 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 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 P-51B is 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 resonator exhaust, and an Escort Passport 9500ci radar/laser defense system.