NASCAR WCUP: Roush Performance Vehicles Bulk Up
6 September 2000
Posted By Terry CallahanMotorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
First full-line of American high-performance vehicles to be developed
LIVONIA, Mich.--Over the course of the next two months the team of engineers at Roush Industries' headquarters in Livonia, Mich., will be hard at work addressing a challenge put forth to them. Jack Roush, chairman of Roush Industries and avid race car enthusiast, has challenged his Design, Engineering and Marketing groups to create a true high-performance, reliable and exciting Mustang, "A True Muscle Car."
Roush challenged his core engineers, the same ones that build his 700-plus horsepower Winston Cup motors, to build a Hot Rod Mustang from the ground up. Though the Mustang will be the first Stage III vehicle developed by the Roush Performance team, a full line of Ford high-performance vehicles will follow. To complete this project, Roush engineers will utilize the technical support and information offered through the recently established Technology Transfer Program made possible by SEMA's "Partner in Technology" initiative with Ford Motor Company
"I have challenged my engineers to create a car that delivers affordable performance and quality at a level never delivered outside the OEM's," said Jack Roush. "Our goal is to become one of America's premiere manufacturers of performance vehicles and that will be made possible because of Ford's SEMA initiatives, which provides companies the calibration information needed to create significant horsepower gains. Our sales and marketing staff has worked directly with Ford's dealer network, and based on customer input we have created multi-level equipment packages that we call stages."
The new Roush Stage III vehicle will touch on all of the major areas of the car - body, brakes, exhaust system, power train, suspension/wheels and interior. Jack will monitor every step of the development effort, including horsepower, chassis and interior/exterior styling. It also marks Roush Industries' first opportunity to focus and combine its engineering, prototyping, tooling, testing, manufacturing and assembly capabilities on an internal project. Once the Mustang is complete the company will begin development of high-performance versions of the Focus, F-150 and Expedition. To adequately service this project Roush Industries is dedicating over 250,000 sq. ft. for vehicle assembly between its Orange County, Calif., Dallas, Mooresville, N.C., Denver and Livonia, Mich., facilities.
This is the largest financial commitment in Roush Industries' 30-year history. This will result in the creation of the first ever, full line of American performance vehicles, starting with the Mustang GT/Roush Stage III. The vehicle will be unveiled at the annual SEMA convention on October 31.
SEMA members can go online (www.sema.org) and access all info about the Mustang GT/Roush Stage III and follow the progress of its development.
Roush Racing is the largest motorsports team in the world with nine teams in NASCAR's three major series: Mark Martin, Jeff Burton (based in Mooresville, N.C.), Kevin Lepage, Chad Little and Matt Kenseth (Concord, N.C.) in the Winston Cup Series; Martin and Burton in the Busch Series; and Greg Biffle and Kurt Busch (Livonia, Mich.) in the Craftsman Truck Series.
Roush Performance, a subsidiary of Roush Industries, is committed to the development and manufacturing of OE-quality high-performance niche vehicles. Headquartered in Livonia, Mich., Roush Performance has a dealer base of 300 dealers across the Continental United States and a dedicated staff of more than 50 employees.
Text provided by Kevin Radvany
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