Rumor Mill: 2008 Bullitt Mustang Features and Specifications

Editorial by Sam Haymart

Internet chatter and leakage paints strong picture of 2008 Bullitt. Will it be enough?

05-16-07: When the 2008 Bullitt Mustang was announced last fall by Mark Fields, we would have thought that we would know more about the car by now. It was widely expected that the car would be unveiled at the New York Auto show, but instead we were shown yet another Shelby Mustang that most people won't be able to afford once the dealers rape and pillage the public.

Recently some unofficial information has surfaced on the internet that gives more insight into the coming special edition Bullitt Mustang. What we have seen and heard points away from rumors that have been out there for a while that the next Bullitt would have a naturally aspirated DOHC “cammer” engine pumping out 400 hp.

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Instead, the information that has been leaked this week shares a more pedestrian 310-315 hp version of the standard Mustang GT’s 4.6 liter 3-Valve engine. Just like the Shelby GT and Shelby GT-H, the Bullitt will have a Ford Racing type cold-air intake and a computer reflash to pick up the extra ponies.

In fact the rest of the list of features to be added to the 7700 special edition Bullitt Mustangs sounds suspiciously parallel to the 2007 Shelby GT. This will include a lowered suspension package with tighter tuning, a strut tower brace, up fitted exhaust and a number of other tweaks.

The Bullitt will be available in Highland Green or Black, with a host of exterior modifications to fit the character. These will include a plain jane grille, Bullitt identification emblems, a unique rear cap emblem and of course painted red brake calipers. The Bullitt will have 18” wheels too. Inside Bullitt aficionados will find the familiar accoutrements such as a special gear shift surround and a short throw shifter. Unique seats will also be added along with special Bullitt sill plates.

As mentioned above, most of the mechanical modifications will be virtually identical to that of the 2007 Shelby GT and GT-H Mustangs. This makes it highly likely that they will be built much in the same way by an outside up fitter such as Shelby Automobiles in Las Vegas, or in Michigan by Saleen or perhaps Roush. Our bet is that the Bullitt will be up fitted in Las Vegas, alongside the Shelby GT’s

In any case, the enthusiast body has expressed a mixed reaction to the news of the next Bullitt. The crew over at the IMBOC forums seems to be split. Some are embracing the continuation of the Bullitt nameplate while others feel that more of them dilutes the identity and perhaps the collectibility of their 2001 models.

What is universal is the slight disappointment that the Bullitt coming to a dealer near you isn’t something more than just another parts kit special. People have been hoping and expecting for something more. Granted there are a dozen or more fully and half baked Shelby Mustangs available now. Well okay maybe not a dozen, but it sure seems that way.

For the mainstream Mustang budgets, Ford seems to be in a rut lately of delivering nothing more than a lot of hype, stickers, and emblems for the Mustang enthusiasts.

Where’s the beef? If the information coming out about the Bullitt is true, Ford had better start doing better than aftermarket parts kit specials by 2009 or the Camaro and Challenger will be having a good breakfast.