2008 Bullitt Mustang To Be Unveiled On November 13
October 26th, 2007 by CobraMatt
Ford is playing the role of Tease at this point with the recent artwork release of the 2008 Bullitt Mustang. Ford has put the public on notice saying the Bullitt Mustang will make it’s much anticipated debut at the Los Angeles International Auto Show on November 13th.
Is it just me or has there been so much hype about this one vehicle. Yes it’s a special limited edition but we have been down this road before with the 2001 model. We allready know the specs and they are very disapointing to say the least, so why all the hype. Let me know your thoughts in the comments.
steve Says
could it be anything to do with falling mustang sales?
Oct 26th, 2007 at 4:31 am
Dave Says
A lot of bling, a small performance improvement. Still no IRS, and the instrumentation still sucks with fake gauges. Not to mention how overweight the entire 2005 Mustangs are. My ‘01 Cobra is not afraid yet.
The new Camero/Challenger, with what has been revealed so far, are starting to look good to this Mustang fan. Rumors abound that they will both have a real suspension and GM tends to put in nice gauges that actually work (at least in the Corvette).
Oct 26th, 2007 at 9:34 am
Greg "Eights" Ates Says
Dave: Let’s check out the Bullitt equipment list to see just how much of “a lot of bling” as you call it is actually found on the Bullitt:
* Ford Racing Power Pack (cold air induction system) [This ain’t bling]
* High Performance Calibration [This ain’t bling]
* Performance Friction Carbon Metallic front brake pads [This ain’t bling]
* Ford Racing Strut Tower Brace [This ain’t bling]
* Serialization Label on Strut Tower Brace [This ain’t bling–this is the authentication that will get you ten times what you pay for it in 2038 at Barrett Jackson]
* Sport Tuned Suspension (shocks/springs/stabilizer bar) [This ain’t bling]
* Tire Inflation Kit provided in lieu Space-saver mini spare [This ain’t bling]
* Modified “H” Pipe [This ain’t bling]
* 3.73:1 Limited Slip Rear Axle [This ain’t bling]
* Dark Grey Brake Calipers [This ain’t bling–chromed calipers would be bling]
* 18″ Euro-Flange Bullitt Wheels w/Charcoal Satin Finish [This ain’t bling]
* 3½” Packed Exhaust Tips [This might actually border on bling]
* New Upper Grille w/o Fog Lamps or Pony Badge [This ain’t bling]
* Bullitt Emblem on Faux Fuel Cap [BLING!]
* Black Interior w/upgraded steering wheel [This ain’t bling]
* Sport Leather Seat Appearance [This ain’t bling]
* Unique IP Finish (gunmetal engine turn pattern) [This ain’t bling]
* Aluminum Interior Accents (ball shifter/sill plate/pedal covers) [I consider this bling–most do not]
* Includes spoiler delete/not available with GT spoiler [This ain’t bling]
* Available in Highland Green or Black exterior paint colors [This ain’t bling]
The Bullitt option package will only be available on a 2008 GT Premium Coupe with manual transmission. It will not be available with the 18″ chromed aluminum wheel option, nor a number of other options which include racing stripes. [This ain’t bling]
According to information that we previously recieved directly from Paul Randle, Mustang Chief nameplate engineer, the suspension changes are enormously significant and entirely change the nature and character of the car. [This ain’t bling]
“Fake gauges”??? What are you talking about?
What we have here is a failure to communicate. You read the equipment list and screech “bling” whereas the rest of us say “Ohhhhh, yeahhh!”
Sure, Mustangs are heavy compared to the Mustangs and the many Mustang imitations of yesteryear, but the current Mustang has a chassis that takes nearly 7500 pounds of force to twist it one inch over its entire length (roughly 15,000 newton meters per degree, I believe that is–or is it nearly 20,000? Scientists, help us out here.) Five star crash safety in frontal impacts, offset frontal impacts, and side impacts–and it ties for third from the best in collision rollover resistance (at 8%) of all cars for sale in the USA (the Mazda MX5 and the BMW Z4 are tied for best at 7% each and the Mazda RX8 ties the Mustang at 8%). All Mustangs come with P/S, P/B (4-wheel disks), five-speed manuals or automatics, great wheel & tire choices, radio, heater, A/C, radio/CD, one-touch windows, remote mirrors, optional leather, and a choice of 500 watts or 1,000 watts. The SOHC 3-valves-per-cylinder variable-intake-timing fuel-injected all-aluminum V8 comes standard with 300 HP on unleaded regular (the Bullitt likely requires premium unleaded).
The Bullitt improves on this with the desirable equipment given above. The only bling is that nasty faux fuel cap–would it take even ten minutes to remove it and put it in a shoebox for that Barrett Jackson auction in 2038?
And it’s gorgeous on top of all this!
