Beyond the Mustang: Roush, Saleen and Hennessey tune Ford's new pony

With the hot 2015 Ford Mustang finally set to gallop into the market, everyone is trying to get their paws on one, especially those who make a business out of making fast, good-looking sports cars even faster and better looking. Of all the Mustang tuners out there, three names can be considered the preeminent players: Saleen, Roush, and Hennessey. Perhaps not coincidentally, all three companies have made news this week, (just a month before meeting on the floor of the zany SEMA show in Las Vegas) each showing off their newest Mustang-based creations.

Each of these super-‘Stangs attempt to improve upon perfection in their own specific styling elements, and two of them elect to add heaps of horsepower as well. And who are we to argue with that, especially since all three outfits warrant their modifications for three years or 36,000 miles?

So in case you missed any of their announcements, we have compiled all relevant information and images together in one story. But a warning: once you’ve learned about them all, you may not be able to leave your next Mustang stock.

2015 ROUSH RS Mustang

The tamest of this trio of tuner Mustangs are the 2015 Roush RS Mustangs. The RS (for “Roush Sport”) modifications are mostly cosmetic and can be applied to the base, 300-hp V-6 Mustang (RS), the new 310-hp turbocharged four-cylinder model (RS Stage 1), and the hairy-chested, 435-hp GT (RS Stage 2). Engine output figures do not change by a single pony—which is not to say that Roush doesn’t have a more powerful Mustang in the works (wink, wink). Watch this space for news of such a thing if and when that car shows up.

In the meantime, feast your eyes on these ones: all three RS models get new front and rear fascias, high-flow grilles, driving lamps, side sill extensions, a rear spoiler, embroidered floor mats and an array of “Roush” or “RS” branding on the fenders, grille, tailgate (now blacked out), windshield, dashboard and engine bay, the latter two in the form of plaques. The RS Stage 1 Mustangs also receive a performance exhaust system with quad pipes (one for each cylinder!) and Stage 2 cars get all of the above plus a set of gorgeous five-spoke 20-inch “Quicksilver” wheels and Cooper RS3 performance tires. Those wheels can also be ordered on the RS and RS Stage 1 cars, and all models can add a body-color hood scoop, blackout window scoops, billet aluminum pedals, a Roush ball shifter, Roush gauges and Roush plates in the door sills. Finally, Stage 1 and Stage 2 models can also be upgraded with a reverse sensing system integrated into the bumper, an adjustable coil-over suspension, as well as an “Activ8” active exhaust system.

Otherwise, there’s not much to the Roush Mustangs. This helps keep the pricing of the modifications in the attainable range, with RS upgrades starting at $4,495, the RS2 modifications adding $5,895 to the tally, and RS2 models setting you back $8,495, on top of the price of the Mustang coupe or convertible, of course. They are available through an extensive network of Ford dealers nationwide, or, for more information, check out Roush’s website by clicking here.

2015 Saleen S302 Mustang

Perhaps no name is more synonmous with superlative Mustangs than Saleen. And the iconic muscle car builder is on the cusp of introducing its latest and greatest Mustang, the S302. So new is it that it still hasn’t been shown in photos (we only have two renderings at this point), but you can bet that will change during the run-up to SEMA.