Expert Opinions & Reviews: 2008 Ford Mustang V6 Deluxe Coupe

Expert Review:

2008 Ford Mustang Bullitt Review

by Keith Buglewicz
May 29, 2008

Introduction

Ford Mustang Bullitt – 2008 Review: Commemorating the landmark 1968 Steve McQueen movie “Bullitt� – especially the famous car chase scene – the 2008 Bullitt Mustang is more than just another special-edition-of-the-week Mustang that we’ve become accustomed to from Ford. This one boasts a little more power, better handling and possibly the best exterior enhancement of any current-generation Mustang that we’ve seen, high-performance Shelby models included. Yet performance has never been the Mustang’s problem. It’s the lack of refinement, and the Bullitt’s cheap plastic interior and lack of sophistication is even less acceptable at this model’s $34,700 as-tested price tag than it is at the standard GT’s $28,000.

What We Drove
Technically, the Bullitt is a $27,765 Mustang GT (including the $745 destination charge) with a $3,310 option package added. The appearance package is most obvious, with the car stripped of most of its badges and available in black or in our tester’s Highland Green, the same color as McQueen’s movie car. The package also includes a handful of engine enhancements and suspension tweaks, delivering at least a little on the exterior’s promise. Our test car included Ford’s $1,995 navigation system, a $325 anti-theft system, $525 high-intensity headlights and an ambient lighting system and iPod integration (but not Sync) for $295 apiece.

The Bullitt Package
In addition to the green paint and lack of badges, the 2008 Bullitt Mustang adds Ford Racing’s exhaust and cold-air intake to the Bullitt Mustang’s 4.6-liter V-8. The resulting 315 horsepower and 325 lb.-ft of torque is 15 hp and 5 lb.-ft. more than the GT. The Bullitt also gets a recalibrated throttle for crisper response; retuned cams for better high-end power, higher redline and a meatier torque curve; a shorter final-drive ratio for quicker launches; and a solid-shifting five-speed manual transmission. Shocks and struts are unique to the Bullitt, as are the rear springs, which lower the car an almost imperceptible 6 mm.

Performance
Ford claims the Ford Racing engine enhancements’ beefier torque curve and shorter final drive make for harder launches and a better top end. While we didn’t have a standard Mustang GT to compare it against, the Bullitt has no problem pulling hard from a dead stop with a glorious V-8 roar, and we noticed no letup in power deliver as the engine approached redline. The five-speed shifter is solid, maybe a little too stiff, but with a smooth and progressive clutch. It’s the kind of powertrain that brings out your inner delinquent, and it’s hard to resist the urge to turn rubber to smoke at every opportunity.

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