Oct 29th, 2007 at 9:30 pm
Greg "Eights" Ates Says
I believe it’s “Dave” who posted the megabullshit above. Where’s the “lot of bling”, Dave? Have you ever read the Bullitt’s equipment list? Of course you haven’t. Here it is, for those who actually read the data before they post utter stupidity on websites:
* Ford Racing Power Pack (cold air induction system) [No bling here]
* High Performance Calibration [No bling here]
* Performance Friction Carbon Metallic front brake pads [No bling here]
* Ford Racing Strut Tower Brace [No bling here]
* Serialization Label on Strut Tower Brace [No bling here–just authentication that assures you’ll get ten times what you paid for your Bullitt at Barrett Jackson in 2038]
* Sport Tuned Suspension (shocks/springs/stabilizer bar) [No bling here]
* Tire Inflation Kit provided in lieu Space-saver mini spare [No bling here]
* Modified “H” Pipe [No bling here]
* 3.73:1 Limited Slip Rear Axle [No bling here]
* Dark Grey Brake Calipers [No bling here–chromed brake calipers would be bling]
* 18″ Euro-Flange Bullitt Wheels w/Charcoal Satin Finish [No bling here]
* 3½” Packed Exhaust Tips [No bling here]
* New Upper Grille w/o Fog Lamps or Pony Badge [No bling here]
* Bullitt Emblem on Faux Fuel Cap [This must be your so-called “lot of bling”. Will it take even ten minutes to remove it? Then save it for Barrett Jackson thirty years hence.]
* Black Interior w/upgraded steering wheel [No bling here]
* Sport Leather Seat Appearance [No bling here]
* Unique IP Finish (gunmetal engine turn pattern) [No bling here]
* Aluminum Interior Accents (ball shifter/sill plate/pedal covers) [The rest of your “lot of bling”, no doubt.]
* Includes spoiler delete/not available with GT spoiler [No bling here]
* Available in Highland Green or Black exterior paint colors [No bling here]
The Bullitt option package will only be available on a 2008 GT Premium Coupe with manual transmission. It will not be available with the 18″ chromed aluminum wheel option, nor a number of other options which include racing stripes. [No bling here]
According to information that we previously recieved directly from Paul Randle, Mustang Chief nameplate engineer, the suspension changes are enormously significant and entirely change the nature and character of the car. [No bling here]
These gauges aren’t fake. They’re real. They work. You should get those on your 2001 fixed.
Greg “Eights” Ates
Oct 30th, 2007 at 9:12 am
Dave Says
Yes, there is some performance content. But if bling is the description of something that is about the look with no/little performance improvement, then yes, there is a lot of bling here. (Bling is not just about chrome plated car keys!). To point out what could be considered fluff changes (or bling):
Performance friction pads? Eh, ok - perhaps some help. But is it a real improvement over stock pads and if so, why give the average GT owner crappy pads?
Serialization Label on Strut Tower Brace? Puullease. How much horsepower can a sticker provide?!
Sport Tuned Suspension - that EXACT same phrase is used from Civics to the V6 Mustang. Means NOTHING in this context.
Modified “H” Pipe - don’t know what this means. Perhaps a slight exhaust tuning is picking up a few horses - or changing the sound.
Tire Inflation Kit - means nothing (until you get a flat).
3.73:1 Limited Slip Rear Axle - the ONE SINGLE item that will produce more performance help than anything else on this list.
Dark Grey Brake Calipers. Who cares what color the calipers are? No performance improvement.
18″ Euro-Flange Bullitt Wheels w/Charcoal Satin Finish. Unless these are forged ultra light wheels, it’s just for the look.
3½” Packed Exhaust Tips. Looks only - but it may enhance the sound a bit.
New Upper Grille w/o Fog Lamps or Pony Badge. Whatever.
Bullitt Emblem on Faux Fuel Cap. Pure bling. Worth nothing.
Black Interior w/upgraded steering wheel. It’s the color of the interior! Whoo-hoo!
Sport Leather Seat Appearance. Not real leather mind you, just the Appearance of leather. Many prefer cloth anyway. This should be a stand alone option.
Unique IP Finish (gunmetal engine turn pattern). Bling.
Aluminum Interior Accents (ball shifter/sill plate/pedal covers). Looks only.
Includes spoiler delete/not available with GT spoiler. Thanks goodness for a spoiler delete option!
Available in Highland Green or Black exterior paint colors. Color choice - big deal.
Please understand where I’m coming from - this variation of the standard Mustang SHOULD have some visual cues that make it unique. (Hey, Ford, how about a return to amber turn signals?) But from what we know so far, there are far more visual changes than performance enhancements. Save the 3.73 rear end, it’s more about the looks than any real functional improvement. From this viewpoint, it’s a letdown.
SN195 models suffer from 3 basic flaws: the front suspension is a compromise strut instead of a proper SLA, the rear is 60’s tech with a live axle, and the car is too heavy. Though the structure is far better than the SN95, in many ways it’s no better (or a step backwards).
I would have hoped that the specialty variants of the Mustang would have addresses some of these issues. At least the ‘99-04 Cobras had an IRS (though it’s not as good as it could be).
And, yes, the gauges are fake (water, oil, volts). Has been a Ford trademark for YEARS. Oil pressure is a 5psi switch, for crying out loud. But not to worry - 5 pounds should be plenty at red line in that high G turn.
