To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the iconic movie "Bullitt", and as effortlessly cool as the original Mustang in the movie, the new Mustang Bullitt has been confirmed for local introduction next year, in limited numbers.
The limited-edition gets an upgraded performance-tuned 5.0 litre V8 engine that delivers 357kW and 420Nm of torque, pushing it to a top speed of 262km/h – an 12km/h increase versus the latest Mustang GT.
Ford says the pony car will be available in South Africa in 2019, in limited numbers.
Limited edition
The new Mustang Bullitt is equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission with rev matching, and the gear shifter features a white cue ball shift knob in a nod to the original.
Bullitt combines elements of Mustang GT Premium and Performance Package content into a unique sports car that maintains the original Bullitt’s understated persona.
An active valve performance exhaust system is standard, with new black NitroPlate exhaust tips, retuned to give the car its signature burble. A new open-air induction system and Shelby GT350 intake manifold help deliver optimal performance.
'Cool, just like Steve McQueen'
Other standard equipment includes a heated leather steering wheel and 12" all-digital LCD instrument cluster, identical in function to the cluster introduced on 2018 Mustang, but with a unique Bullitt welcome screen that starts with an image of the car rather than the standard pony.
Image: Quickpic
"This new Bullitt is my favourite Mustang. With zero stripes, spoilers or badges, it doesn’t need to shout. It’s just cool, like Steve McQueen," said Darrell Behmer, Mustang chief designer.
Exterior paint choices are limited to Shadow Black and classic Dark Highland Green – as worn in the movie. Other features paying tribute to the car McQueen drove are subtle chrome accents around a unique black honeycomb grille and side windows, classic five spoke heritage 19" aluminium wheels and red-painted Brembo brake calipers with larger rotors. There is minimal badging inside and out; only a circular Bullitt logo emblem on the decklid adorns the exterior.
Image: Quickpic
The leather-trimmed interior features unique green accent stitching on the dashboard, door panels, centre console and seats.
"When making a Bullitt, there are certain things it absolutely must have. It has to have the right attitude and it has to be unique in some way from a Mustang GT. More than anything, it has to be badass," said Carl Widmann, Mustang chief engineer.
Local pricing and spec levels will be confirmed closer to local introduction.