DETROIT MOTOR SHOW: Ford Mustang Bullitt returns

In 1968, Steve McQueen drove the Ford Mustang into the history books with one of the most iconic car chases scenes ever made.

The movie was Bullitt, and 50 years on the 2018 Ford Mustang Bullitt has returned – and it could be headed to Australia.

Revealed to the world at a special event on the eve of this week's 2018 Detroit motor show, the new Ford Mustang Bullitt was introduced by Molly McQueen, the late Steve McQueen's granddaughter.

She explained how the new car was minimalist "just like my grandfather would have wanted".

The 5.0-litre V8-powered Ford Mustang Bullitt has been completely de-badged, there's no spoiler or stripes either.

It features a white cue-ball manual gear knob like the original, a new exhaust system, special 19-inch alloy wheels and more herbs than the regular Mustang GT -- "at least" 355kW according to Ford, a circa 40kW increase on the donor car. There are chrome highlights around the grille and a Bullitt logo on the fuel cap.

Oh, and you can only order it in Dark Highland Green or Shadow Black.

After revealing the car, Molly McQueen showed a short video revealing one of the original two cars used in the Bullitt movie, which was until now thought  to be a goner. Then the original 1968 Mustang GT was reunited with the new 2018 Mustang Bullitt on stage, with a few teary eyes.

Although the 10-minute car chase scene in Bullitt, filmed on the hilly streets of San Francisco, is widely regarded as one of the best automobile scenes ever made, the rest of the movie was panned by critics.

But when it comes to car history, nostalgia is king. The classic 1968 Mustang GT now up for auction for around $4 million in the USA.

Closer to home, Ford has not ruled out selling the special-edition Mustang in Australia if demand is there. And yes, it will be significantly more affordable than $4 million.

Click here for our full coverage of the 2018 North American International Auto Show in Detroit