Click above image for an updated gallery of the 2008 Ford Mustang Bullitt
For the second and final leg of our drive with the Bullitt, we took back roads up from Monterey to San Francisco with some great twisties that really put the new suspension to the test. Read on after the jump for more from Day 2 or click here to read about our adventure on Day 1...
click on any image to enlarge
The additional seat time reinforced our initial impression that the Mustang Bullitt has an ideal setup for the street. We loved how the Shelby GT handled when pushed, but the Bullitt does 90% of that while offering a ride that doesn't jar you over bumps. Everything about the car responds just a tad quicker than the regular GT. We are also a big fan of the seats, which were wonderfully comfortable over several hours of driving. The fully leather-wrapped steering wheel, which had better grip and was more comfortable than the standard wheel, also drew praise. That exhaust sound was also wonderfully quiet when just cruising, but could be easily awakened with a touch of the throttle.
The Bullitt received no more attention than it did the previous day. Only a few knowledgeable Mustang buffs actually knew what they were looking at when they saw us pass by. We've also found reactions from current Mustang owners to be mixed. Half the people love the stripped down look, while others seem to be questioning whether Ford did enough with the car. Either there's not enough power, they didn't do enough with the styling, or it needs something to differentiate it from a stock GT and the V6.
While Ford definitely could have done more with the Bullitt, it makes sense that they didn't. They are going after the owner who doesn't want the frills. There is no spoiler. No quarter window louvers. There is no excess of badges letting everyone know that the car is special. The only available colors are Highland Green and Black – not exactly eye catching. Even the calipers, which were painted red on the 2001 version, have been painted grey to blend in with the wheels. Most people who see the car will give it only a slight glance, and that is what is intended. It was built to reflect the movie car, and only those who really know Mustangs will know what the car represents. Think of it this way – what would Steve McQueen drive? Definitely not something that would attract attention. After all, if there's a guy who doesn't need people to tell him he's cool, it's Steve McQueen.
Ford provided the vehicles for testing. Autoblog does not accept travel or lodging from automakers when attending media events.
Live photos Copyright ©2007 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Sandeep @ Nov 8th 2007 8:27PM
Another day, another Mustang variant
David W. @ Nov 8th 2007 8:38PM
...this isn't ANOTHER mustang variant..it's been talked about on this site before.
It's also one of the few that has direct ties to Ford
strongbadinator @ Nov 8th 2007 9:46PM
No crap. Zzzzzzzzz. So on paper, is this like the 53,285,921st 'special edition' of a mustang?
Sandeep @ Nov 8th 2007 8:46PM
Definition of 'variant': one of two or more persons or things exhibiting usu. slight differences
What the Bullit Mustang is:
A Mustang that has been tweaked aesthetically and mechanically from the original but still retains most of the original parts bin and chassy. How is this not "another" Mustang?
Just because people will buy it for being a throwback doesn't make it anything but a tweaked Mustang.
P B @ Nov 8th 2007 9:00PM
Needs a woodgrain grill like the movie cars.
P B @ Nov 8th 2007 9:00PM
And by grill I meant dash.
Bryan @ Nov 8th 2007 9:40PM
I like it a lot. It was made for a certain type of person. Personally, I rather have a bright red GT. But I would not mind having this one either! And please, some of you are getting really old about all the variants comments. The Mustang has more clubs and more people involved with it in the US than any other vehicle. It is a hot car, and everyone wants to play on that and make their own version for two reasons. Show their own style, and make some money. Duh! Get over it!
Nick @ Nov 8th 2007 10:18PM
Ford really should have given this thing more power, or at least made it lighter to reflect the "stripped" nature of it. Give it a carbon reinforced plastic (CFRP) hood and trunk for example, and I would be very interested.
weahman11 @ Nov 8th 2007 10:36PM
Still a Mustang = Ford= crap
Danny Boy @ Nov 8th 2007 10:47PM
I'de get it in black. Either way, I would buy a regular GT, and debadge the damn thing.
madgamer @ Nov 8th 2007 10:51PM
Holy crap! A green mustang GT... ford should have done WAY more with this. 'But its got a grill, rims, and an air intake!' If anyone here saw this going down the road and even recognized it as something other than a base mustang, would you actually think 'cool' or even give it a second glance?
Drew Phillips @ Nov 8th 2007 11:36PM
I can tell you didn't read the article...
madgamer @ Nov 8th 2007 11:51PM
I did. I guess I just fall into that half that, "seem to be questioning whether Ford did enough with the car." Minor tweaks here and there can help make it a better vehicle overall, but I just question all the noise about this thing when there are already so many mustang variants out there, many of which have more radical changes. It just doesn't really say 'Bullet special edition', or even any edition, to me. If it was some sort of ultra light weight, high horsepower sleeper-monster, then that would be cool, but as it is, I wish there were more.
Drew Phillips @ Nov 8th 2007 11:59PM
Fair enough. My best guess is that Ford is working up to either a Mach 1 or (hopefully) a Boss Mustang for 2009. Both would fall in line with the 40th anniversary of the originals. Either would undoubtedly have more of a focus on performance and could be a Mustang that would appeal to you and others wanting more instead of less.
Dave @ Nov 9th 2007 12:12AM
Needs something more for the front end, some fog lights or a chin spoiler or for 31 Grand... how about Xenon headlights?
MikeW @ Nov 9th 2007 1:03PM
It has optional HID single beam reflectors instead of the H13 dual beams.
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2008-ford-mustang-bullitt/478490/full/
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2008-ford-mustang-bullitt/478486/full/
http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2008-ford-mustang-bullitt/476409/full/
Aaron B Brown @ Nov 9th 2007 12:12AM
It's the classiest looking mustang yet, starting with the color which is the equivalent of British racing Green, and the polished aluminum finishes are tasteful. And the old-school rims are the best Ford has to offer I think. It's got a clean look that gives the car the look of a familiar friend you can count on, a look that says functional utility.
I would drive this mustang, before I would drive any of the other variants. And if I wanted to upgrade the power I just installed 200 hp nitrous kick to give it a little extra authority when necessary.
I think Ford got this one right, it's about time.
Harrison @ Nov 9th 2007 12:18AM
This is the only special-edition Mustang worth a damn.
That, and the Shelby. :D
Gregory Anderson @ Nov 9th 2007 5:35AM
Ford has gone way over the top. Too much is too much. Enough with the Mustangs.
Jeff @ Nov 9th 2007 9:05AM
All the negative comments about too many variants, Ford's way over the top, etc are humorous.
Ford knows the market for this type of car and knows the Mustang buyer and is giving them what they want (well for the most part). It is a formula that has allowed the Mustang to be produced for over 40 years uninterrupted. Why change it? That doesn't mean don't try to improve the vehicle, but special editions are a good thing. And the fact that aftermarket and specialty companies are putting out non-vanilla modified Mustangs only speaks to the cars popularity. Again, that's a good thing. Not all of them are my cup of tea, but it's still a positive that the enthusiast has so many choices. (I prefer the Saleen look.)
I'm not sure if all the negative people are Chevy guys or Honda nutswingers or just sheeple who have nothing better to contribute, but again, its quite comical.