Thrill-seekers apply here. Hot Mustang, electric hypercar and modded McLaren debut. Words James Elliott.
Chad McQueen and McQueen Racing have announced the start of production of an official Steve McQueen Edition Bullitt Mustang. With only 300 set to be built a year, the cars will be a collaboration between the estate of Steve McQueen, Chad McQueen, McQueen Racing, Galpin Auto Sports and Steeda Autosports. Galpin and Steeda will do the US builds, with Steeda UK also covering Europe, and Mustang Motorsports supplying Australia.
The specced-up Mustang, available only in Highland Green (of course), will be available via Ford dealers. It will come with a choice of a naturally aspirated 500bhp engine or a supercharged one with 775bhp. Other features include McQueen Racing suspension, Steve McQueen Edition aluminium 20in wheels shod with Nitto NT555 G2 tyres, a Steve McQueen Edition rear plate numbered JJZ109 (echoing that of the movie car), plus a letter of authenticity. Also available is a four-point roll bar with rear- seat-delete kit and six-point harnesses.
Launching the car on 29 November, Chad McQueen said: ‘Ford’s Mustang has always been a big part of my dad’s legend.
I wanted to kick the already strong performance up several notches, without losing that essential style that makes this car so desirable.’
In other new-car news, Automobili Pininfarina has revealed new images of its PFO luxury electric hypercar, which is now to be called Battista. It has also confirmed an investment of more than €20 million in a new co-operation with Pininfarina SpA and has started showcasing the PFO prototype in Europe, the Munich-based company plans a range of cars, starting with the Battista which will be launched at the Geneva Motor Show in 2019 and with production scheduled to start in 2020. The company is claiming a potential sub- two-second 0-62mph time and a 250mph top speed for the 1900bhp hypercar.
Meanwhile, German ‘luxury car refinement specialist’ Novitec has announced it will produce 15 modified McLaren 720Ss a year, the N-LARGO has a widened carbonfibre body and a power increase to 806bhp for the four-litre, twin- turbo V8. In a similar vein, Arden will be offering the AJ 23 SVR, a Jaguar F-type-based car with a claimed 703bhp.
Clockwise from top: Chad McQueen is endorsing special Mustang; Pininfarina Battista goes live in 2020; Novitec has beefed up McLaren’s 720S.
