Even before regular production has begun, Ford’s all-new 2008 Mustang Bullitt has already left its mark. First, some pre-production versions were placed in the hands of a select few automotive journalists; then, a half-dozen influential members of the International Mustang Bullitt Owners Club were invited to the Mustang plant for a sneak peek at the latest “King of Cool.” Next, a media unveiling event was held in San Francisco before the car’s public reveal at the Los Angeles Auto Show. And now comes word that Bullitt was chosen to pace races at this year’s NASCAR finale in Florida.
The headlines have been coming fast and furious for the new Bullitt, which returns to the streets in early 2008, blending the latest in Ford Racing technology with the best Mustang Ford has ever produced. The classic nameplate is back to wow enthusiasts with its satisfying blend of performance and handling, along with the kind of power that is expected from Mustang. The latest version of the Bullitt will be a true throwback to the original car featured in the 1968 “Bullitt” movie. It will also feature a unique grille, wheels and special interior touches, and its V-8 will deliver a Ford Racing-inspired 315 horsepower.
“Ford Racing supplied the parts packs for the new Bullitt, complete with a Ford Racing pedigree,” said Jamie Allison, manager, Ford Performance Group. “Many of the Bullitt’s suspension and powertrain components were inspired by the development of the championship-winning Mustang FR500C race car, so it features our latest technology. This whole effort was a great collaboration between Team Mustang and the engineers at the Ford Racing Performance Group.”
With the kind of enthusiast interest that the ‘08 Bullitt has generated even before reaching showrooms, it should come as no surprise that the Mustang Bullitt was selected to pace this year’s Ford 400 NASCAR Nextel Cup finale, as well as the Ford 300 NASCAR Busch Series finale. And joining Bullitt in handling official pace duties for the Ford Championship Weekend NASCAR races at Homestead-Miami Speedway is another hot new Ford performance offering – the 2008 Ford F-150 Foose Edition. What’s more, noted hot rod designer Chip Foose got the nod as the celebrity pace truck driver for the season-ending race. (The 2008 F-F150 Foose Edition is the most powerful half-ton truck on the market, with a supercharged 5.4-liter V-8 delivering 450 horsepower and 500 foot-pounds of torque.)
“The F-150 Foose Edition is one more example of Ford’s ‘go-fast’ process to bring unique niche vehicles to the marketplace,” said Allison. “It’s the same process that brought forth the Shelby GT500 and next year’s Shelby King of the Road.”
The launch of the limited-edition ‘08 Mustang Bullitt coincides with the 40th anniversary of the release of the Warner Bros. Pictures film that gave the original car its name. In the movie, actor Steve McQueen drove a Dark Highland Green 1968 Mustang GT that gained cult status among Mustang enthusiasts, thanks to a seven-minute scene that film and car buffs believe defined the modern movie car chase.
For the 2008 Bullitt, engineers modified the Mustang’s chassis and suspension to fine-tune its handling and ensure that the extra horsepower and torque from the 3-valve 4.6-liter SOHC V-8 is put to good use. The live rear axle uses a 3.73:1 gear that helps launch the Bullitt with vigor. Stock Mustang GT shocks and struts were swapped out for new units that provide a more aggressive driving dynamic while still maintaining the outstanding ride and balance of the base Mustang GT. And a strut tower-to-tower brace designed specifically for the Bullitt lends additional torsional and lateral stiffness to the chassis for improved cornering and holds a unique serial number for each Bullitt.
“The 2008 Mustang Bullitt delivers balanced performance,” said Paul Randle, chief engineer. “Comfort is not compromised for performance. You can easily take Bullitt from the track to the street with confidence.”
Brakes also have been improved versus the base Mustang GT’s. More aggressive front pads were developed specifically for Bullitt and improve fade resistance and pedal feel. And the unique cast-aluminum Euroflange wheels offer a modern twist on the original movie car. Dark Argent Gray spokes feature a satin finish, while a bright-machined lip completes the distinctive look. Calipers are colored to match the wheels. Tire choice is the same P235/50ZR 18 BF Goodrich g-Force T/A KDWS used on Mustangs at the Ford Racing High Performance Driving School at Miller Motorsports Park in Utah.
