Ford Australia confirms Mustang Bullitt details

Ford Australia has announced full details of the limited-edition Mustang Bullitt ahead of the local release of 700 examples from October.

First revealed at the 2018 Detroit motor show in January and then confirmed for Australia in March, the six-speed manual-only Mustang Bullitt will cost $73,688 plus on-road costs here.

That makes it just $10,698 pricier than the upgraded MY18 Mustang GT Fastback on which it’s based, although the former Mustang flagship is now $5500 more expensive than before at $62,990.

Also confirmed by Ford Australia today were the outputs of our Mustang Bullitt’s 5.0-litre naturally-aspirated V8.

At 345kW of power and 556Nm of torque, they’re 6kW/10Nm more than the standard MY18 Mustang GT (339kW/566Nm) and about the same as the European version (pictured).

But they’re also less than what Ford indicated at Detroit, where it promised “at least 475hp” (about 355kW). Since then the US-spec Mustang Bullitt has been confirmed to make 480hp (358kW) on 93-octane fuel.

Nevertheless, in the absence of the left-hand-drive-only Shelby GT350, GT350R, GT500 and Cobra Jet models, the Bullitt will be the most powerful factory Mustang ever sold in Australia.

As in the US, Ford says the extra power comes from an ‘Open Air induction system’ and intake manifold, 87mm throttle bodies, Ford Racing air filter and a power control module from the Shelby Mustang GT350.

The limited-edition Bullitt will also come with a host of cosmetic extras to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1968 Steve McQueen movie of the same name.

For starters, all 700 individually numbered Australian Bullitts will come exclusively with Dark Highland Green paint, matching the colour of 1968 Fastback that McQueen flogged around San Francisco in the film.

Shadow Black paint won’t be available here, as in the US and Europe, but gloss-black 19-inch Torq Thrust-style alloy wheels will contrast the red Brembo brake callipers.

There will be no lairy body stripes or even Mustang badges but instead a faux Bullitt fuel filler cap, under-bonnet Bullitt badging, Bullitt scuff plates, green-stitched dash and door trims, a stark-white cue-ball gearshift knob, unique stitched gearshifter boot and heated/cooled front seats.

The Recaro sports front seats pictured below will be a factory option.

As with the MY18 Mustang GT, standard equipment will include rev-matching, four-mode Active Valve Exhaust, individual drive and steering modes, and the MagneRide Damping System that’s becomes optional for the regular Mustang GT from July.

Also carrying over are standard MY18 features including Autonomous Emergency Braking, Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keep Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, automatic high-beam, auto-levelling headlights, reversing camera, 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster and SYNC3 8.0-inch touch-screen infotainment with Apple and Android phone compatibility.

The Bullitt tops a Mustang line-up that’s produced in Michigan and will enter the 2019 Virgin Australia Supercar Championship with DJR Team Penske and Tickford Racing.

Ford’s first global Mustang has been the world’s – and Australia’s -- best-selling sports car since its launch in 2015.

“Bullitt is the car chase of car chases, and we know that Australians are passionate about Mustang, so we’re pleased to have secured our own batch of this unique model,” said Ford Australia president and CEO, Graeme Whickman.

“It further builds on the Mustang story in this country as we respond to enthusiasm for even more choice, additional features and personalisation across the line-up.

“Australians are looking for Mustangs that really stand out, and Mustang Bullitt really makes a statement."