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 Bros. 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 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.
Performance is on demand. You can easily take Bullitt from the track to
the street and back onto the track with confidence.”
The 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.
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 bright-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 calibration 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.”
Capturing the Bullitt’s Undercover Look
The original 1968 Mustang’s stealth-like appearance wasn’t necessarily
intentional. In typical Hollywood fashion, the movie crew removed all
exterior badges and logos from the car – including the iconic pony badge
on the grille.
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.
The only visible identification is the word “Bullitt” dropped into a
gun-sight graphic in the center of the faux gas cap on the decklid.
“The 2008 Mustang Bullitt, like the movie car, is a wolf in sheep’s
clothing,” said Doug Gaffka, chief designer. “Mustang is – and always has
been – such an icon that it’s recognizable without the badges. But
Bullitt’s clean exterior doesn’t give away the Ford Racing-inspired power
and performance lurking under its skin.”
The new Bullitt wears a close match to the movie car’s 1968 Highland Green
paint, officially called Dark Highland Green. This distinctive color has
only graced one other Mustang, the 2001 Mustang Bullitt. Gaffka assures
Bullitt enthusiasts that the color will remain an exclusive Mustang
Bullitt color. Non-purists can opt for only one other color – black.
The Mustang Bullitt uses the standard Mustang GT’s front fascia. A new
black-mesh grille is devoid of the standard chrome pony and is accented by
a satin aluminum strip that represents the chrome grille surround on the
1968 car. The rear fascia also is shared with the standard Mustang GT and
houses Bullitt’s unique dual exhaust tips. Dark Argent Gray painted brake
calipers closely match the wheel spokes, while staying true to the
original.
Bullitt Interior Delivers Comfort with a Purpose
The interior is pure Mustang Bullitt, understated and dressed in Charcoal
Black leather and Satin metallic trim. The centerpiece of the interior is
the hand-machined, aluminum swirl dash panel appliqué.
“The machined appliqué differentiates the Bullitt from any other Mustang
in the line-up,” said Gaffka. “It’s also perfect for the Bullitt. The
graphic presentation brings back the feel of the ‘60s while still staying
true to the Mustang’s modern interior design.”
Satin aluminum bezels circle the air vents and gauges, complementing a
satin aluminum shift ball that replaces the standard leather-wrapped
shifter on the Mustang GT. The pedals wear race-inspired aluminum covers
that further reinforce Bullitt’s performance intentions.
The interior is graphically clean. 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 Dark Charcoal leather seats pick up the diamond perforation inserts
from the base Mustang GT. The seats are patterned after those in the
Shelby GT500 providing added lumbar and bolster support. The seats 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.
Bullitt Pushes Beyond
The Bullitt package enhances the Mustang GT Premium package with the
following:
Exterior
Highland Green (unique to Bullitt) or Black exterior paint
Modified 18-inch micro machined Euro-flange Bullitt wheels and unique
satin finish; c/o tri-bar pony wheel cap
Dark
gray painted calipers
Modified badging with unique satin finish and Bullitt nomenclature
Aluminum accents – c/o IUP door handles and premier trim pedal
covers and shifter trim ring
Aluminum shifter ball unique to Bullitt
Revised cluster with gunsight graphics and unique font
Shelby
GT500-style sport front seats and Shelby GT500-style steering wheel
with Bullitt logo
Unique
aluminum sill plate (scuff plate) with Bullitt logo
Serialization plate on strut tower brace
Powertrain
4.6-liter, 3-valve SOHC V-8; 315 horsepower
Tremec TR-3650 5-speed manual transmission
Signature Bullitt exhaust sound
New open-element cold air induction system & hood blanket with AIS
seal
High
performance calibration
Dual
knock strategy enabling the vehicle to run on either regular unleaded
or premium (for improved performance)
Crisper throttle response
Revised
cam timing at peak power
Redline
increased by 250 RPM to 6500 RPM
3.73:1
axle ratio
Chassis
New
unique strut tower brace
New
Unique shock and strut tuning
Rear
spring change that lowers Vehicle Ride Height by approximately 6 mm
Carbon
metallic front brake pads
Mustang Bullitt, F-150 Foose Edition to Pace Ford Championship Weekend
Race Finales Noted hot rod designer Chip Foose to be celebrity pace car driver
for Ford 200
Two of
Ford’s hottest new performance vehicles take the stage at Ford and
NASCAR’s championship weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway Nov. 16-18.
The
2008 Mustang Bullitt will pace the Ford 400 NASCAR Nextel Cup finale
and the Ford 300 NASCAR Busch Series finale.
The
2008 Ford F-150 Foose Edition will pace the Ford 200 NASCAR Craftsman
Truck finale, and noted hot rod designer Chip Foose will be the
celebrity pace truck driver.
The
Mustang Bullitt blends the latest in Ford Racing technology with the
best Mustang ever.
The
Ford F-150 Foose Edition is the ultimate “street tough” F-150.
Two of
Ford’s hottest products for 2008 – the Mustang Bullitt and the Ford
F-150 Foose Edition - have been selected to pace the three Ford
Championship Weekend NASCAR races at Homestead-Miami Speedway Nov.
16-18.
The Mustang Bullitt, unveiled
for media last week in San Francisco, will pace the Ford 400 NASCAR Nextel
Cup finale, and the Ford 300 NASCAR Busch Series finale. The F-150 Foose
Edition will pace the season-ending Ford 200 Craftsman Truck event.
“Ford Championship Weekend,
with big crowds and a national TV audience, is a tremendous opportunity to
showcase Ford’s great products,” said Jamie Allison, manager, Ford
Performance Group. “And the Bullitt and F-150 Foose Edition are certainly
two of the most anticipated high-performance products from Ford coming for
2008.”
The Mustang Bullitt returns to
the streets in 2008, blending the latest in Ford Racing technology with
the best Mustang ever. The classic nameplate returns to wow enthusiasts
with a blend of high performance, handling and the power that is expected
from Mustang.
The latest version of the
Bullitt will, of course, be Highland Green, true to the original car in
the 1968 “Bullitt” movie. It will feature a unique black mesh grille and
special interior touches, and will deliver 315 horsepower out of the
4.6-liter, 3-valve, SOHC V-8.
“Ford Racing supplied the
parts packs for this car, complete with a Ford Racing pedigree,” said
Allison. “Many of the 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.”
The Ford F-150 Foose Edition
is the ultimate street tough F-150, as noted hot rod designer Chip Foose,
star of TV’s “Overhaulin’” put his design stamp on America’s favorite
pickup truck. Foose’s design lowers the truck in the boulevard-spirit,
while maintaining the Ford F-150’s Built Ford Tough heritage.
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 lbs.-ft. of torque.
The Foose Edition F-150 was
first discussed at the 2006 Specialty Equipment Marketing Association (SEMA)
Show in Las Vegas, and one year later it is a reality.
Foose himself will climb
behind the wheel of the F-150 Friday evening as the celebrity pace truck
driver for the Ford 200 Craftsman Truck finale.
“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.
“We always select some of our
every best production vehicles to pace the Ford Championship Weekend,”
added Allison. “When you think about the performance that’s needed to pace
NASCAR race cars on track, the Bullitt and the F-150 Foose Edition are the
type of vehicles you need.”
Each of the pace vehicles have
been equipped for their pace car duties with special decal packages and
light bars.
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.
Powered by Ford Racing
Bullitt Interior Delivers Comfort with a Purpose