2008-2009 BULLITT The Bullitt is Back!

Set Your Dvr's...vcr's...motorweek

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Old Feb 28, 2008 | 04:16 PM
  #1  
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Set Your Dvr's...vcr's...motorweek

Episode Title: 2726/Ford Mustang Bullit
PBS Broadcast window begins February 29, 2008

Quick Listing:
Road Test: Trick 2008 Ford Mustang Bullit
Road Test: All-New 2008 Toyota Land Cruiser
Goss' Garage: Oily Tools
FYI: Guide To Smart Leasing
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Old Feb 28, 2008 | 06:26 PM
  #2  
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Thanks for the heads up.
I would have totally missed it.
NH public TV has it on at 5:30am on Thursday.
Now I can turn on a recorder before I go to work.
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Old Feb 28, 2008 | 06:41 PM
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PBS here in Massachusetts don't have it. Speed Channel does Friday 03/07 at 10:30am and 03/08 at 7am.
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Old Mar 2, 2008 | 07:58 PM
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Didn't catch the show. Was it worth trying to get a copy from PBS?
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Old Mar 8, 2008 | 02:18 AM
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No... Save your money. The article is located on MotorWeek's website, verbatim to the TV version. The only thing you're missing is seeing the **** get beat out of the test Bullitt on the road course in Georgia. Apparently my Bullitt was painted the incorrect color. I got Highland Green, not "Steve McQueen Green." Click on the link or read the article I pasted from MotorWeek's website below.

Edmunds also has a comparable review if you're looking review with video. Click here to see the Edmunds review.


The following information is from www.mpt.org/motorweek taken on 08MAR08
2008 Ford Mustang Bullitt
Program #2726
There are few cars as famous as the Ford Mustang driven by Steve McQueen in the 1968 film "Bullitt." That car became such an enduring automotive icon that Ford honored it by releasing a limited-edition Bullitt Mustang in 2001. It was a huge hit. So, now Ford is producing a sequel. This '08 Bullitt combines vintage style and modern performance in a package that's truly worthy of the Bullitt name.

Few variations of a car already known for its passionate fans has excited muscle-car fanciers like the 2008 Ford Mustang Bullitt. But then this second incarnation of Ford's limited-edition Bullitt replica is a lot closer to the original than the round we tested in 2001.

While the 2001 Bullitt was a flashy but very modern interpretation of Steve McQueen's movie hot rod, the 2008 Bullitt boasts a more stripped-down, back-to-basics character.
The retro lines of the current Mustang are as close to the 1968 model as you can get without hand beaten body work. And rather than tart it up, Ford designers followed a minimalist route, deleting trite touches like a rear spoiler and even the Mustang badge in the grille which is now a simple flat black honeycomb mouth.

The 5-spoke Euroflange alloy wheels with their dark grey finish, extended to the brake calipers, mimic those of the original movie car. But their modern 18-inch diameter allows the fitting of ZR-rated 235/50 performance tires.

Paint choices are limited to Steve McQueen green or optional black.

Bullitt badges appear on the faux tail end gas cap, door sills, and the thick rim steering wheel, borrowed from the current Shelby GT500. But the flashiest trim is the engine-turn finished alloy panel that dominates the dash.

Despite bright highlights, the cabin has a stark, down-to-business, leather trimmed atmosphere that's very 1960s, yet with 21st century amenities like Fords Shaker 500 or optional Shaker 1,000 audio systems.

But the real music comes from a packed and tuned stainless steel dual exhaust, which pumps out the greenhouse gases, from Ford's 4.6-liter single-cam 24-valve V8. Horsepower increases by 15 to 315, and torque by 5 pound-feet to 325, over the stock GT. You can thank the Ford Racing designed cold-air intake and recalibrated engine computer for that!

The gearbox also gets an upgrade to a heavy duty Tremec 5-speed, controlled by a Bullitt-exclusive shifter with a polished aluminum ball, while the live axle rear end gets 3.73 gearing, to help launch the Bullitt like, well, like a bullet, which on our clock means 0 to 60 in 5.1 seconds; two-tenths faster than the 1st generation Bullitt. But things even out by the end of the quarter-mile, with a final time of 13.7 seconds at 104 miles-per-hour.

The new rear end helps the new Bullitt launch harder, while the retuned V8 with its slightly higher 6,500 rpm redline revs faster through the gears which means a driver has to be quick on the shifter; a task made easier by its tight, sharp feel. The clutch also delivers plenty of feel, with smooth, progressive action. It is heavy however, a bit too heavy for regular use in stop-and-go traffic.

