The seventh generation Ford Mustang is here and with it comes the whole pony car family. In addition to coupes and convertibles, EcoBoost and GT, there’s a new Dark Horse for 2024 that boosts performance with a projected 500 horsepower. It also has a bespoke six-speed manual, NACA lines, beefy Brembo brakes, and improved cooling. This road car joins two derivatives that omitted license plates: the Dark Horse S and Dark Horse R.
The Ford Mustang Dark Horse S is basically the official version of the road version and we’re told it’s designed for the “weekend track day enthusiast.” To reduce unnecessary weight, Blue Oval removed all non-essential parts and trimmed parts before adding a safety cage (FIA certified), racing seat and steering wheel, along with safety nets and fire suppression systems.
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The Mustang 2024 guise in the Dark Horse S was further modified by featuring a center panel that incorporates knobs and switches for the headlights, wipers, turn signals, rain lights and rear view mirror adjustments. Ford also installed a pit speed limiter and an optional front passenger seat. A data display and acquisition system is also part of the package, while the exterior gets hood pins, adjustable rear wing, front and rear tow hooks, and an upgraded exhaust.
Ford will install the same wheels you’d find on a road-legal Dark Horse, but with thicker brakes for added stopping power. Additionally, the S gets Multimatic DSSV dampers and the ability to adjust vehicle height and camber settings. Images of the Dark Horse S have not been provided by the Dearborn automaker.
Pictured at the very top of the page is the Mustang Dark Horse R, which has all the advantages of the S but features Ford Performance Parts wheels, fuel cells for greater reach, and bespoke seam welding. In addition, the R has a special serialization adapted to race cars as it is intended for actual racing whereas the S is more suited to weekend track toys.
No less than six racing Mustangs are being groomed for the S650 generation, including GT3 and GT4 derivatives as well as versions destined for NASCAR and NHRA Factory X. We’ll see a new generation in GT3 flavor at the prestigious Le Mans endurance race in 2024 at the Circuit de la Sarthe. .
