Might Ford be preparing a modern Mustang Boss for the seventh-generation Mustang lineup?
A trademark filing for the “Boss” designation made by Ford on Jan. 15 with the United States Patent and Trademark Office certainly hints at the possibility.
The Mustang Boss has long been a name associated with track-focused, high-performance Mustangs. The original Boss 302 and Boss 429 models of 1969-70 were built for related racing programs in Trans-Am and NASCAR.
Ford revived the Boss 302 with the fifth-generation Mustang, for the 2012 and 2013 model years, equipping it with a 444-hp 5.0-liter V-8, upgraded suspension, a sports exhaust, and unique styling touches. There was also a Laguna Seca package that added extra goodies.
2013 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca
That last Boss 302 filled a space in the Mustang lineup similar to where today’s Mustang Dark Horse sits. If Ford does revive the Boss, it may need to move further upmarket, potentially taking the place of the previous-generation Shelby GT350, which offered with a naturally aspirated flat-plane-crank V-8 and track-ready dynamics. A repeat of the GT350 at Ford isn’t expected, at least with this generation of the Mustang, as Shelby American has just introduced its own Shelby GT350 based on the latest Mustang.
It’s worth noting that automakers frequently file for trademark protection on names they may never use, often as a preemptive move to block competitors. However, rumors of a Mustang Boss revival surfaced late last decade, suggesting the idea has at least been considered. Whether this trademark filing leads to an actual production model remains to be seen.
