Suitability Parameters:
Speed Merchants: Yes
Fashion Victims: Yes
Treehuggers: No
Mack Daddies: Yes
Tuner Crowd: No
Hairdressers: No
Penny Pinchers: No
Euro Snobs: No
Working Stiffs: No
Technogeeks: No
Poseurs: No
Soccer Moms: No
Nascar Dads: Yes
Golfing Grandparents: No

Also Consider:
• 2010 Chevy Camaro
• 2009 Dodge Challenger RT
• Dodge Charger Police Package
• Shelby Mustang 350-H
• BMW 335i Coupe
• Infiniti G37
• 1968 Ford Mustang 390 CID Fastback, Highland Green, no badges, dented in the front

Vitals:
• Manufacturer: Ford
• Model year: 2008
• Base price: $27,020
• Price as tested: $34,705
• Engine type: 4.6-liter V8
• Horsepower: 315 @ 6,000 RPM
• Torque: 325 @ 4,250 RPM
• Transmission: 5-speed Manual
• Curb weight: 3,590 lbs
• LxWxH: 187.6" x 73.9" x 55.5"
• Wheelbase: 107.1"
• Tires: P235/55ZR17
• 0 - 60 mph: 5.0 seconds
• EPA fuel economy city/highway: 15/23 MPG
• Jalopnik fuel economy: 18.4 MPG
• NHTSA crash test rating (Front/Driver Side/Passenger Side): *****/*****/****

Also see:
• 2008 Ford Mustang Bullitt, Part One
• 2008 Ford Mustang Bullitt, Part Two

Acceleration: ****
The buff books have been pegging the Bullitt 's 0-to-60 MPH time at around five seconds flat. That just-slightly-faster than a stock Mustang GT time is achieved thanks to a shorter rear-axle ratio, freer-flowing exhaust and an additional jolt of power from a Ford Racing cold air intake. The redline's been pushed to 6500 rpm. None of that, of course, means anything when you're driving it. The force of gravity pulling your ass backwards and the force of glee pulling the corners of your mouth into your cheeks as you smoke the tires is the best measure of speed, and the Bullitt has plenty of both.

Braking: ***
When you're going fast it's hard to remember that you need to stop. In fact, the best check of the brakes occurred not at the end of the drag strip, but rather as I noticed the fuel gauge beeping and the last gas station on an empty road fast approaching. Braking is sufficient, bringing the car to a halt without any theatrics, but it's nothing amazing.

Ride: ****
This is a Mustang? A performance Mustang? Though not Oldsmobuick floaty, it still manages to glide across the road and even off the beaten path it doesn't bitch and moan. I found it hard to believe that this was a heavy muscle car, much less a Mustang, even after driving it all the way across Texas.

Handling: ****
Balance and predictability are the two key factors here. The Bullitt benefits from a unique strut tower brace and new anti-roll bars which give the chassis a solid feel. Other tweaked suspension bits combine for an enjoyable-yet-manageable experience when tossed around at high speed. Accelerate into a turn from a dead stop and the Mustang's signature propensity to fishtail reveals itself, but even that is precise and controllable thanks to the quick steering.

Gearbox: ****
Who cares about six gears? Who cares about fuel economy? Not us so much. Five well-spaced ratios are all we needed to make the Bullitt perform. The globular aluminum shifter knob is comically large and, in the heat of action, leaves the numbers '1' through '5' and the letter 'R' seared backwards into the driver's palm, but it ends up enhancing the experience given how short and easy the throws are. Just add a layer of french fry grease and it becomes part of your hand.

Audio: ***
There's nothing particularly special about the standard-issue Ford system, which comes with an Auxillary input jack and the option of satellite radio. The real audio system is the car's exhaust, which has supposedly been specially tuned to the sounds from Bullitt. I've watched the movie and I can't quite confirm that, but it doesn't much matter; step on the gas and the deep, throaty rumble will have the high-school girl in the V6 Mustang convertible down the block taking a brief recess from consulting her Sidekick to admire it.

