Mustang Ford Mustang Bullitt

2008 Ford Mustang Bullitt Preview Car Reviews - The Car Connection

With movies like Saw IV and Spider-Man 3, it's been called the year of the sequel. But Hollywood isn't the only place hoping to repeat its past success. Of course, in the auto industry, they call it retro, and few makers have done a better job of going forward into the past than Ford, with its Mustang.

Part of the Ford formula is to keep the Mustang brand fresh, with a steady array of variants, from the GT to the Shelby GT500. The upcoming Los Angeles auto show will bring the debut of yet another pony car spin-off, arguably the most retro of them all, since the Mustang Bullitt is based on a nearly 40-year-old Steve McQueen film that built one of the most exciting silver screen chase scenes ever around a modified Mustang 390GT.

"We pored over the film, frame-by-frame," says Ford manager Doug Gaffka, studying all the subtle design details of McQueen's Mustang. And a surprising number of them show up on the limited-edition Bullitt, a follow-up to the short-run Mustang that Ford launched in late 2001.

This isn't a complete remake. It's all in the details, and one of the first you're likely to notice is the distinct absence of a pony - or snake or anything else - on the Bullitt's black-out grille.

"It's the only Mustang we have without a horse on it," notes Gaffka, adding, "It wasn't on the original" McQueen car.

That grille is surrounded by a subtle chrome bead, incidentally, a detail also borrowed from the '68 Mustang 390GT.

The '08 Bullitt features low-profile 18-inch wheels modeled after the original Torque Thrust design which, incidentally, used 15-inch wheels and tires, which were, for their day, positively massive.

Inside, the Bullitt borrows its seats from the latest Shelby Mustang, with their firm bolstering designed for serious chases and hard weekend driving. The dash boasts a trick, engine-turned aluminum appliqué. That's not an original, Gaffka acknowledges, but he contends, "It's authentic to the period."

Instead of chrome, Bullitt designers opted for slick satin aluminum for details like the door handles and big ball shifter knob - something else you'll find in the original Bullitt, car and movie.

As to performance, the newest Bullitt will not be king-of-the-hill, not at 315 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque, but it'll be more than able to keep up with traffic.

Ford intends to produce just 750 copies of the 2008 Bullitt, at $31,075 a pop. If the 2002 version is any indication, the order banks won't take long to fill.

Stay tuned for more information and pictures as TheCarConnection.com covers the Los Angeles auto show starting November 13.

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Re: Ford Mustang Bullitt (TCC Preview)

retro

Re: Ford Mustang Bullitt (TCC Preview)

Is this supposed to be underwhelming? The only thing cool in these pics is the fac that I know those locations, LOL. San Francisco FTW!

Re: Ford Mustang Bullitt (TCC Preview)

BUCKLE UP AND BRACE FOR ACTION, MCQUEEN FANS
Press Release

• More horses: Featuring the latest in Ford Racing Technology, Bullitt’s 4.6-liter V-8 delivers 315 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque.
• Sport-tuned: Modified chassis and suspension improves an already competent and capable chassis to deliver the most balanced Mustang ever.
• Film-inspired: Dark Highland Green exterior paint calls back the original movie car, while a specially mastered DVD helped Ford engineers deliver an exhaust note that matches the film.
• Mustang magic: Bullitt is the latest in a line of special editions that keep Mustang news fresh. Plus, it delivers on the Mustang tradition of unique products that fit customers’ individual preferences: a steed for every need.
• Bottom line: Bullitt carries on the Mustang tradition of affordable performance with a $31,075 Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP). A limited production run of 7,700 units is planned.

Four decades after hitting the big screen and redefining the on-screen car chase, the Ford Mustang Bullitt returns to the streets in 2008, blending the best Mustang ever with the latest Ford Racing technology. This modern classic delivers a balance of power and performance, thanks to special chassis and suspension tweaks as well as the 315 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque that Bullitt delivers through its 4.6-liter V-8 engine.

“The 2008 Mustang Bullitt embodies the true spirit of the 1968 movie car,” said Derrick Kuzak, 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 next year, with a starting MSRP of $31,075 (including destination and delivery) and limited production of 7,700 units for the U.S. and Canada. The launch of the limited edition 2008 Mustang Bullitt coincides with the 40th anniversary of the release of the Warner pos. Pictures film that gave the original car its name. In the movie, legendary 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.

Bullitt Chassis Delivers a Balance of Performance and Comfort
Ford engineers modified the 2008 Mustang Bullitt’s chassis and suspension to fine-tune handling and ensure the extra horsepower and torque from the 4.6-liter V-8 is put to good use. The live rear axle uses a unique 3.73:1 gear that helps launch the Bullitt with vigor. Stock Mustang GT shocks and struts were swapped out for new units that allowed engineers to dial in a more aggressive driving dynamic while still maintaining the outstanding ride and balance of the base Mustang GT. A tower-to-tower pace 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. Performance is on demand. You can easily take Bullitt from the track to the street and back onto the track with confidence.”

The pakes 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. The 2008 Mustang Bullitt wears unique cast-aluminum Euroflange wheels, offering a modern twist on the original movie car. The Dark Argent Gray spokes feature a satin finish, while a pight-machined lip completes the look. Calipers are colored to match the wheel. The wheels are wrapped in the same P235/50ZR 18 BF Goodrich g-Force T/A KDWS tires used on Mustangs at the Ford Racing High Performance Driving School at Miller Motorsports Park in Utah.

Powered by Ford Racing
Bullitt packs firepower under the hood. The 4.6-liter, 3-valve V-8 delivers 315 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 325 pound-feet of torque at 4,250 rpm. Engine calipation is designed to increase throttle response for a snappier acceleration feel. The 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 Tremac 5-speed manual transmission, and the shifter is topped with a polished aluminum shift ball designed specifically for the 2008 Bullitt.

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 an air box that was tooled up specifically for the Mustang. The hood liner was extensively modified to provide a full seal to the air box, ensuring that the engine is fed a steady diet of cooler air.

“Colder air reduces intake losses,” said Randle. “The new cold-air intake has shown a reduction in rise over ambient temperature from 50 degrees down to 17 degrees Fahrenheit. That equates to more horsepower and more torque in all driving conditions.”

Engine performance is further enhanced through the use of an innovative adaptive spark ignition system, new for the 2008 Mustang. The system can sense, within a few seconds, 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 pounds-feet more between 1,000 and 4,000 rpm. Bullitt can run on either premium or regular fuel. Ford recommends premium fuel for optimum performance, but the adaptive spark ignition will adjust the spark to burn regular fuel 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. We’ve seen zero to 60 times drop by up to three tenths of a second,” said Randle. “There’s also plenty of power on tap at any speed. 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 system 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.”


[Source: Ford via WCF]

Video:

Ford Mustang Bullitt Test Drive (with Smoky Burnouts!)