-Dave
Nov 1st, 2007 at 5:59 pm
Greg "Eights" Ates Says
Dave,
How did you manage to overlook the cold air induction system and the recalibration–items 1 and 2? These ain’t gonna get you a Top Fuel championship, but they improve the performance and they sho’ ain’t “a lot of bling”.
For those Bullitt owners with an eye for investment, the serialization label is precious–watch the resale price of a Bullitt with that certification label exceed and pull away from the Bullitts of those without the smarts to preserve that label carefully when their Bullitts go on the auction block at Barrett Jackson in 2038! It ain’t horsepower that this label provides–it’s cash!
The pads on the Mustang GT’s brakes are fine, and those on the Bullitt are better. We’re talking the Mustang theme here–affordable performance. You want a 300 HP two-door coupe with great looks, acceleration, handling, and braking for under $26,000 then you ain’t gonna get 6-pot Brembos on all four and a fifth Brembo braking the pinion shaft on the differential thrown in gratis. Tell us who else sells a 300 HP aluminum V8 two-door coupe with a 5-speed for under $26,000 in this country? Well, we’re waiting, WHO?
I mean, Ford should also drop in the Vanquish V12 as well for that price, right? Or the new 8,000 HP Boss 500 Top Fuel engine at no extra charge, huh? Sure they should–and you shouldn’t have to pay one cent more than you pay for the Mustang GT either! Mustang GT, Hell, you shouldn’t have to pay more than you pay for the V6 Mustang!
About the sport tuned suspension. Consider this:
“According to information that we previously recieved directly from Paul Randle, Mustang Chief nameplate engineer, the suspension changes are enormously significant and entirely change the nature and character of the car.”
Let’s see, who am I gonna believe: Dave or the Mustang Chief Nameplate Engineer. Hmmmm. This is a toughie. Gosh, Paul Randle is only the chief nameplate engineer, but Dave is a webhead. And BMWs use strut front suspensions, too. Decisions, decisions! I know this sounds crazy, but I’m gonna take Paul Randle at his word and wait to see what the roadtests say about the Bullitt’s handling…No offense, Dave, but I’m putting my money on Randle being more knowledgeable about this than you. But to be totally fair and impartial, I’m gonna bash Ford mightily for not also throwing in the suspension from an Audi R10 for under $26,000. I might could let Ford slide for not making the Vanquish V12 standard in all Mustangs for under $26,000, but failing to weld on the Audi R10’s suspension for under $26,000 is utterly unforgivable criminal neglect…Oh, and I’m also gonna bash Ford for painting the calipers gray instead of leaving them the faster OEM silver and I’m gonna open a can of whupass on Ford for not painting the calipers a vibrant transonic red. How ‘na Hell can you break the sound barrier for under $26,000 without red calipers???
Have you ever seen the movie “Bullitt”? Do you have any idea why the Bullitt Mustang will be offered in Highland Green instead of, say, Windveil Blue? Do you have any idea why the wheels will have a Charcoal/Satin finish instead of, say, polished or chromed? Why not just call every Mustang in every color a Bullitt? Or with any wheels from the catalog?
You just don’t get it.
Nov 2nd, 2007 at 2:25 pm
Dave Says
No offense taken Greg. It’s a perception difference as to what makes a good car. And the cold air induction system and the recalibration? Recal needed for the new rear ratio, and perhaps a touch of the mixture to accommodate the cold air. But the facts are that the HP improvement will be modest at best (15? 20? Even 20 is only about 7% increase over the base GT). The rear gear is the biggest improvement, which can be done a lot cheaper in the garage of anyone handy with tools. (I put in a 3.73 gear in my Cobra - made a big difference).
But the rest of the stuff is fluff that may only mean something to an owner who thinks they are getting some kind of future collectors car. Extremely unlikely even if the car is kept at near 0 miles for about 30 years! Cars should be driven, not stored.
I understand the cache of a ‘Bullitt’ with the movie and all. (That first ‘05 Mustang commercial with Steve McQueen was priceless!). But in the end, THIS car will be overhyped and overpriced.
Ford can, and should, do better. I would have preferred that the development funds be put into improving the car rather than just a better paint job and painted calipers. Heck, how about a manual trans that doesn’t shift like a truck? Or a decent gauge cluster? Some weight savings?
The ‘05 Mustang GT is a great performance bargain to be sure. But vehicle dynamics are still not the car’s strong suit with all the compromises. It’s being sold on 1/4 miles times and looks alone.
I want more for the Mustang then Ford has delivered. I really hope that the ‘10 addresses some of these issues - and with strong competition coming, they’d better. I love Mustangs, always have. But if Ford loses against those other cars then the Mustang could die (as it almost did in the mid 90’s). I don’t want that!
So, I insist on more. More REAL content, better driving dynamics, lower weight, less fluff.
If you want a Bullitt, get one! It’ll be a dandy car that will turn heads and it will be fun to drive (I’d be the first to give you a thumbs up!). I’m just pointing out why I (and others) are disappointed in what has been released so far.
-Dave
Nov 2nd, 2007 at 10:00 pm
2006 kid Says
an 01 cobra better be afraid of a new 3v at stock weight and probably doesnt wanna come to play once a cai and tune is aboard
Nov 26th, 2007 at 12:19 am