Toys: **
The navigation system might be out of place, but it's functional and touchscreen. Designers, sadly, maintained the 'select-your-color' cupholder and footwell lighting that's offered in the basic GT. I tried to keep the color pink as long as I could manage it — about five seconds. Also, no Sync in our test model. But the lack of toys actually speaks well to the car's purpose — driving.

Value: ***
All told, the 2008 Bullitt comes in at a somewhat hefty $34,705 after the ambient lighting option, GPS, and destination and delivery. If you're not willing to give a GT the necessary upgrades on its own, then it's worth every penny. It's seriously the best Mustang Ford makes. They could, and likely will, come out with 15 more special editions before you finish reading this sentence, but the Bullitt would still be the best. How can you say no when it feels so good?

Overall: ****
There are those who would pass on the car because of the gimmick you must first embrace, the gimmick of the car's eponymous film association. Yes, it is a bit silly. But passing on the car for such a reason would be like walking out on the first course of a carefully prepared meal because you don't like the amuse bouche. It would mean passing on the only muscle car with which you could use the term amuse bouche in a review without feeling a little ridiculous.

Also see:
• 2008 Ford Mustang Bullitt, Part Three
2008 Ford Mustang Bullitt, Part One

My journey started in Dallas, a place where, a poet said, they took a billion steers and made them into buildings made of mirrors. A major metropolitan area, Dallas relishes its wealthy, conservative status. It's home to billionaires, 15 at last count, not bulls. You shouldn't underestimate the city as an urban place, like I did. I was scheduled to fly in and pick up the Bullitt just before 5:00 pm, meaning that I got to share in the universal big-city experience of traffic. Though the clutch isn't particularly heavy, the repetitive motion of engaging and disengaging first resulted in some embarrassing soreness.

The next morning I set out early for Austin, anxious to experience the wide open expanse that is Interstate 35 between the two cities. The sun rising over my left shoulder shined against the hand-turned aluminum covering the dash as I marveled at the joy highway driving could bring after two years crisscrossing Chicago. Driving the Bullitt at speed I'm equally amazed at how solid it feels, how smoothly it drives. The construction and attention to detail are so great that I wonder if it doesn't embarrass the engineers to have to go back to working on other Mustangs.

I check my speed as I cross into Waco, which marks the southern border of the Great Plains and the start of the Texas Hill Country. As the road crests, the braking starts, and my eyes scan the border for the black-and-white-and-browns of the Texas Department of Public Safety patrol cars. How unfortunate it would have been to get busted by the Dr. Pepper Squad, as they're pejoratively known, in the town that invented Dr. Pepper. The Bullitt is so stealth and low-key, especially compared to the wildly-striped special editions, I slipped past all law enforcement with ease.

After thirty minutes of sitting around my friend's North Austin apartment, he politely asks what I want to do. We could grab a Shiner Bock at one of the bars situated along the University of Texas' main drag, but my visit to Austin was about more than gawking at leggy coeds. The city sits at the edge of the Balcones Escarpment, remnants of an ancient mountain range, and has the winding roads to prove it.

Without much effort, I'm able to push the Bullitt further and further without feeling like I'm suddenly going to launch the car off the cliff lurking behind a small barrier to my right. I keep downshifting so we can listen to the syncopated thrum of the pony car's eight cylinders projecting off the limestone walls. The quiet American may be a thing, but there's never been a myth about a quiet Texan.

My hunger for the road was nowhere near waning, but the painted sign of the BBQ shack reminded me of an entirely different kind of hunger. As we exited, a group of teenagers walked by, obviously impressed by the sleek pony car. One of them was misled by the lack of a GT badge or spoiler, saying to his friends "It's just the V6 Mustang." Au contraire! I let them know that they shouldn't be confused by the Highland Green paint and lack of badges, this is a special Mustang. I speak with an embarrassing amount of pride given that this isn't actually my car... but that kid needs to be put in his place.

After a weekend in Austin enjoying the abundant and ridiculously good Mexican food, I point my dark green steed toward the coastal plain and Houston. A truly international city with over 90 languages actively spoken, you're more likely to get into a discussion with a Nigerian ex-pat at an exhibit at one of Houston's world-renowned museums than you are to walk into an argument over the proper way to shoe a horse.

