The 1968 film icon “Bullitt” is 55 years old now, yet it still holds a certain reverence among muscle car fans. No, not for its plot line, which, let’s be honest, was a bit slow. Instead, the immortal 11-minute car chase between the understated 1968 Ford Mustang GT 390 and a properly sinister 1968 Dodge Charger R/T captured the attention of even modern-day car enthusiasts. Today, over half a century later, fans can still pit updated versions of those cars against each other, like the 2020 Ford Mustang Bullitt and the 2020 Dodge Charger R/T Scat Pack.
Was there a Dodge Charger in Bullitt?
In the 1968 cult film, “Bullitt,” Steve McQueen’s Frank Bullitt unapologetically slides a dark-green 1968 Ford Mustang GT 390 around San Francisco. However, in the famed 10-minute and 53-second car chase, a 1968 Dodge Charger R/T 440 ran from Bullitt’s GT 390. Of course, the black Charger’s screen time ended with a fiery conclusion.
The Charger was a fitting muscle car adversary for the green machine, with a sinister black aesthetic and instantly recognizable hideaway headlights. Since the automotive battle on San Francisco streets, the Dodge Charger evolved into a four-door sedan, ditching the two-door options.
However, the Charger has never been more potent, producing mass quantities of horsepower from a library of V8s. Better yet, Ford has produced three homages to the famous GT 390, culminating in the Dark Highland Green 2020 Ford Mustang Bullitt on the S550 platform.
What is the difference between a 2020 Mustang Bullitt and a GT?
The 2020 Ford Mustang Bullitt produces an extra 20 horsepower over the GT from its naturally aspirated 5.0L Coyote V8. The extra power is courtesy of performance tweaks to the Bullitt’s shared Coyote engine, like the standard intake manifold from the Shelby GT350 and a factory cold air intake (CAI).
Beyond a bump in power, the 2020 Ford Mustang Bullitt’s S550 platform rides on an independent rear suspension, a feature that the Mustang didn’t adopt until 2015. Pair the more agile handling with a standard six-speed manual transmission, and the Bullitt is one of the best pony cars in recent years. However, the closest descendent to the classic Charger R/T 440, the 485-horsepower Dodge Charger R/T Scat Pack, still manages to out-muscle the S550 Bullitt.
Is the 2020 Ford Mustang Bullitt faster than a 2020 Dodge Charger R/T Scat Pack?
Despite a lower curb weight, the 2020 Ford Mustang Bullitt can’t outpace the Dodge Charger R/T Scat Pack. The culprit is the Bullitt’s joyous yet solitary transmission option: a Getrag MT82 six-speed manual.
| Make and model | 0-60 mph | ¼ mile | Top Speed | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Ford Mustang Bullitt | 4.4 seconds | 12.6 seconds | 163 mph | 3,705 lbs |
| 2020 Dodge Charger R/T Scat Pack | 4.1 seconds | 12.4 seconds | 175 mph | 4,385 lbs |
While the Bullitt’s manual transmission makes it a more enthusiastic driver’s car than the hulking Mopar sedan, it can’t shift as fast as the Scat Pack’s eight-speed automatic unit. Moreover, the 2020 Ford Mustang Bullitt’s governor limits the Dark Highland Green homage car to 163 mph, per Car and Driver. As a result, the larger, heavier Charger will stretch an additional 12 mph beyond the green ‘Stang.
Is the 2020 Mustang Bullitt a good car?
The 2020 Ford Mustang Bullitt is a rare, subtle driver’s car. Better yet, the model’s driving dynamics and manual transmission make it much more enthusiastic than the GT.
The Bullitt might be slower than a comparable Dodge Charger R/T Scat Pack. However, the Bullitt, like Frank Bullitt’s classic GT 390, is an example of one of the finest Mustangs the Blue Oval has ever produced.
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