Iconic Mustang Bullitt Returns! See the New Car Alongside Its Legendary Forebear [Video]

Ford dropped a big surprise at the North American International Auto Show: Meet the next-generation Mustang Bullitt

An iconic piece of film history has been resurrected for a modern generation. Specifically, Steve McQueen’s iconic 1968 film Bullitt. That film enshrined the then-fairly new Mustang marque in automotive history as it chased a Charger around the streets of San Francisco.

Now, on the 50th anniversary of that film, the Ford Mustang Bullitt has returned for 2019. Ford first sold a Mustang Bullitt in 2001, during the car’s fourth generation. It returned during the Mustang’s fifth generation as well, for 2008 and 2009. Ford brought this iconic nameplate back as a surprise during the North American International Auto Show, following the company’s reveals of the Edge ST and the Ranger.

Just like the last generation Bullitt, this version takes a minimalist approach, forgoing stripes, spoilers, or badges of other Mustang models. This special edition will only be available in Dark Highland Green or Shadow Black. It has a 5.0-liter V8 – same as the Mustang GT – putting out 475 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque. That means a top speed of 163 miles per hour – 8 MPH more than the regular Mustang GT.

Equipment

Apart from the exterior colors, you get plenty of other equipment with your Mustang Bullitt. An active valve performance exhaust system comes standard, with Black NitroPlate exhaust tips, designed to give that classic V8 rumble. An Open Air Induction System and intake manifold from the Shelby GT350 help bump up performance over a standard GT.

Other standard equipment on the Bullitt includes a heated steering wheel, the 12-inch digital instrument cluster we first saw in the GT, and the cue-ball shift knob for the six-speed manual transmission. Other tributes to the original Bullitt Mustang include special 19-inch aluminum wheels, red-painted Brembo brakes and the unique front grille.

If you want to spec up your Mustang Bullitt, you do have a few options. The Bullitt Electronics Package includes navigation, driver memory seats and mirrors, an upgraded sound system and Blind Spot Monitoring. As with other Mustangs, you can also equip the car with MagneRide suspension. Finally, you can get black Recaro leather seats. As if the car wasn’t already awesome enough.

2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt Photo Gallery [Photo Credit: Ford]