About 20 miles out of Houston, in the little town of Sealy, I'm excited to find an unwatched drag strip behind the shop I'm visiting. With no one looking, I push the Mustang to its limits. While my lungs needed time to readjust to the warm, saturated air flowing off the adjacent Gulf of Mexico, the Bullitt inhaled gulps of air and fuel as it propelled me down the track and deeper into my high-backed chair. Though only slightly faster than a stock GT, this particular pony sounds and feels faster. I circled back to the track repeatedly until I realized I had made plans for lunch where I grew up in one of Houston's affluent northern suburbs.

There's nothing better than showing up back home with a car this beautiful and powerful. There are countless Mustangs on the road, but none of them look quite like this. That's why it's so much fun pointing it out to friends, family and people from high school I randomly bump into near the mall. Sure, the car's not mine, but the experience of driving it was too great not to brag about. Modesty is also not a legendary Texas trait.

My work in Houston done, I drove back towards Dallas to drop off the Bullitt and hop on a plane back to Chicago. I still had 200 miles of the rolling, pine-covered terrain of East Texas to cross before I was done but the thought that this was all coming to an end was inescapable. I contemplated turning west, abandoning my responsibilities so I could explore more of this wonderful state.

Even a thousand miles driven in Texas revealed only part of the story of the state and of the car. Texas isn't just cowboys, it's also astronauts and accountants. The Mustang Bullitt isn't just a film homage, it's a typically American car designed to atypically high standards. Though both owe some measure of their popularity to silver screen creation myths involving rogue lawmen and ruthless killers, limiting one's self to fulfilling these antiquated notions means sacrificing an unimaginably glorious and complex present. Lose the boots for some real driving shoes and toss the turtleneck in the trunk. It's Texas: It's too hot for a turtleneck.

Also see:
• 2008 Ford Mustang Bullitt, Part Three
• 2008 Ford Mustang Bullitt, Part Two

(Photos Copyright Matt Hardigree/Jalopnik)

Top Five Famous Police Chases:

#5: The French Connection
This one makes the cut for nothing else if not innovation. Hack Man wasn't even chasing a car in the French connection's most famous scene, indeed he was after an elevated train carrying the sniper who tried to gun him down. The brilliant use of hand held second person camera work and bumper cams while driving through thick traffic make this one a brass balls special.

#4: Smokey And the Bandit
How can you not credit a movie at least in-part responsible for the CB Radio renaissance? Of all the flicks on the list, this one is practically a shoo-in, considering it's an entire movie dedicated to evading the fuzz — with five major chase scenes as a result. If you don't want to grow a mustache after watching this movie, you might be a communist.

#3: Blues Brothers
This icon of American college cinema is both brilliant in it's scope and magical in its wanton destruction.

#2: Bullitt
Bullitt is a much-lauded car chase wrapped in a gritty, 60's era cop drama. The epic battle between Mustang and Charger has been committed to memory for a great many car dorks. Hell, it even got us all together for a night out in Highland Park. The only thing holding this one back is the well documented, and well loved, inconsistencies in it's production. Some love it for those post production snafu's while other call it shoddy attention to detail. we just love all that tire squealing goodness topped with a dollop of burning bad guy.

#1: Gone In Sixty Seconds
There's something to be said about a flick which is basically a flimsy plot used to frame the scene for a forty minute police chase. Our hero dons the miter of the original Eleanor, a 1973 Ford Mustang Mach 1, which is used to evade, confound, embarrass and destroy an entire squad's worth of patrol cars. We've selected our favorite clip of the movie, the dirty, dusty construction chase. Today it would be a brilliant product placement opportunity for Fram air filters. In our opinion, this is both brilliantly executed and fiendishly simple, a hallmark of excellent chase-making.

Five Great Chases That Aren't As Obvious

#5: Beverly Hills Cop
The level of destructive power in a twin-trailer semi truck is hard to imagine until you see this cab-over ploughing through the streets of Detroit circa 1984. Huge props for actually filming on those streets (it was a dangerous place at the time) and even today we recognize some of the old mansions they drive past, though now they're rebuilt and occupied, instead of hollowed out drug dens. (Sorry about the long, foreign dubbed clip, it's amazingly hard piece of hosted film to find)

#4: The Bourne Identity
Take a Mini, some French Police in cars and on motorcycles, shake vigorously with a marked spy, and serve with a rousing soundtrack. The Bourne Identity is a good ride start to finish, but the chase sequence here made everyone's eyes pop when it first flitted cross the silver screen. Tight European streets, death defying dances through traffic and damn impressive driving make this one for the ages.

