Monday 13th August 2018

Mustang Bullitt Edition gets the Steeda treatment

Tuner has extracted even more power and McQueen family approval from Ford's fastest 'stang. Want!

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Thought the new Ford Mustang Bullitt Edition was as cool as this 21^st century pony car could get? Think again. Because Chad McQueen – son of Hollywood legend Steve – has given a Steeda-tuned version his family seal of approval.

The new variant is called the Steve McQueen Edition and as such, it receives a host of upgrades to its chassis and engine that are supposedly catered to the tastes of Steve McQueen, star of the 1968 film Bullitt. It’s been co-develoed by esteemed ‘stang tuner Steeda, McQueen junior’s motorsport company, McQueen Racing, as well as tuning shop Galpin Auto Sports.

Building on the ‘standard’ Bullitt’s base, the McQueen car offers up to 800hp in its most potent form – a modest gain of 341hp – thanks to the use of forced induction of the supercharged kind. That trims the 0-60mph time to 3.4sec.

Those of us not endowed with a Steve McQueen-spec chest rug can opt for a naturally aspirated version that produces a still substantial 500hp.

Chassis modifications include new suspension that lowers the car by an inch (25.4mm to the rest of us) at the front and 1.5in (38.1mm) at the rear, welded in anti-roll bars and camber plates. The car sits on custom 20in wheels made by HRE to look like the original Bullitt ‘stang shoes that come wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S Tyres.

Just 300 examples of the McQueen car are being produced per year for a yet to be disclosed price – expect a hefty increase on the standad Bullitt’s £47,145. Not convinced? Thrown in with each car is a commemorative US licence plate numbered JJZ109, which is a nod to the original movie car. Take our money!

[Gecko1978]

in the UK how would these mods go down insurance an emmisions wise even legality. I recall in the past my old subaru had a road legal exhust that would never pass emissions test. Insurance was sorted via the its looks exactly the same no one will notice route and servicong all done by an indi.

I like the mustang alot and thought of 500bhp on the road appeals but I suspect it would be the same issues.

[unsprung]

a corollary to this news is that it's possible to do significant upgrades yourself and/or with a local performance shop

but you knew that already

of many UK-based Mustangs shared on PH, several have had affordable "bolt on" enhancements to suspension; although I don't believe that I'd want much more from the OEM suspension, I'm glad that the aftermarket opportunity is there

also... a supercharger can be had for around £6000; I like the idea of centrifugal (instead of positive displacement)

I don't wish to detract from the OEM Bullitt or this big name tuner shop upgrade; they're nice

however, it's also inspiring that similar levels of performance and character can be sorted by Joe Bloggs on a budget

[CaptainSensib1e]

Gecko1978 said:

in the UK how would these mods go down insurance an emmisions wise even legality. I recall in the past my old subaru had a road legal exhust that would never pass emissions test. Insurance was sorted via the its looks exactly the same no one will notice route and servicong all done by an indi.

I like the mustang alot and thought of 500bhp on the road appeals but I suspect it would be the same issues.

Many, many owners change the exhaust, fits suspension upgrades, and remap the engine for more power, with no issues getting insurance. Early cars will now be getting their first MOT, not heard of any issues so far with modified cars failing. In short, I don't think you'd have any issues.

[irocfan]

Gecko1978 said:

in the UK how would these mods go down insurance an emmisions wise even legality. I recall in the past my old subaru had a road legal exhust that would never pass emissions test. Insurance was sorted via the its looks exactly the same no one will notice route and servicong all done by an indi.

I like the mustang alot and thought of 500bhp on the road appeals but I suspect it would be the same issues.

Traditionally big Yank V8's are very good with emissions

[mcholeboy_59]

I don't get these cash In's... it's just a normal mustang with green paint and retro wheels isn't It?

[kambites]

Gecko1978 said:

in the UK how would these mods go down insurance an emmisions wise even legality.

Strictly any change to emissions control equipment (which by any reasonable measure has to include the ECU) is illegal in the UK so any remap is illegal... but in practice it isn't and never has been enforced.

[Gecko1978]

if i bought ime having had the impreza remapped and the massive improvement in driving experience i would look to do the same. Love the look an sound do who knows maybe one day i will take the plunge

[JMF894]

Gecko1978 said:

if i bought ime having had the impreza remapped and the massive improvement in driving experience i would look to do the same. Love the look an sound do who knows maybe one day i will take the plunge

[FN2TypeR]

That colour is fantastic IMO, the alloys are vile, however.

I really do like this generation of Mustang and they appear to be doing well sales wise; they aren't as rare a sight as I thought that they might be and a pleasing amount have the 5.0 badges on the side. (Hopefully they aren't from ebay ).

[Merc 450]

I love mine in race red cannot see the need for much more than 420 horses at the moment as it doesn't grip at all in the wet put your foot down with pirrelli P zeros and you get an embarrassing wheel spin and a shake of the tail before you shoot off giggling

[Merc 450]

FN2TypeR said:

That colour is fantastic IMO, the alloys are vile, however.

I really do like this generation of Mustang and they appear to be doing well sales wise; they aren't as rare a sight as I thought that they might be and a pleasing amount have the 5.0 badges on the side. (Hopefully they aren't from ebay ).

Mines a 5.0 GT and it's the only one in Penrith, love it

[Diesel Meister]

This generation is certainly desirable.

GT350 please!

[unsprung]

FN2TypeR said:

That colour is fantastic IMO, the alloys are vile, however.

that dark green is fabulous isn't it

but gotta say:

these black alloys with just a hint of brightwork look handsome to me -- at once contemporary and informed by the originals from the film

they look very similar to Torq-Thrust wheels typical of the 1960s

I dislike wheels that are overwrought, fully chromed, and so on; these Bullitt Edition wheels don't ring those alarms for me

maddening, that personal preference thing

[pirategaz]

I actually like the bullitt edition and don’t think it’s that bad value for money... it comes with the recaro interior which isn’t cheap along with host of other upgrades that if you add up prob wouldnt be far off the list price... and am sure will hold its value better.
But this version for sure will be extortionate and does feel like a a cheap cash in to me at least!

[croyde]

Merc 450 said:

I love mine in race red cannot see the need for much more than 420 horses at the moment as it doesn't grip at all in the wet put your foot down with pirrelli P zeros and you get an embarrassing wheel spin and a shake of the tail before you shoot off giggling

When I changed my worn PZero rears for Michelin Pilot Sports the change in grip and handling in the cold and wet was like night and day.

Best £400 quid ever spent on my Mustang GT.

[Merc 450]

croyde said:

Merc 450 said:

I love mine in race red cannot see the need for much more than 420 horses at the moment as it doesn't grip at all in the wet put your foot down with pirrelli P zeros and you get an embarrassing wheel spin and a shake of the tail before you shoot off giggling

When I changed my worn PZero rears for Michelin Pilot Sports the change in grip and handling in the cold and wet was like night and day.

Best £400 quid ever spent on my Mustang GT.

Thanks for that i'll try them when the time comes