Coinciding with the 40th anniversary of the release of the Steve McQueen film ‘Bullitt’, Ford is launching a limited edition 2008 Mustang Bullitt which “blends the best Mustang ever with the latest Ford Racing technology”.
As in the 1968 film, where the Mustang gained cult status due to the famous seven-minute chase, the new car will be in Dark Highland Green – while a specially mastered DVD helped Ford engineers to deliver an exhaust note that matches the original. The film car’s stealth-like appearance will also be copied. In typical Hollywood fashion, the film-makers removed the car’s badges and logos – including the iconic pony badge on the grille – and the 2008 Mustang Bullitt has also been stripped of many of its adornments such as badges, scoops and spoilers. The only visible identification is the word ‘Bullitt’ dropped into a gun-sight graphic on the faux petrol cap.
There are plenty of differences from the original when it comes to the engine and chassis, however. The latest model is powered by a 4.6-litre V8 which uses the latest in Ford Racing Technology to develop over 310bhp and 325lb ft of torque. Meanwhile, Ford engineers modified the 2008 Mustang Bullitt’s chassis and suspension to fine-tune the handling, while the live rear axle uses a unique 3.73:1 gear that helps launch the Bullitt “with vigour”. The brakes have also been improved against those of the base Mustang GT, with more ‘aggressive’ front pads developed specifically for the Bullitt to give improved fade resistance and pedal feel.
The 2008 Mustang Bullitt wears unique cast-aluminum Euroflange wheels, offering a modern twist on the original film car. The Dark Argent Gray spokes have a satin finish with a bright-machined lip. The calipers are coloured to match the wheels, which are shod in P235/50ZR 18 BF Goodrich g-Force T/A KDWS tyres.
The 2008 Bullitt is limited to a production of 7700 units for the US and Canada, and will arrive in dealerships next year at a starting price of $31,075.
Text - Charis Whitcombe
Photos - Ford Motor Company
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