#3: Short Time
What's more dangerous than a cop with nothing to lose? One that gets rewarded if he dies on the job. Dabney Coleman plays a cop in this little known flick as a cop who thinks he's got a terminal illness, so he goes about attempting to kill himself off on the job, so his family gets a big fat pension and life insurance bonus. The ensuing suicidal police chase is both amusing and brilliantly filmed.

#2: The Seven-Ups
All right, fess up. In every police chase ever committed to film, a little (or even big) piece of you wanted to see the bad guys get away, to see the cop take the fall, and to see justice not served. Nothing quite says car chase like a giant Pontiac flying down the cramped streets of New York and actually getting air at times. Roy Scheider saddles up for a hair raising chase which end in an unexpected bone crushing finale.

#1: Dirty Mary Crazy Larry
This is the quintessential anti-hero police chase. Our robber heroes are chased over hill and dale by an angry back-country cop who can't quite chase down their bright green Dodge Charger, heck, even a helicopter can't stop em. Just as we think it's all over, random chance and poor driving habits snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

There's a spoiler delete option. It's just that it runs $3000, also deletes the foglights and front emblem, and only lets you get the car in Highland Green or Black.

Somehow, despite all the recent Dodge Challenger hype, Eleanor from the original Gone In 60 Seconds came in at #41, beating out the Kowalski's white Challenger from Vanishing Point at #43. An apparently more famous Mustang, the '68 390 GT from Bullitt listed at #25, though its co-star Charger was nowhere in sight. The pond-skipping Lambo from Speed Zone failed to secure a spot, but its predecessor from Cannonball Run earned #17, barely being beat by Bond's Lotus at #16. The righteous Bluesmobile earned the #11 spot. Sadly, it came as no surprise that Michael Delaney's Porsche 911 S, and our very own March Madness Champion, the Miura, were forgotten.
[RottenTomatoes]

We especially appreciate those who went out of their way and made up Wert-centric paraphernalia to display your command of auto-site-enthusiasm. Check out the gallery to see if you're famous, otherwise thanks for showing up and we hope to put together more events to amuse and entertain you slobs in the future. Also, if you pay attention in the galleries, there's room for dragon jokes.

So how are we going to know a J-Lop from a common schmo? Aside from you lucky few with "Save the Enzos" t-shirts and whatever psycho decides to put el Werto on a shirt or whatever, the easiest solution is to just go the AA way - name tags. We'll have 'em or you can bring your own cleverly sarcastic version. I'm going to head over to the all volunteer staffed theater (and thus only open part time) this evening and make sure we've got things straight for all you hooligans tomorrow. We'll probably have a "Jalopnik" section if we can swing it. Make sure you bring your $4 cause we're sure the nonprofit theater will appreciate the patronage. Not much else to say, we're looking forward to tomorrow and hope you guys are too.

The chase scene in Bullitt was unquestionably groundbreaking from a film-making standpoint. Which is great—but irrelevant for the purposes of this contest. What we're concerned about right now is what we think of that sinister Charger. Without the sheer evilness of the larger and darker Dodge, the Mustang driven by McQueen may have never really become all that big a deal. And while the Mustang has become a pop-culture icon through new Mustang "Bullitt" editions, the Charger has stayed true. Yes, there have been other black Chargers in prominent movie roles over the years, but they always seem to pay subtle homage to the original rather than trying to just cash in on the image. As for the action in the film? Well, the Mustang had to be modified just to keep up with the stock 440 cubic-inch Mopar mill. And who wouldn't want a car that can regenerate hubcaps? Watch closely and you should count a total of seven on the Dodge during the sequence. Sure, it has a vinyl roof and whitewall tires, but that just adds to the cool factor, like James Bond wearing a tuxedo. The most important thing to consider is that the Dodge went out in an explosive fireball, which is the proper way to go. Judge for yourself just how cool it is:

