No car looks meaner coming toward you or in your rearview mirror than the current Mustang. And, just as the Mustang in the mid-’60s was the car that started a new segment called pony cars — compact, affordable performance cars — it’s a major stud in the herd of today’s retro-styled rides.
Mustang has had one of the longest and biggest successes in the industry. Last week, Ford announced that it had built its 9 millionth unit. Special edition Mustangs keep cropping up, and among the most recent is the Bullitt model, with a planned limited production of 7,700 units in the U.S. and Canada.
The 2008 Mustang Bullitt was introduced to coincide with the 40th anniversary of the film “Bullitt,” starring Steve McQueen. In the movie, McQueen drives a Dark Highland Green 1968 Mustang, which is involved in a seven-minute car chase scene that is legendary in motion picture history.
The Mustang Bullitt has Highland Green paint, and using a specially mastered DVD, Ford engineers developed an exhaust note for the car that matches what was heard in the film.
This new special edition model isn’t just a Mustang GT with some Bullitt badging slapped on. In fact, it lacks some features found on other Mustangs. On the movie car, all exterior badging was removed, including the signature Mustang pony on the grille, and there were no scoops or spoilers. The Mustang Bullitt replicates that look — but the word Bullitt appears inside a gun-sight graphic in the center of a just-for-show gas cap in the rear.
The wheels, unique to Bullitt, are cast-aluminum Euroflanges with Dark Argent Gray spokes with a satin finish, and a bright-machined lip.
Bullitt has the latest in Ford Racing Technology and is sport-tuned with a modified chassis and suspension to deliver what Ford says is the most balanced Mustang ever. Its power comes from a 4.6-liter V8 generating 315 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 325 lb-ft of torque at 4,250 rpm. The EPA rating is 15 city, 23 highway. The car can burn regular fuel without engine damage, but Ford recommends premium for optimum performance.
Stock Mustang GT shocks and struts were replaced by new units that enabled engineers to produce a more aggressive driving dynamic without compromising ride quality. A tower-to-tower brace designed specifically for the Bullitt lends additional torsional and lateral stiffness to the chassis for improved cornering, and has a unique serial number for each Bullitt.
The car’s uncluttered interior is cribbed from the ’60s. Its highlight is a hand-machined aluminum swirl dash panel applique — another feature unique to Bullitt. The Bullitt logo appears on the steering wheel, and the word Bullitt is embossed into the metal sill plates.
For all its panty-twisting power and performance, the Mustang Bullitt is a civilized, even practical, car. Front seats are highly comfortable, the ride is definitely sporty but not harsh, acceleration is smooth — no whiplash launches. The standard five-speed manual transmission has a very cooperative shift lever and a clutch pedal that doesn’t feel like it’s fighting back.
Standard features include air conditioning, a power six-way driver’s seat, tilt steering wheel, split fold-down rear seat, remote keyless entry, power windows and door locks, traction control and anti-lock brakes.
My tester’s options included a navigation system, Sirius satellite radio and HID headlamps. The Bullitt package adds $3,310 to the $27,765 base price of the Mustang GT.
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