2012 Ford Mustang
Fifth generation · S197 2005–2014
The S197, whose retro styling revived 1960s-fastback cues, produced 2005–2014.
The 2012 model year
Overview
The Boss 302 returned. A track-tuned 5.0 with upgraded internals, a high-flow intake, and a unique exhaust made 444 hp — 32 hp above the standard GT — and the road-course-focused Laguna Seca variant deleted the rear seat for an X-brace. The 3.7 V6 (305 hp), 5.0 GT (412 hp), and 550 hp GT500 carried over.
Specifications
- Engines
-
- 3.7 Duratec V6 305 hp
- 5.0 "Coyote" DOHC V8 (GT) 412 hp
- 5.0 V8 (Boss 302) 444 hp
- 5.4 supercharged aluminum-block V8 (Shelby GT500) 550 hp
- Transmissions
- Getrag MT82 6-speed manual, Ford 6R80 6-speed automatic, MT82 6-speed manual (Boss 302, manual-only), Tremec TR6060 6-speed manual (GT500)
- Body styles
- Coupe, Convertible
- Base price
- $22,310 (V6 coupe) ≈$30,500 today (inflation-adjusted) Original MSRP adjusted for inflation (CPI, 2024); not the car's current market/collector value. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CPI-U (U.S. city average, all items), annual average.
- Production
- 90,706 (U.S. build)
Year over year
What changed
- Boss 302 returned — 444 hp track-tuned 5.0, manual-only, with the road-course Laguna Seca variant.
- Boss 302 Laguna Seca: rear-seat delete with X-brace, Torsen differential, R-compound tires, 19-inch wheels.
- Mechanically the V6, GT, and GT500 carried over from 2011.
Living with it
Reliability & ownership notes
- The Boss 302's 5.0 shares the Coyote's bottom-end strength; it runs hotter on track — owners watch oil temps during heavy use.
- MT82 shift-quality complaints persisted into early 2012 builds.
Worth knowing
Notable
- Boss 302 revival — one of the most celebrated modern Mustangs and a future collectible.
- Boss 302 Laguna Seca built in limited numbers (about 750 units for 2012).
Famous variants this year
Sources
Other Fifth generation years
Explore the S197 generation → All Fifth generation · S197 years →