There have been a few Bluesmobiles over the history of the Blues Brothers franchise, but none really compare to the original '74 Dodge Monaco. I know exactly what's going through your head at this point, so let's all just recite Dan Aykroyd's famous lines together: "It's got a cop motor, a four hundred and forty cubic inch plant, it's got cop tires, cop suspension, cop shocks, it was a model made before catalytic converters, so it'll run good on regular gas..." Yes, the car and it's specs are well known. And rightfully so, since this was the cause of the most outrageous pileup ever filmed. But does that fame detract from the cool factor? Not really, because the Bluesmobile was never trying to be an action star. It was a comedian. In many ways, this car is the automotive equivalent of John Belushi; loud, absurd, a bit bruised up, and willing to do anything for a good laugh. Does that make it cool? Well jumping a drawbridge is always good for cool-points, but we'll let you be the judge:

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Okay, so doors open at 7 pm and the movie starts at 8 pm. Redford isn't the nicest town in Detroit — not terribly dangerous, but on the skeevy side. Rest assured though as the parking lots as seen below are guarded. You'll be treated to some really cool old-timey Chinese themed movie theater kitsch, so bring your camera if you're into that kind of thing. We'll be there early, but we haven't really figured out how we should identify ourselves as a group. Perhaps you all can come with something good, we'll run a reminder on Friday with some kind of scarlet letter to point out the nerdliness.

Yes indeed folks, just as if it were the old days, Bullitt will be shown in two parts in the very cool, very swank Redford Theater, and we're interested in a meet up. Bullitt will be showing in the Chinese theater themed house of movies on two days - March 15th and 16th, so we'll need to narrow things down a bit. The polls below are for two items of bidness. First we need to warn the theater of how many car nerds are interested in going, and second we need to know which day is better for the watching. It's easy to understand passing if you live far away, but if you're in the area there's really no excuse. Come on, they're running Daffy Duck and Porky Pig cartoons and will be wailing on one of two remaining pipe organs in the city during intermission, how can you pass?

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Most car guys have watched the legendary chase sequence in the movie Bullitt enough times to have it memorized, but have you ever tried driving it? Our guess is that if you tried it and succeeded, you must have an early copy of the Moller M200 because unfortunately the route is impossible. An intrepid Google user with the tag mthaeg has gone to the trouble of matching the movie to the roads of the bay area, and despite the greatness of the chase, it isn't based in reality. It seems the footage was filmed in nine different locations all over San Francisco. While this in no way diminishes the greatness of the 1968 Peter Yates classic, it does make recreating it with your own Mustang Bullitt and Charger SRT-8 that much more difficult. Click through for the map or go directly to to Google maps page for much more detail.

Ford has got it all wrong with the new Bullitt Mustang. It's tried to create a modern version of the original but, as I've just finished restoring one of the 1967 cars, I think I'm in a good position to judge. The new car is nothing like a modern GT 390 - it's much better.

Pat says it's all about the power:

"Using all of Ford Racing's tuning know-how, the Bullitt puts out 15bhp more than the standard car - bringing the total to 315bhp. It can also use more power, more of the time, thanks to some stouter suspension and some pretty fancy cross-braces under the bonnet."

"One feature it might have been an idea to update from the original - it can't be seen, so why not? - is the live rear axle. While drag race fans like this simpler set-up, an independent suspension would make the car handle better and more predictably. It's a bit more expensive - ah, that's why not - but it would probably be worth it."

Driving the latest iteration of the Bullitt was a great deal like driving the '67 Barracuda I pummeled for years around the bay area, except nicer and with a five-speed in place of the fusty old Torqueflite. Much nicer. The windows didn't whistle. It had AC. The interior didn't smell like horsehair furniture from ye olden days museum. We didn't even get lost thanks to onboard nav. The exhaust was legally more subdued, but still kicked out a great soundtrack. This music was so good that we didn't even turn on the radio or find the iPod full of period-correct hits in the center console. The volume control was underfoot. 3500 RPM to the rev limiter was the playlist. Each gear was a fresh new track.

