Back in 2001, Ford built the first Mustang Bullitt. As you all know (and if you don't, you should be shot), Steve McQueen starred in the 1968 film, Bullitt, which featured one of the best car chases ever - a lengthy fight between a Mustang and a Dodge Charger.
For 2008, Ford brings back the Mustang Bullitt for round number two and the 40th anniversary of the movie. The overall theme is the same; tweak the exhaust for more sound, fiddle with the suspension, add some unique gauges, and package it in a subtle, sleeper-style package.
The Details:
- $31,075, on sale in January
- 7700 will be built in total for the U.S. and Canada
- Choice between the period-proper dark highland green or black exterior paint. The later is for the non-purist, according to Ford.
- There is no rear wing and no badges on the outside of the car except the rear faux gas cap Bullitt logo on the trunk-lid.
- Eighteen-inch gray wheels are unique to the Bullitt
- Inside, aluminum accents are added along with unique gauge font and an aluminum shift knob. GT500-style seats and steering wheel are also added.
- The Mustang GT's 4.6-liter V-8 is bumped from 300 to 315 hp at 6000 rpm and receives another 5 lb-ft of torque for a total 325 lb-ft at 4250 rpm. The redline is now 6500 rpm, the highest of any Mustang, including the Shelby products.
- The Bullitt's boost in power over the GT comes courtesy of an open-element air filter, unique exhaust tuning designed to match the sound of the car in the movie, and an adaptive spark ignition system.
- 3.73:1 limited-slip differential is the shortest of any Mustang.
- Suspension is lowered slightly in the rear and the dampers are retuned for the car. A strut-tower brace is added.
- Transmission is the 5-speed Tremec TR-3650 from the Mustang GT.
- The brakes are stock Mustang GT except for more aggressive, Performance Friction Carbon Metallic front pads.
- Options include: Xenon lights, Shaker audio system, Sirius satellite radio, an interior lighting option, upgraded anti-theft system, and wheel locks.
We say:
We love the subtle styling and it sounds fantastic - Ford used a specially mastered copy of the movie to get the exhaust right - but $31,000 is a lot of money for a slightly tweaked Mustang GT.