The 775-horsepower Jack Roush Edition Mustang is a brutal pony with a heart of gold

Roush unveiled its most powerful Mustang ever at the 2019 SEMA Show, with a Phase 3 Supercharger on the Jack Roush Edition Mustang. Roush says the blower system helps its 5.0-liter V-8 make a very streetable and smooth 775 horsepower. The Jack Roush Edition is more than just power; it’s engineered to deliver responsive track manners that make the car respond intuitively on the track without beating up on its passengers on the drive there. Roush did that by tuning its own suspension to work in concert with the Mustang GT’s MagneRide system that lets drivers adjust for everything from comfortable cruising to firm track response.

The extra boost in power comes with corresponding improvements to the cooling system, including a larger radiator, along with differential, transmission, and engine oil cooler. Roush includes front and rear Brembo brakes with six-piston calipers to make sure the brakes are up to the task on the track as well.

Under the hood are billet dress-up parts and an airbox signed by Jack Roush himself. Inside you’ll find performance leather and suede seats as well as custom shifter whether you choose a six-speed manual or 10-speed automatic.

There are also plenty of body modifications that set this Roush apart from other Mustangs, like its fender vents, heat extractors, chin spoiler, rear valence air foils, and an active aerodynamic carbon-fiber wing that adjust with speed to help plant the rear of the car.

We got to test all of these additions when Roush invited us to drive the Jack Roush Edition Mustang—the very one they debuted at SEMA—just weeks before the show. It was equipped with the optional Competition Package that includes Roush/Weld wheels and track-only Continental ExtremeContact DR tires. We had enough time to get a few laps in at Street of Willow, the smaller-tighter, bumpier little brother to “Big Willow” at Willow Springs International Raceway.

Perhaps the best compliment that we can give the Roush team is that the Jack Roush Edition doesn’t feel like anything other than a factory Mustang. The tuning of the suspension was seamless and the sticky rubber gave us more grip on the front end than we could have imagined.

With auto rev-matching, nailing the perfect heel-toe downshift is one less thing you have to worry about on the track, and with monstrous torque on demand at all engine speeds, the Jack Roush Edition doesn’t even need to shift often. We had to remain disciplined to slowly squeeze on the throttle on corner exit, even in third gear, as the V-8 threatened to overpower the tremendous grip from the tires.

Overconfident thanks to the grip and drunk on effortless supercharged V-8 grunt, we experienced traction control intervention on several corners. In more competent (and patient) hands, the Jack Roush Edition could be a very fast car, but it’s fun and workable even for track rookies.

Just 60 copies of the Jack Roush Edition Mustang will be built for the U.S., with up to 10 internationally. The price is $50,995 on top of a MagneRide-equipped Mustang GT. The Competition Package is an additional $12,000.