Out from Fort Mason and past the Safeway famous for yuppie love, we hopped the back end of the Bullitt over the hill to Geary. The first reaction was to veer off planned course and head down to Red's Java Hut for a double-cheese, or maybe to Tosca for a coffee. Fighting the overall urge to drift down to what's left of the docks lost in some amalgam of San Francisco cop movies and television shows was tough for about five minutes. The Bullitt pointed anywhere would do just fine. Besides. Mike Stone and Inspector Keller rolled the Streets of San Francisco in a Galaxie, the vehicles had been supplied by Ford, and Dirty Harry drove a Plymouth. We'll wait until they re-issue the Fury for any down by the harbor this is my gun Clyde action.

Moving out Geary and through Golden Gate Park we hit the Great Highway in the shadow of the old Nike missile bunkers on our way to Pebble Beach. What fine golf courses have to do with TV-dinner-eating, hard-boiled San Francisco Lieutenants remains a mystery. We thought we were going to end up at what's left of the Thunderbolt Hotel out by the airport in San Mateo, or get holed up at some flophouse down by the Embarcadero. No luck and no matter. Thirty-nine years have changed the city of Detective Frank Bullitt. A 1968 Mustang fastback with a 390 and stick is well out of range of a police Lieutenant's budget these days. The Doggie Diners are gone, only the head remains. While murdering henchmen in knee-length trench coats might still be able to cough up the change for a black '68 Dodge Charger, authentic American muscle has climbed out of reach for many of its greatest fans.

This is where the Bullitt steps up. While retro is an obvious way to view the Bullitt, the appeal of a V8 channeling power through the rear wheels is a good thing now, was a good thing then, and will remain a good thing for a long time. The Ford Mustang nailed greatness the first time around. The Bullitt takes the timeless combination of V8 power and rear-wheel drive and rolls it into the present with an eye on the future. The Bullitt will be produced as a limited run in the factory performance tradition of the Hurst Hemi Dart and Pontiac Judge. The mechanical and visual parts that make the Bullitt what it is will be tightly controlled to prevent any cloning. This Mustang is a collectible performer off the showroom floor.

Out on the open road the Bullitt can either loaf along in a torque-induced V8 slumber, or attack into a higher awareness with a simple upshift and quick lead foot. The five-speed transmission is no swiss watch, but channels the very usable 315 horsepower to the wheels without drama. Rev matching and downshifting into corners made us appreciate that the Ford engineers tuned the exhaust to the original movie soundtrack and worked the suspension for balance with a strut tower bar bolted in for steady lines. The functional cold air intake helps with horsepower by feeding the engine cooler air, and adds to the exhaust soundtrack by way of an open element. We even mimicked a double clutch or two to complete the return to 1968 timeline illusion.

Somewhere on this same timeline Detroit lost track of what it does best. There was a time when even the Mustang name was to be applied to a Mazda-sourced front driver that eventually became known as the Ford Probe. With apologies to the Probe fans out there, we're all happy that never happened. The Mustang Bullitt slots between the GT and the GT500. A sleeper look hides a suspension compliant over city streets, yet competent during murderous-thug-evading maneuvers. The Bullitt champions the spirit of the underdog fighting the uncompromising fight against the man, just as Frank Bullitt triumphed over Chalmers in the movie itself.

Lt. Frank Bullitt: Look Chalmers. Let's understand each other. I don't like you.
Walter Chalmers: Come on now. Don't be naive Lieutenant. We both know how careers are made. Integrity is something you sell the public.
Lt. Frank Bullitt: You sell whatever you want, but don't sell it here tonight.
Walter Chalmers: Frank, we must all compromise.
Lt. Frank Bullitt: Bullshit. Get the hell out of here, now.

