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The Roush Stage 3 Mustang reminds me of the old adage, “Don’t force it, use a bigger hammer.”

This supercharged, hopped-up Mustang is the visual equivalent of a weightlifter in a skintight muscle shirt. The special body panels, side exhausts, huge rear spoiler, 18-inch wheels and a ground-hugging profile may be a bit over the top, but there is no mistaking its claim: Go fast, quickly.

If you want to play, you’ve got to pay. The base price for a Stage 3 coupe is $39,500, and the convertible starts at $43,755. The bright yellow convertible I drove, complete with the Premium Package, stickered for a whopping $53,230. Only a few diehard performance enthusiasts would plunk down this kind of money for a modified Mustang, so Roush offers less-pricey Stage 1 and Stage 2 alternatives that range from upgraded bodywork to suspension kits, bigger wheels and sports seats.

Roush Performance Products is a company owned by Jack Roush, who is best known for his success in racing circles, most recently NASCAR. Roush engineers a number of aftermarket parts for numerous Ford products, and especially the Mustang.

The Stage 3 is available as a coupe or convertible, and it meets all state and federal emission and safety standards. Roush warrants the vehicle for three years or 36,000 miles. It is sold only through a network of 200 Ford dealers who sell Roush Performance Products vehicles. Those in Kansas City include Thoroughbred Ford, Bob Allen Ford, Extreme Ford and Blue Springs Ford.

Turning a Mustang GT into a sports car capable of challenging some of the fastest cars on the street is no easy feat, but Roush bolts a supercharger onto Ford’s 4.6-liter, SOHC V-8 and cranks the horsepower up to 360. A re-engineered intake manifold, special fuel injectors and a larger throttle body work in concert with an air-to-water intercooler, high-flow fuel system and a lighter flywheel to give this engine highly developed muscles.

Flexing these muscles is as easy as punching the throttle and holding on to the steering wheel. Roush reports the Stage 3 with a manual transmission rips to 60 miles per hour in 4.3 seconds and pounds through the quarter-mile in 12.9 seconds at 111 mph. The automatic hits 60 in 5.3 seconds, but the secret to getting the most from the automatic was turning off the traction control switch, which I discovered in the yellow convertible I drove. Full throttle in the Stage 3 Mustang sounds and feels much like Ford’s SVT Lightning F-150 pickup, which is also supercharged.

The Stage 3’s lateral acceleration (cornering force) of .98g puts it surprisingly close to a Corvette Z06 and better than some of the fastest European sports cars. Carving corners is as much a part of the performance tuning as brutal acceleration, and to that end Roush fits a stiffer, lower suspension and new under-body strengthening pieces to keep the body structure from flexing under the added loads. On smooth pavement it sticks to the pavement like a paint stripe, but it feels a bit nervous when pushed near its limits. Bumpy pavement is another story. The ride deteriorates quickly and the bouncing gets tiring.

Stopping is as important as acceleration for a car this fast, and to that end, Roush has upgraded the brakes with 13-inch Brembo front discs. The brake upgrade that is part of the Premium package includes 14-inch front discs with Alcon calipers and 13-inch rear discs.

The interior is upgraded with seats that are a significant improvement over the standard Mustang units, and the gauges have light-colored faces with the Roush name. Items such as embroidered floor mats and billet aluminum pedals are options.

The Roush Stage 3 joins other aftermarket suppliers, such as Saleen, in dramatically expanding the Mustang’s performance envelope, although at considerable cost.

Price

The price of a base Stage 3 Mustang coupe is $39,500. A convertible, which is $4,255 more, starts at $43,755. The t vehicle was equipped with the Premium Package and its sticker price was $53,230.

Warranty Three years or 36,000 miles.

Point: If you want a Mustang that runs like a Corvette, consider the supercharged Roush Stage 3. It has scads of power, takes corners like a car bred for the race track and has deeply contoured bucket seats. Counterpoint: The added body panels are a bit too bold for my taste, and the special suspension can be jarring on bad pavement. It sits so low that navigating driveways can be tricky. SPECIFICATIONS:
Engine: 4.6-liter, 360-hp V-8
Transmission: automatic Rear-wheel drive
Wheelbase: 101.3 inches
Curb weight: 3,625 lbs.
Base price: $43,755
As driven: $53,230
Mpg rating: 18 city, 22 hwy.
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