- Doors and Seats
2 doors, 4 seats
- Engine
5.0i, 8 cyl.
- Engine Power
345kW, 556Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (98) 12.5L/100KM
- Manufacturer
RWD
- Transmission
Manual
- Warranty
5 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
3/5 star (2017)
2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt review
If ever you wanted to absolutely imbue a bit of Steve McQueen cool, this is the ticket.
But places are limited. Restricted to just 700 examples in Australia the Mustang Bullitt is already close to sold out, and this has to go down as one of the classics.
- Crackling engine
- Old school cool
- Improved safety tech
- Lacks sports car agility
- No room for backseat passengers
- They're nearly all gone
Is it right for me?
There have been three Bullitt specials in the Mustang’s lifespan – in 2001, 2008, and now 2018. Of course, there was also the original 1968 GT390 green machine driven by McQueen’s character Frank Bullitt in the movie of the same year.
Like those previous models, his latest 50th anniversary model adds a bit of extra seasoning to the standard GT Fastback.
Can I afford it ?
It’s also more expensive, priced at $73,688 plus on-road costs (that’s $10,698 over the GT), but it comes with some slick gear that's normally a cost-option for the GT variant.
What do you get for your money?
The Bullitt sits on unique 19-inch Torq Thrust alloys wheels with black inserts and a thin chrome lip that matches the chrome grille and window surrounds. Despite sharing the same width as the standard GT alloys, the inserts and deep lip look a bit more old-school tough than newer designs. And the chrome pony badge upfront is gone, giving the impression of a deeper grille in the pointy snout.
Behind the black alloys are red six-piston Brembo brake callipers that project from the Dark Highland green paint, and as with the six-speed manual transmission, there is no option to change it. Finally, at the rear, is the pièce de résistance, a big fat faux Bullitt fuel filler cap straight from the original.
How much does it cost to maintain?
Service intervals are every 15,000km or 12 months, whichever comes first. The approximate cost of servicing over the first three years is $1300.
All vehicles come with a five year/unlimited kilometre warranty.
Is it well built?
Based on the latest Mustang there have been revisions underneath the skin to improve the car's performance and iron out any kinks.
Safety also gets a push forward after the Mustang scored a poor two-star ANCAP rating. It now has autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning with lane keeping assist and adaptive cruise control all as standard, but even still, the new Mustang only gains one more star from the Australasian new car assessment authority.
What are the Standout features?
The cue ball gearshift lever looks great and adds some character which suits the Mustang origins. The numbered plaque and Bullitt badges littered around also remind you that you're in something a bit more special. Not to mention the sound it makes.
What does it have that others don't?
Unlike its direct competitor in the Chevrolet Camaro that’s converted to right-hand drive by HSV, the Ford Mustang is the only US rear-wheel drive V8 sports car to land in Australia from the factory in Flat Rock, Detroit. This bumps the price down, and even the Bullitt edition that adds over $10,000 to the GT is still almost $10k less than the bow tie bruiser.
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How practical is it?
Sports car proportions take a toll inside and rear seat legroom is next to non-existent.
That said, the boot is a good 408-litres large which is more than many other coupes offer. And with the new driver assistant aids and MagneRide dampers, it's pretty easy to cruise through town with – including in traffic where the clutch isn't overly heavy and automatic hill hold assist takes over from the old way of doing a potentially clumsy handbrake start.
Is it comfortable?
The interior is tricked up with just a light spattering of attitude, but it feels right. Black leather Recaro seats sit upfront with electric adjustment, heating and ventilation, while subtle green stitching keeps it all sewn together.
Some of the switch gear and surfaces look good but aren’t so solid to touch, however, the 8.0-inch infotainment screen - like the 12-inch digital driver’s display - adds all the modern convenience you need. But it’s the cue ball gear shifter that really highlights the car’s feel.
Easy in, easy out?
The cabin sits low to the ground so there's some bending and squatting required to hop in, but the door swings out long and wide and a good amount of headspace around the cabin suits taller drivers.
Getting into the backseat is problematic as the seatbelt passes through a sash in the front seat that needs to be unbuckled, but the lack of room in the back means you probably won’t be inviting more than one friend anyway.
Space and versatility?
Truly American in proportion the Mustang isn't shy for room up front, and unlike svelte sports cars this is a brute with ample room on the centre console armrest, cup holders and storage littered everywhere and pockets for mobile devices.
What's the engine like?
Just like the exterior, the changes underneath the bonnet are subtle but effective.
Using the same 5.0-litre naturally-aspirated V8 engine as the new GT, the Bullitt pumps out only 6kW more power and the same amount of torque. The peak outputs reach 345kW at 7000rpm and 556Nm at 4600rpm. It doesn’t read like a significant improvement, but a few key parts under the bonnet make all the difference to response and aural delight.
Taken from the Shelby GT350 – and keeping in theme with the original – are an Open Air Induction kit, 87mm throttle bodies and recalibrated powertrain control module with different mapping. The active exhaust system is also reworked to produce a greater racket, and it works a charm.
How much fuel does it consume?
Fuel consumption is a claimed 12.5l/100km on the government combined cycle, which, despite a power increase, is 0.5l/100km less than the GT.
Is it enjoyable to drive?
Driving the Bullitt is like putting on an old leather jacket.
Grip the knob, throw it in first, punch the accelerator and listen to a howling mechanical riot that’s amplified wonderfully through the exhaust right past 7000rpm. Lift off the accelerator as the throttle snaps shuts and a loud bark of overrun flies out of the exhaust.
Now if you’re on the right strip, it’s time to find second. The automatic rev-matching clutch works its magic here as it will blip the throttle just enough on both the up and downshift to incite a little extra drama from the snap, crackle and pop. (Not that McQueen would approve of the assistance.) And the six-speed is loads more fun than the 10-speed automatic, with tall ratios matched to the bent eight’s tremendous torque that’s smooth to engage and made all the better by the slick feel gearshift knob.
But the tall ratios puts first at 80km/h before you’ve hit second – 262km/h is the absolute limit – and if the traffic light grand prix is your thing then the drag mode and the ten-speed auto (that’s not available in Bullitt) will be better, as the engine needs to be high in the rev range to kick on when shifting.
However, it’ll easily spin up the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S rubber on the rear, whether in a straight line or going around bends, which you'll appreciate if you’re fan of the original movie.
The steering is however a little less playful, feeling the weight of the engine over the front axle on big corners but communicating with accuracy and feeling sharper than previous iterations of pony car. Like the brakes though, it’s pretty quick and sharp for a blast on the right track, and there’s certainly enough response to catch a rear-end that wants to move around in the wet like a dog wagging its tail.
As with the improvement to steering, the MagneRide dampers (standard for Bullitt) feel balanced in setup; planted and firm but with a pliable ride on bumpier surfaces.
Does it perform as you expect?
It’s a great level of refinement for what is a bruising muscle car; rich in character, unwiedlly at times and great fun to drive. Absolutely, this is what the Mustang is all about, the epitome of modern day muscle.