BUCKLE UP AND BRACE FOR ACTION, MCQUEEN FANS: MUSTANG BULLITT™ RACES TO THE STREETS IN 2008:

* More horses: Featuring the latest in Ford Racing Technology, Bullitt's 4.6-liter V-8 delivers 315 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque.
* Sport-tuned: Modified chassis and suspension improves an already competent and capable chassis to deliver the most balanced Mustang ever.
* Film-inspired: Dark Highland Green exterior paint calls back the original movie car, while a specially mastered DVD helped Ford engineers deliver an exhaust note that matches the film.
* Mustang magic: Bullitt is the latest in a line of special editions that keep Mustang news fresh. Plus, it delivers on the Mustang tradition of unique products that fit customers' individual preferences: a steed for every need.
* Bottom line: Bullitt carries on the Mustang tradition of affordable performance with a $31,075 Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP). A limited production run of 7,700 units is planned.

MUSTANG BULLITT WINS, KEEPS FANS 40 YEARS RUNNING

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 6 - 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 pos. 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 pace 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 pakes 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 pight-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 calipation 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 pake 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 pings 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:

* 3.73:1 Limited Slip Rear Axle
* Ford Racing Power Pack (cold air induction system)
* High Performance Calipation
* Performance Friction Carbon Metallic® front pake pads
* Ford Racing Strut Tower pace
* Sport -tuned suspension (shocks/springs/stabilizer bar)
* Modified "H" Pipe
* Dark Grey pake Calipers
* 18-inch Euro-Flange Bullitt Wheels with Charcoal Satin Finish
* 3.5-inch Packed Exhaust Tips
* Distinct Upper Grille
* Bullitt emblem on faux fuel cap
* Black interior with upgraded steering wheel
* Charcoal Black sport leather seats
* Unique IP finish (hand-machined aluminum swirl)
* Satin Aluminum interior accents (ball shifter/sill plate/pedal covers)

Standard content also includes:

* 4.6-liter 3-valve V-8 engine
* 5-speed manual transmission
* Auxiliary audio input jack
* One-touch up-down power windows
* Power mirrors and door locks
* Keyless entry
* Air conditioning
* Tilt steering wheel
* Speed control
* Rear window defroster
* Four-wheel power disc pakes
* Anti-lock paking System (ABS) with Traction Control
* Seat-mounted side air bags
* LATCH
* Personal Safety System®
* SecuriLock®
* Tire Pressure Monitoring System
* Shaker 500 Audio System with six-disc CD player, MP3 and eight speakers

Available options include:

* HID headlamps
* Shaker 1000 Audio System six-disc CD player, MP3 and 10 speakers
* SIRIUS satellite radio
* Ambient Lighting
* Active Anti-Theft System
* Wheel locking kits

The 2008 Mustang Bullitt will be built at Ford's Automotive Alliance Plant in Flat Rock, Mich. It goes on sale early next year. Press materials and visuals of the new 2008 Mustang Bullitt are available at www.media.ford.com.

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles in 200 markets across six continents. With about 260,000 employees and about 100 plants worldwide, the company's core and affiliated automotive pands include Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo and Mazda. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford's products, please visit www.fordvehicles.com.

A couple of years ago, we went on a secret mission in the Bay Area in an attempt to win back an old girlfriend. It ultimately did not pan out, but it did get us laid a couple more times, so we suppose that's something, depending on how one slices it. The soundtrack to said secret mission? None other than the Bullitt score. Now, one may think that this has little or nothing to do with cars, other than the fact that the movie contains what's widely considered the most influential chase ever committed to celluloid. But one would be wrong. If today's cars were as awesome as this movie's opening title sequence, we'd have nothing to write about. If there were any justice in this world, Lalo Schifrin's name would come right behind Steve McQueen's in the credits. Also, for extra Jalopnik points, watch for the '68 El Camino. – Davey G. Johnson

Related:
SF Sorrow: McQueen vs. Schwarzenbach, Charger vs. Mustang [Internal]

We were 99.99% sure Steve McQueen was the coolest man who ever lived before we watched this clip about his "commitment to reality." After viewing it, we are happy to report the 0.01% of doubt has been snubbed out. Basically, "...so that when we went by them at well over 100 mph, they knew what we were going to do and we knew what they were going to do." I mean, he even calls it "the ton mark." Damn man, just damn. Full clip of the greatest chase ever filmed after the jump. – Jonny LIeberman

Related:
Supercar Weekend: Steve McQueen's Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso Goes on the Block [Internal]

