Ford fires off a Bullitt
HOLLYWOOD star Steve McQueen put Ford’s Mustang on the map in his classic 1968 film bullitt, featuring a nerve-tingling chase scene through the steep streets of San Francisco.
Launched just four years earlier, the Mustang is the epitome of the all-american muscle car. and I’ve just been behind the wheel of the latest incarnations — the Gt Fastback coupe and convertible — and they’re a real scream! rock ’n’ roll on four wheels.
the Mustang is also the world’s biggest-selling sports car. From £34,715 for the coupe and £39,815 for the cabriolet, you get a lot of bang for your buck.
the new version looks like a smart contemporary take on the original classic. and it has a loud and growling soundtrack from its exhaust. People hear it before they see it.
It marks a mid-life upgrade on the 2015 Mustang; leaner, faster and more user-friendly, but still a gas-guzzling beast of a vehicle.
I first drove the range-topping 5.0litre V8 convertible with an on-theroad price of £46,595. Linked to a slick ten-speed automatic gearbox, the mighty 450 brake horse-power engine propels it from rest to 62mph in 4.5seconds and on to a restricted top speed of 155mph.
It’s sure-footed and nimble on mountain roads and great fun to drive, especially in sport mode.
It has also boosted its euroNCaP safety rating to three stars (from just two) after adding extra safety features. and there’s a highly responsive six-speed manual version.
the interior is functional, comfortable and does the job. but it’s thirsty — its average 22.59mpg drops to 14.4mpg around town — and CO2 emissions are a whopping 279g/km.
Later this year, Ford is to sell an even more powerful, faster and expensive 480 bhp, 163mph special edition Mustang ‘bullitt’ with the support of McQueen’s family.