The new Bullitt’s 315 horses are delivered at 6,000 rpm, with 325 pound-feet of torque available at 4,250 rpm, with engine calibration designed to increase throttle response. Redline has been boosted by 250 rpm to 6,500, with top-end speed bumped to 151 miles per hour. Gears are selected via a Tremec 5-speed manual transmission, and the shifter is topped with a unique polished aluminum shift ball.
The car features the first use of an open-element air filter in a factory-produced, fuel-injected Mustang. Inspired by Ford Racing, the intake is tucked neatly behind the driver side headlamp, mounted in a Mustang-specific air box. The hood liner was extensively modified to provide a full seal to the air box.
Engine performance is further enhanced through the use of an innovative adaptive spark ignition system, new for the 2008 Mustang. The system can sense what type of fuel is being injected into the motor and adjusts the spark to provide maximum torque at any given speed – and as much as 10 foot-pounds more between 1,000 and 4,000 rpm. While Bullitt can run on either premium or regular fuel, Ford recommends premium for optimum performance, even though regular can now be used without damaging the engine.
“With all the improvements we’ve made to the engine and the taller 3.73-to-1 rear gear, the Bullitt will plant you firmly in the driver’s seat when you stand on the throttle,” said Randle. “We’ve seen zero to 60 times drop by up to three tenths of a second. The car definitely feels lighter on its feet, and it is.”
The custom-designed exhaust system continues Mustang’s traditional use of a true dual-exhaust with a new H-pipe specifically developed for Bullitt. The all-new mufflers, featuring larger 3.5-inch chrome tips (versus the 3-inch tips on the standard Mustang GT) are tuned to minimize backpressure, maximize horsepower and provide the Bullitt with its powerful exhaust note.
“We wanted to get the exhaust note as close to the original movie car as possible, so we based it on a digitally mastered DVD,” said Randle. “We wanted something that would rumble your heart, literally buzz you – and the Bullitt team delivered.”
The 2008 Mustang Bullitt calls back the original movie car in painstaking detail – right down to the dark green paint and lack of exterior badges, scoops and spoilers. It features a black-mesh grille is devoid of the standard chrome pony and accented by a satin aluminum strip that represents the chrome grille surround on the 1968 car. The only visible identification is the word “Bullitt” dropped into a gun-sight graphic in the center of the decklid’s faux gas cap. Dark Highland Green paint has graced only one other Mustang, the 2001 Mustang Bullitt. For ‘08, non-purists can opt for just one other Bullitt color – black.
Bullitt’s understated interior is dressed in Charcoal Black leather and Satin metallic trim, set off by a hand-machined, aluminum-swirl dash panel appliqué. The only identifying marks visible inside Bullitt are the logo and gun-sight graphic mounted in the center of the leather-wrapped steering wheel and the word “Bullitt” embossed into the metal sill plates. The pedals wear race-inspired aluminum covers that further reinforce Bullitt’s performance intentions. Seats are patterned after those used in the Shelby GT500, providing added lumbar and bolster support. They are constructed using the new soy-based foam developed by Ford and introduced on the 2008 Mustang. The soy foam, made up of 24 percent renewable content, is produced through a process that requires less energy and emits less CO2
“The 2008 Mustang Bullitt embodies the true spirit of the 1968 movie car,” said Derrick Kuzak, Ford group vice president, Global Product Development. “Like the original Bullitt, this car dials the driving dynamics up a notch for Mustang enthusiasts who love the performance, handling and the sweet sound of Ford power that only Mustang can deliver.”
The 2008 Bullitt arrives in dealers early in 2008, with a starting MSRP of $31,075 (including destination and delivery) and limited production of 7,700 units for both the U.S. and Canada.