Ford brings back ‘Bullitt’ Mustang
Ford used January’s North American International Auto Show to spring a couple of surprises, one of which was the return of the ‘Bullitt’ Mustang.
To be released to the North American market later this year (as a 2019 model), the new Bullitt is the third such reincarnation of the name (see breakout) and arrives on the 50th Anniversary of the Hollywood movie of the same name that became famous for its car chase between Detective Frank Bullitt (Steve McQueen) in a Highland Green 1968 Mustang GT fastback and mafia hitmen in a black ’68 Dodge Charger.
That near-10-minute chase through the streets of San Francisco, with McQueen doing much of the driving himself, has been rated as one of the best in cinema history, while McQueen’s no-nonsense portrayal of the titular character arguably set the template for memorable movie detectives, like Popeye Doyle (The French Connection) and Harry Callahan (Dirty Harry), that followed.
Small Numbers, Big Performance
Based on a GT and offered only in the fastback coupe body style, exactly how many units of the MY19 Mustang Bullitt will be produced has yet to be confirmed, but Ford has revealed that the upcoming limited edition will have more power and torque than the standard GT.
Modifications to the GT’s 5.0-litre V8 include a new Open Air Induction System, intake manifolds from the Shelby GT350, 87mm throttle bodies, recalibrated powertrain control module and an active valve performance system as part of a retuned exhaust.
Matched to a 6-speed manual as standard, performance is said to be “at least” 350kW and 569Nm (475hp and 420lb/ft torque), with a top speed in excess of 260km/h (163mph). That’s a slight increase on the 343kW from the stock Mustang GT, but torque is unchanged.
Normally optional GT Premium and Performance package items will be fitted as standard, with extra-cost options including MagneRide semi-active suspension and a ‘Bullitt Electronics Package’ that includes Blind Spot Recognition and Rear Cross Traffic Alert, sat nav and memory function for the external mirrors and front seats.
Modern Tech, Classic Colour
Inside, the Mustang Bullitt is largely as per the MY18 Mustang GT, with leather trim, a heated leather steering wheel and 12-inch all-digital LCD instrumentation. Unique touches include a special Bullitt-themed welcome on the instrument screen that features the car rather than the Mustang pony image on start-up.
The gear shifter features a white ‘cue ball’ knob in a nod to the original, while green accent stitching - used on the seats, dash, doorcards and centre console - is inspired by the Highland Green exterior of the original Bullitt Mustang. GT-spec front seats are standard, but leather-trimmed Recaro race seats are optional.
A Bullitt graphic adorns the steering wheel boss and a numbered plaque on the passenger-side dash. That same graphic is used on the door sills and, in lieu of the GT badge on the rear taillight panel, is the only badge on the exterior.
That exterior features familiar ‘Dark Highland Green’ paint; one of only two paint choices available, the other being Shadow Black.
Other external touches unique to the Bullitt Mustang include a blacked-out grille that deletes the Mustang pony emblem, subtle chrome accents framing that grille and the front windows, modern 19-inch interpretations of the original Torq Thrust alloys, and red-painted Brembo brake calipers.
“The new Bullitt is, as Steve McQueen was, effortlessly cool,” said Darrell Behmer, Mustang chief designer. “As a designer, it’s my favourite Mustang – devoid of stripes, spoilers and badges. It doesn’t need to scream about anything – it’s just cool.”
NA outside of North America
The MY19 Ford Mustang Bullitt will be released to the North American market in Q3, 2018. At time of writing, the Bullitt will not be produced in factory RHD form, so will not be available in Australia.