* FR Power Pack Estimated 312HP

* Shock/Strut Tuning

* Strut Tower Brace

* Upgraded Steering System

* Red Brake Calipers

* 3:73 Axle Ratio

* X-Pipe Exhaust w/Bright Exhaust Tips

* Unique Sport Seating

* Unique Sill Plate

* Bright Metal Trim & Unique Shifter

* Available In Highland Green Or Black

* Unique Grill V6 Style (w/o Fog Lamps)

* Rear Faux Gas Cap w/Bullitt Logo

* Cap Surround Painted Charcoal Gray

* 18″ Bullitt Style Wheel

* Red Brake Calipers

* $TBD MSRP

* Program Length: 6 Months

* Total Volume: 7,000 US, 700 Canada

* Allocation TBD

Related:
Mo' Money, Mo' Power: Steeda Boosts The Ford Mustang GT500 To 600 Hp!; Super Snake: Shelby To Create Bigger 'Stang With Longer Fangs and 725 Hp? [internal]

According to Mustang fan site StangsUnleashed.com, this is the new 4.6-liter DOHC V8 that will power the higher performance-spec Mustang, whether Bullitt or Mach 1. According to a site's source, the uprated mill will produce in range of 400 hp — naturally aspirated — when it debuts in mid-2008. The Bullitt/Mach 1 will also reportedly come with a suspension tuned by Ford Racing and far better brakes than the push-and-pray setup currently offered. Could that new road-racing series be far behind? – Mike Spinelli

2008 Bullitt Mustang Engine News [Stangsunleashed.com]

Related:
Barrett-Jackson: We Get A View Live From Stage, You See Shelby Give Away First-Born GT; Trans-Am Racing Could Make a Proper Comeback, Says C&D [internal]

Polls are open until the first of the year in Hot Rod's "Top Car Movie Ever" contest and while the contenders aren't exactly surprising in the earlier categories, it's rather shocking that the Gone in 60 Seconds remake beat out Ronin for the late-period nomination. We suppose Hot Rod's readership don't cotton much to them furrin cars. Unshockingly, American Graffiti and Bullitt are out front in the voting, but if Smokey and the Bandit doesn't win this thing, we're gonna go around smashing any and every Highland Green Mustang and piss-yellow/puke-green Deuce we can find. Save the Fords, friends. Alan Mulally will thank you. Vote Smokey, the film that Alfred Hitchcock once called his favorite guilty pleasure. Hal Needham for President! – Davey G. Johnson

Final Four Voting for the Top Car Movie Ever [Hot Rod]

Related:
11152006
Hot Rod Runs Down the 40 Best Car Flicks [Internal]

The magic Krucoff did the world a solid by posting Jawbreaker's magnificent "Kiss the Bottle" recently. There may be no better song that sums up our experiences in 1990s/early-Aughts San Francisco than this one. And for at least three of Los Jalops and probably roughly four readers, we know what it's like to bomb heartbroken through the City by the Bay — possibly inebrious — in a V8 musclecar. Likely with either Jawbreaker or Jets to Brazil on the stereo. Click through for the rudimentary-mashup deal.

Click here for the song. Let it load and then mash play for the video. We guarantee you will want an empty-stomach fifth of Dewar's for lunch, every one of your ex-girlfriends back and a car with an engine displacing between 390 and 440 cubic inches. And yes, we know the track doesn't match up to the film length-wise, but you can always loop the tune. Best served with headphones for maximum guitar hugeness and eight-pot growl. – Davey G. Johnson

Doped Up and Coasting Down the Hall [Krucoff.com]; "Kiss the Bottle" lyrics [The Complete Jawbreaker Homepage]

Related:
Bullitt Rally to Take Place in San Francisco [Internal]

You'd probably never think to relegate the dual between Steve McQueen and the Dodge Charger—driving hoods in "Bullitt" beneath any other car chase put to film. But then you remember — with help from Entertainment Weekly — why it's rightfully in second position. Two words: Popeye Doyle. [Thanks to pas Montreal for the tip.]

Hot Pursuits [Entertainment Weekly]

Related:
McQueen Exhibit Opens at the Petersen [internal]

Related:
Bullitt Rally to Take Place in San Francisco [internal]