But rather than the traffic on the hills of San Francisco, our all-out driving environment was the flat's of Georgia's Roebling Road Raceway. A perfect set of curves to put the Bullitt's modified suspension to the test.

Firmer shocks and struts, plus a front strut tower brace for extra stiffness, gives the Bullitt a feel that is tighter and better balanced than the '01 Bullitt and the current GT. Steering feel is dead on even with moderate body roll.

That roll had little effect on lap times as the Bullitt's generous feedback and very progressive power delivery allowed us to hustle the corners at a healthy pace.
Braking feel and distances, a best of 128 feet from 60, were acceptable but not exceptional, despite the addition of exclusive front and rear pads borrowed from the GT500.

On open roads, the Bullitt's solid suspension was easily tight enough for brisk runs along back roads, but not harsh enough to hammer you over pot holes and on long treks.

Just don't leave too many miles between gas ups, as the thirsty Bullitt earns government fuel economy ratings of only 15 city/23 highway on premium grade and storms out of showrooms for $31,075, which parks it squarely between a loaded Mustang GT, and the Shelby GT500.

But you'll have an easier time getting the GT, since Ford is releasing only 7,700 copies of the Bullitt for all of North America in 2008.

So, the 1960s' coolest movie-star car rolls on in style. Forty years after the original, the 2008 Ford Mustang Bullitt proves that great automotive icons, just like great films, can live on forever.
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Old Mar 10, 2008 | 12:07 PM
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Did anyone else find the editing to be horrible? They even showed a guy in full race gear- not driving a Bullit (different shifter and wheel- who knows which car it was...) The morphing cuts and flames? OK the Charger blew up guys not Lt. Frank's car!

That thing sounded mean though...too bad they talked all over the soundtrack. I guess they didn't notice the GT500 type seats either.

While a much better car than say the stock GT- I was appalled by the brake-nose dive- that suspension needs a serious overhaul! I will have to visit Steeda.

Last edited by Jager; Apr 3, 2008 at 02:46 PM.
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Old Mar 13, 2008 | 07:51 PM
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I noticed the shot of the incorrect shifter too. It was a quick shot. It appeared to be a Saleen or Rousch shifter. The BULLITT did look a bit sloppy going around the track. It doesn't feel as sloppy as it looks.
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Old Mar 14, 2008 | 08:00 AM
  #8  
bar's Avatar
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I have it saved on my Tivo, and I'm almost 100% certain that shifter shot is of an '08 STi (buddy of mine just bought one, and when I rode in it, it looked to be the same shifter)...
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Old Mar 30, 2008 | 03:14 PM
  #9  
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I Tivo'ed this and have watched it about 15 times already.
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Old Mar 30, 2008 | 06:55 PM
  #10  
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I agree the suspension does feel kinda of sloopy, I guess because for the last 4 years I was driving a SVT Focus which makes my Bullitt look silly going around corners. I think I will be adding the Ford Racing suspension package.
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Old Mar 30, 2008 | 11:36 PM
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At least as of right now, the video segment is on the motorweek website. Just go to latest reviews in the tabs.
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Old Mar 30, 2008 | 11:50 PM
  #12  
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Originally Posted by Jager
...............

While a much better car than say the stock GT- I was appalled by the brake-nose dive- that suspension needs a serious overhaul! I will have to visit Steeda.
It doesn't. You don't have yours yet?
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Old Mar 30, 2008 | 11:53 PM
  #13  
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Originally Posted by newdy22
I noticed the shot of the incorrect shifter too. It was a quick shot. It appeared to be a Saleen or Rousch shifter. The BULLITT did look a bit sloppy going around the track. It doesn't feel as sloppy as it looks.
Yes that goes by quick. Who knows how it got in the scene.

But then Motorweek in their Challenger review also said that '70s Challengers were Body on frame.

The Bullitt doesn't feel 'sloppy' at all.
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Old Apr 6, 2008 | 08:22 AM
  #14  
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Apparently Motor Week reviewed the Mustang "Billitt", not the Bullitt.

http://www.mpt.org/motorweek/video/roadtests.shtml
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Old Apr 6, 2008 | 10:34 AM
  #15  
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Originally Posted by RCSignals
The Bullitt doesn't feel 'sloppy' at all.
True, when I compare it to my '05 and '06. But, when compared to other cars it might be. Mustangs have never really been known for their cornering ability as compared to other cars in general, but boy buddy can they fly off the line
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