The Bullitt Mustang Brings Rev-Matched Downshifts To Europe

Earlier this year Ford made it official that the Bullitt Mustang would return in the 2019 model year. We recently learned that it would be a two-year run in North America, but it looks like even the specialty Mustangs are going international these days as the new Bullitt is headed for Europe.

To be part of launching the third-generation Mustang Bullitt here in Europe has been a special experience. — Chase McQueen

Steve McQueen’s grandchildren — Chase and Madison — revealed today at the Geneva Motor Show that European Bullitt production begins in June with availability later this year.

“At home we’re surrounded by memorabilia and reminders of our grandfather’s role in ‘Bullitt,’ and we’ve watched the film more times than I can remember, so to be part of launching the third-generation Mustang Bullitt here in Europe has been a special experience,” Chase McQueen said.

“This new Bullitt is my favorite Mustang — devoid of stripes, spoilers and badges,” said Darrell Behmer, Mustang chief designer. “It doesn’t need to scream about anything — it’s just cool.” What makes it even cooler is new rev-matching technology that raises the engine RPM to smooth downshifts.

As we know, the Bullitt features some understated signature appearance upgrades and is only available in Dark Highland Green or Shadow Black. Of course, it also features induction and tuning upgrades that push the output of its 5.0-liter engine to 475  horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque while expanding its top speed to 163 MPH.

The new Mustang Bullitt will pack a similar punch when it goes on sale this year. — Steven Armstrong, Ford

“Nothing captured the spirit and excitement of Mustang quite like that amazing car chase in ‘Bullitt’,” Steven Armstrong, group vice president and president, Europe Middle East and Africa, Ford Motor Company, said. “The new Mustang Bullitt will pack a similar punch when it goes on sale this year with more power, exciting new features like rev-matching and B&O PLAY audio, and — just like Steve McQueen — dripping with understated cool.”

While the mods are subtle, the latest Bullitt Mustang includes a number of unique touches from Bullitt badging and Recaro seats to a unique start-up screen for the digital dash and a classic white shift ball. Apparently it will have quite the special audio experience as well with a B&O Play system delivering 1,000 watts of audio power through 12 hi-po speakers

Yes, apparently the Bullitt has some cool tricks up its sleeve. Though it is only available with a manual transmission, this new driver’s car features some technology to make the most of those clutched shifts — rev-matching technology. It will blip the throttle on downshifts, which smoothes deceleration into a corner. That feature should make the Autobahn chase sequences a lot of fun, so you can add driving a Bullitt through Europe to your Mustang bucket list.

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About the author

Steve Turner

Steve Turner brings decades of passion and knowledge in the world of Ford performance, having covered it for over 20 years. From the swan song of the Fox Mustang to the birth of the Coyote, Steve had a front-row seat.
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