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Ford Mustang Bullitt Was More Popular Overseas Than In U.S.

The Ford Mustang Bullitt – built to honor the legendary machine driven by Steve McQueen in the movie of the same name – has appeared across three generations of Ford’s pony car – the SN95, S197, and S550. The very last S550 Ford Mustang Bullitt rolled off the assembly line in late 2020 after just two model years, at which point it was effectively replaced by the 2021 Mustang Mach 1. However, this distinct piece of Americana was also sold in Europe and other parts of the world, even making a few top speed runs on Germany’s Autobahn in the process. And oddly enough, Shelby and Mustang Brand Manager Jim Wallace recently revealed that it was actually more popular there than the U.S. in a recent interview with Ford Muscle.

“What’s really interesting is that we are beating the local competition, like German branded sports cars, in Germany,” Wallace said. “The Bullitt went over extremely well overseas. We sold more Bullitt editions in Germany and Australia than the USA.”

While the Mustang has long enjoyed tremendous popularity in places other than its home country, this news still comes as a bit of a surprise, given how the Bullitt – both the movie and the car it’s named after – is a distinctly American entity. Regardless, both are cool enough to resonate with a diverse array of fans across the globe, it seems.

The last-gen Bullitt followed the same formula as its predecessors, sporting Highland Green paint – though Shadow Black was also offered as an option. Additional exterior changes included black 19-inch five-spoke wheels, a spoiler and badge delete, chrome trim on the side windows and grille, and a faux gas cap. Inside, the S550 Bullitt featured a white shift knob, a digital instrument cluster with a unique Bullitt welcome screen, and a leather-trimmed interior with unique green accent stitching on the dashboard, door panels, center console, and seats.

The S550 Ford Mustang Bullitt is powered by an upgraded version of the Ford 5.0L V8 Coyote, which produces 480 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque and is mated exclusively to the MT82 six-speed manual transmission.

We’ll have more on the past and future of the Bullitt soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for more Ford Mustang news and non-stop Ford news coverage.

Brett's lost track of all the Fords he's owned over the years and how much he's spent modifying them, but his current money pits include an S550 Mustang and 13th gen F-150.

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Comments

  1. Kenneth mize

    I have a 2020 mustang GT , love it but wish I had the bullitt edition , I have had it at 155

    Reply
  2. Richard Jones

    Because here in the United states, the bullet Mustang look just like every other typical Mustang in this generation. Ford engineers needs to realize that if every Mustang look alike then there’s no reason to have a different addition, if the bullet Mustang looks just like your regular Mustang then what’s the point of buying the bullet?

    Reply
    1. Brandon

      That’s the point. It’s not meant to be a flashy, ‘hey look at me” mustang like a Shelby or a Mach 1. Just like the ’68 movie; it’s quiet and subtle like a ninja sniper. People who see the Bullitt either know what it is or simply think it’s a green Mustang. I love ’em! Can’t wait to see a 7th gen! Bullitt in 2025-26

      Reply
    2. Tim Christen

      No it doesn’t. I own one as well as a new GT. The Bullitt looks like a one of a kind vehicle. I get looks and comments daily, always about the color and the grille. This thing in person cannot be compared to anything.

      Reply
  3. Typhoon5000

    The S550 Bullet came with the Tremec 6-spd (shared with GT350 with different ratios), not the Getrag MT82.

    Reply
    1. Nauticalone

      Sorry but you’re wrong there. It should have had the Tremec, but didn’t! The 2021 S550 Mustang Mach 1 is the lowest trim with the Tremec, and also available 10 speed automatic.

      Reply
    2. Nick

      That is wrong. Even the article says that. Mach 1 has Tremec instead of MT-82.

      Reply
      1. Nick

        lol, beat me to it

        Reply

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