Bullitt, other sports cars to be introduced at L.A. Auto Show
DEARBORN, Mich. -- Forty years after the legendary on-screen car chase, there's a new Mustang Bullitt ripping up the roadways.
Automakers typically promote their greenest vehicles in Los Angeles, but the show has no shortage of horsepower.
In addition to the Bullitt, Chrysler will introduce a street-legal version of its Dodge Viper SRT10 race car, while Hyundai Motor will take aim at the Mustang with the Genesis Coupe, a rear-wheel-drive concept. Lamborghini's Reventon — a $1.4 million super car whose 20 copies already are sold out — also will make its North American debut.
The Bullitt is the latest in a line of specialty Mustangs that Ford has brought out to keep the sports car fresh since the latest redesign hit the market in 2004.
Ford could use the boost.
Mustang sales were down 18% in the first 10 months of this year, according to Autodata. It's also facing looming competition on the retro front from the Dukes of Hazard -inspired Dodge Challenger, which hits showrooms this spring, and the redesigned Chevrolet Camaro, which comes out in 2009.
Ford will produce just 7,700 Bullitts, many of which likely will be snapped up by the car's legions of fans. The starting price is $31,075.
Ford designers reviewed the movie frame-by-frame as they built the new Bullitt, which comes in the dark green of the film as well as in black. There's a bright accent ring around the grille and no exterior badges or spoilers, just like the original. New to the Bullitt is a 4.6-liter V-8 engine with 315 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque.
"We think it's going to be a modern classic," said the Bullitt's chief designer, Doug Gaffka. "It's not exactly like the original, but it's the way you remember it."
Related Stories
ABC News Live