2001 proved to be a very exciting year for Mustang aficionados. The 2001 Ford Mustang was available with a number of powerful engines and new trims. The best-known was probably the Bullitt Mustang, named after the 1968 Mustang GT driven by Steve McQueen when he played the detective who gave his last name to the movie "Bullitt."

The standard engine for 2001 was a 3.8-liter OHV V6, rated at 190 horsepower. The GT and Bullitt each had a 4.6-liter SOHC V8, rated at 260 and 265 horsepower, respectively, while the Cobra had a 4.6-liter DOHC V8 capable of 320 horsepower.