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The 2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt to us comes off as Ford’s effort to manufacture nostalgia. However, when it comes to vehicles, we tend to take an unbiased view mainly because we are all about cars and not movies.
One of the first things that came to our minds when we saw the Bullitt was that Ford had done something different. It is rare for us to say this but just thinking of the power built into this machine puts a smile on our faces. The true beast unveils itself when you push the Bullitt to over 7400 RPM, i.e., redline it. Sure, the engine hums and roars perfectly at 4000 RPM, but only a growing V8 beats a purring one. By the time you reach 5500, that’s when the real power of the engine starts kicking in, and beyond 6000, the latest Coyote 5.0-liter V8 starts to show its true colors. The 480-horsepower engine is capable of delivering 420 lb-ft of torque highlighting the fact that this vehicle is all about speed. However, as we soon learned during our time with the Bullitt, there is more!
Driving Pleasure
Eight years ago, we had the opportunity to drive around in the Mustang GT which delivered 300 hp. Fast-forward to yesterday and we were driving the Bullitt delivering a whopping 480 hp even without forced induction. The Bullitt is willing to rev, it is a rev-happy motor, and the more you push it, the more it gives in return. The sound is downright brilliant; it’s punchy, macho and deep. The exhaust blasts are a true experience, unlike the digital ones you hear coming out of the latest Porsches.
The Bullitt is designed and built for drivers but it needs someone who is daring enough to push the vehicle to its very limits. Not everyone can do that. If you catch it in high gear in anything under 4k RPM, the engine feels soft. Unlike the Camaro SS, the Bullitt will not growl and grunt at low engine speeds. Instead, you’ll get more power out of the Bullitt than the Camaro SS, but only when it is fully unleashed.
Unlike the Mustang GT, the Bullitt does not have a sound tube hooked up to the engine, which pumps the engine hum into the cabin. Instead, the Bullitt relies on a newly recalibrated and engineered active exhaust, and the natural flow of sound to ensure that you enjoy the full brunt of this engine.
Also onboard is the single transmission with a six-speed manual coupled with a rev-matching system – something that the Bullitt shares with all manual GTs in 2019. The manual gear is smooth, it snaps off to a great start, and the shifting never lets you down if you don’t get it right. Third gear takes you up to 110mph, and that’s where you’ll start to see the Bullitt shine with excellent braking and precise steering. All that’s needed from the driver are deliberately small inputs. The six-piston Brembo brakes are part of the standard package, and they can take a great deal of beating on the road too while still delivering excellent stopping power.
Driving Comfort
The Bullitt comes with an option of what Ford likes to call a Magnetic Ride suspension; we strongly recommend buyers to get this feature. We honestly thought it was standard but as we later found out, it was not. The suspension significantly improves the ride quality and handling of the Bullitt on all types of terrain. It also manages to damper most of the road noise. If you ask us, the Mag Ride coupled with the Racing Sports springs are a must have should you want to get the best handling and enjoy unsurpassed comfort.
The one thing we couldn’t help but notice is that the seats are pretty high. The vehicle we drove came with heated and cooled seats; we even tried the one with Recaros. Both of the seats were around 3 inches higher than they should have been in our opinion. While it does not hinder even the tallest amongst us to sit comfortably in the vehicle, we still couldn’t figure out why the seats were high. If anything, it gives you the feeling of sitting on the roof the car and not in the cockpit. The upside though is you can see a lot more of the road ahead.
Final Verdict
We know that many people may not be able to relate to the movie of the same name. Also, many people reading this review were probably not born when the film was released in cinemas. However, nostalgia aside the 2019 Ford Mustang Bullitt is a solid performer. It offers incredible value for money. Arguably today, it provides better value than it ever did before. If you line up all the previous models of the Mustang in a drag race, it is fair to say that the 2019 Bullitt will smoke them easily. You don’t need to bother with nostalgia to have fun with the well-designed, rev-happy Bullitt. Though it wouldn’t hurt to watch the movie!
Additional Details
Car Make: FordCar Make: Mustang Bullitt