2008 Mustang Bullitt is Fueled by Nostalgia

Ford released the details about the 2008 Mustang Bullitt on Tuesday, exciting fans of the classic Mustang on which the 2008 redesign is based.  The classic car was featured in the movie Bullitt, and the new redesign stays very true to its roots.  “I was very impressed with the new Bullitt,” blogged Rich Ortlepp of the International Mustang Bullitt Owners Club.  “The look was stealthy.”

According to Edmonds Inside Line, “The 4.6-liter V8 in the Mustang Bullitt delivers 315 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 325 pound-feet of torque at 4,250 rpm. The redline has been hiked by 250 rpm to 6,500 with top-end speed increased to 151 mph. The engine is linked to a Tremec five-speed manual transmission. Performance features include a new cold-air intake that equates to more horsepower and torque. The Mustang Bullitt gets 3.5-inch chrome exhaust tips versus the 3.0-inch tips on the standard Mustang GT. The Bullitt also benefits from a modified chassis and suspension.”

Those specs are impressive, but they still don’t compete with some of the cars available for rent at DFW Elite Auto Rental.  Cars like the Ferrari F430, Lamborghini Gallardo, and Bentley GTC are available to members of the DFW Elite Car Club, participants in the DFW Drive Your Dream tour, and clients at DFW Elite Auto Rental.  While buying a 2008 Mustang Bullitt would set you back more than a little cash, the options offered by these businesses give you more variety and more value.

But the appeal of the 2008 Mustang Bullitt seems to be just as much about nostalgia as about performance.  Like the classic Mustang Bullitt, Edmonds Inside Line reports, “the 2008 Mustang Bullitt stands out because of its minimalist appearance. It lacks exterior badges, scoops or spoilers.”

“With the Mustang Bullitt GT, we have a lot of functional features that would make Steve McQueen and Lt. Frank Bullitt proud today,” says Jim O’Connor, President of Ford Division. “Bullitt has elevated the GT into an unforgettable car that enhances Ford’s performance reputation and builds on Mustang’s rich heritage that began with vehicle like the Mach 1, Boss 302 and the 428 Cobra Jet. We know people have an affinity for our trucks and SUVs. But we’re also looking to remind folks that Ford is putting the fun and romance back into driving cars.”

Kate Miller-Wilson is a freelance writer living in the Twin Cities.  Visit her website or email her for information about her freelance writing services.