2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse Is A Badass New Pony

• The Ford Mustang Dark Horse 2024 is the first of its kind. It’s track focused and based on the redesigned V-8 powered GT.
• The Dark Horse has an upgraded Coyote 5.0-liter V-8 that targets 500 horsepower and is paired with either a Tremec six-speed manual or a Ford 10-speed automatic.
• Along with distinct styling and a range of standard performance features, the Dark Horse is the only Mustang to have optional carbon fiber wheels and Pirelli P Zero Trofeo RS tires.

The Dark Horse is an entirely new breed of Mustang, devoid of any historical model lineage. Although based on the new seventh-generation Ford Mustang GT powered by a V-8, the Dark Horse is tougher out of the box, and was bred for racing, with standard performance features and exclusive track-focused options.

Think of the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse as the love child of the outgoing Mach 1 and Shelby variants, neither of which was offered for the redesigned Handlebar’s inaugural model year. Like Mach 1 before it, the Dark Horse is the most trackable Mustang that doesn’t have a Shelby badge. It also inherits parts from the Shelby GT350 and GT500, especially the lightweight carbon fiber wheels. This is the first time Ford will offer exotic rims on a non-Shelby Mustang, and it’s likely that they will still be quite expensive when they become available in the next model year.

Like the regular Mustang GT, the Dark Horse variant is only offered with the Ford Coyote 5.0 liter V-8. Not only is this the latest generation engine, which now features a dual throttle body supplied by dual air intakes, but the version in the Dark Horse is even more upgraded. It features forged internal components along with the connecting rods of the 760-hp supercharged 5.2-liter Predator V-8 GT500. It produces a projected 500 horsepower, and Ford says the Dark Horse’s engine is the most powerful naturally aspirated V-8 ever built. It’s paired with a standard Tremec six-speed manual (the GT model uses a different Getrag gearbox), and the shifters have custom 3D-printed titanium knobs. Ford’s 10-speed automatic is another option, and both transmissions drive the rear wheels via Torsen’s limited-slip diff.

Ed Krenz, Mustang nameplate chief engineer, said: Car and Driver that Dark Horse as a brand name had been around Ford for some time before it was chosen to christen the seventh generation Mustang. “With the S650, we knew we were going out of the gate with a feature car,” said Krenz.

While legacy model names such as the Boss, Bullitts, and Mach 1 were considered, one of the reasons the Dark Horse was chosen was because it represented the unexpected, which Krenz says played a role in the company’s assertion that some competitors were leaving the segment while Ford had—perhaps surprisingly—introduced. New Mustang.

Looks Threatening, Threatening

The name Dark Horse is also inspired by the dark, understated design of the model that should give off a sleep-type vibe, according to Krenz. However, we think the Mustang Dark Horse looks too threatening to qualify as a sleeper. Even compared to the regular GT model, which already has an aggressive mug, the Dark Horse goes a step further with a unique front end featuring a larger grille and open nostrils for better cooling. The smoky headlights and taillights also convey a spirited demeanor. Plus, the coupe’s body is adorned with unique aero bits such as the fixed rear wing and the signature Dark Horse badge on the front fender and decklid. The rear bumper also boasts a prominent diffuser and a four-pointed exhaust. Another way to identify a Dark Horse is with the exclusive Blue Ember metallic paint (pictured here), and Ford also offers applied or painted graphics in a variety of colors and designs.

Each Dark Horse uses MagneRide adaptive dampers that support 19-inch wheels mounted on Pirelli P Zero PZ4 summer tires. Standard rims are 9.5 inches wide at the front and 10.0 inches at the rear, but those widths are increased to 10.5 and 11.0 inches, respectively, with the optional Handling package featuring ultra-sticky Pirelli P Zero Trofeo RS rubber. . The package also includes stiffer springs, thicker front and rear sway bars, and a rear wing with Gurney covers for more downforce. Even without the Handling package, all Dark Horses have Brembo six-piston fixed front calipers that clamp down on the 13.9-inch rotor.

Indigo Blue

Inside, the Dark Horse benefits from the same redesigned, tech-centric cabin that debuted in other 2024 Mustangs. That means a digital dashboard that incorporates a 12.4-inch digital gauge cluster and a 13.2-inch touchscreen. The latter features the latest Sync 4 interface that has been re-polished specifically for the Mustang, and also received an over-the-air update. While the layout and interior features—such as the new electronic drift brakes that allow beginners to cosplay as Vaughn Gittin Jr.—are not unique to the Dark Horse, the interior accents are blue and the trim pieces are dark glossy metallic. Ford also offers an appearance package that adds Deep Indigo Blue seats with special perforations.

Ford hasn’t said how much the 2024 Mustang Dark Horse will cost yet, but we think it will start at around $60,000, which is a few thousand more expensive than the current Mach 1 2022 Mustang. We hope Dark Horse will go on sale sometime. next summer.