Ford Surprises with Mustang Dark Horse & Ford Performance Race Mustangs
The Mustang Dark Horse, the first new Mustang performance series in 21 years, is a next-gen Mach 1 “targeting 500 horsepower!”
What a day for Mustang fans! We were all at the edge of our seats already eagerly anticipating the release of the seventh-generation Mustang. We were pleased to learn it would come with the most powerful Coyote V8 ever and retain a manual transmission. It looks sharp and is loaded with technology. Overall, we were pleased with what we saw. But Ford was just getting started. The all-new Ford Mustang Dark Horse took the stage next. And this is not just a fancy appearance package. Oh no. This is the first new Mustang performance series in 21 years. It comes with the best performing 5.0L V8 ever, expecting to make 500 horsepower. It also has an optional Handling Package that will make it the most track-capable 5.0L Mustang in history. Giddy up.
Still not excited? Ford also rolled out SIX new racing Mustangs. These include the Mustang Dark Horse S and Dark Horse R track-only models. They will be joined by GT3, GT4, NASCAR and NHRA Factory X racing Mustangs. No wonder Ford called the Mustang reveal ‘The Stampede’ it has been a rush of high-performance Mustang news. Let’s catch our breath and take a closer look at the special Mustang models that were just revealed.
Dark Horse
This is a serious, and monumental Mustang. The Mustang Dark Horse is the first new performance name for the brand since Mustang Bullitt was introduced in 2001. It took a special team within Ford three years to develop this car. “For decades, Mustang has competed against the most premium brands on the greatest world stages and won,” said Jim Farley, CEO of Ford Motor Company. “We surprised everyone, and we’re going to surprise them again with a track-capable Mustang that puts a new level of performance, styling and American engineering in the hands of everyday customers who still want the thrill and excitement of a V8 sports car.”
Special V8
We all love the Coyote V8, and the one that will be under the hood of the Dark Horse will be extra special. It has been specially modified with piston connecting rods first seen in the Predator V8 from the GT500. The engine also includes a dual throttle-body intake design to improve engine breathing, accentuated by the open nostrils in the front grille. It is expected that this unit will produce 500 horsepower. For those keeping score that would make it more powerful than the V8 found in the C8 Corvette.
Chassis
More power is nice but that is not all the Dark Horse offers. The power is fed through a standard unique six-speed TREMEC manual transmission with special transmission oil cooler. The transmission is shifted via a standard 3D-printed titanium shift ball. The Dark Horse also comes with unique chassis tuning, larger rear sway bars and heavy-duty front shocks. “Stopping is courtesy of 19-inch Brembo front 6 piston brakes with 13.9-inch rotors. Steering response and grip is further enhanced with a new lightweight Ford Performance-designed strut tower brace and K-brace for even better handling and feedback from Mustang Dark Horse. Mustang Dark Horse puts the torque down without losing traction through a Torsen rear differential and standard Pirelli P ZERO tires with staggered fitting wheels.”
Special Handling
For the ultimate Dark Horse experience, you can opt for the optional Handling Package. The package includes a unique rear wing with a Gurney Flap. The package also includes stiffer springs, larger front and rear sway bars and wider Pirelli Trofeo tires and 19-inch-by-10.5-inch front and 19-inch-by-11-inch rear wheels. And if you really want to shave every last millisecond from your lap time you can opt for the lightweight carbon fiber wheels. It is the first time carbon fiber wheels are offered outside of the GT350 and GT500.
Interior
The Dark Horse has distinct styling inside and out. Starting inside you will notice a thicker flat-bottomed steering wheel wrapped in suede. It is finished with Bright Indigo Blue accent stitching. If you opt for the 10-speed auto you will get anodized silver paddle shifters. “The Mustang Dark Horse Appearance Pack adds Deep Indigo Blue seats with a unique seat perforation, emitting further hints of blue below the surface.” The Dark Horse also comes standard with the latest B&O Sound System.
Exterior
Striking is the best word we can think of to describe the look of the Dark Horse. “At the front, a bold, shadow graphic surrounds the darkened LED headlamps, which compliments a unique, gloss black grille with trapezoidal nostrils and Mustang Dark Horse-unique lower front bumper with high gloss ‘fangs.’ Lower side skirts and, to the rear, a fixed rear wing, new race-inspired diffuser and darkened quad exhaust tips demonstrate the car’s track-focused design cues.” There are also the special Dark Horse badges on the fenders, trunk, and door sills. “This is the first time for Mustang that we’ve ever had a forward-facing horse,” said Joel Piaskowski, global director, Ford Design. “It’s aggressive, a bit sinister and it’s coming from the shadows head-on to win.”
Let’s Go Racing
Mustang Dark Horse is part of a broader launch of six new racing Mustangs. These will compete globally in a variety of series, including GT3, GT4, NASCAR and NHRA Factory X racing. “We’re taking this all-new Mustang to competition racing and the very definition of a Dark Horse is the perfect fit to introduce this vehicle to the Mustang brand,” said Mark Rushbrook, global director, Ford Performance Motorsports. “With our race program development underway, we’re confident we have the right car for success.”
Racing Horses
“The Dark Horse S is built uniquely for motorsports as a stripped-down version of the street-legal Mustang Dark Horse production vehicle. All non-essential parts and trim pieces have been removed for Mustang Dark Horse S. Inside is a full FIA-certified safety cage, safety nets, a race seat with safety belts and a race steering wheel with quick disconnect. Other safety items include electrical disconnects and a fire suppression system.” More serious about your racing? Check out the Dark Horse R. “The Dark Horse R raises the track-focused intensity, featuring all Mustang Dark Horse S content, as well as special serialization that approves it for racing. It will come standard with strategic seam welding, a fuel cell for increased range, and Ford Performance Parts wheels.”
Ford Global Racing
“Ford is returning to factory-backed GT3 racing with an all-new Mustang GT3 IMSA race car that will also be available for customers, starting with 24 Hours of Daytona in 2024. Created by Ford Performance and Multimatic, the Ford Mustang GT3, powered by a 5.4-liter Coyote-based V8 engine, will deliver the full endurance racing potential of a Ford Mustang for customers globally. A new Mustang GT4 available for customers will also debut in the 2023 season and will be available for global GT4 classes in IMSA, SRO and FIA GT. A new version of the Mustang will debut next season in the Australian Supercars series, and in coming years newly designed models will debut in the NASCAR Cup series and NHRA Factory X racing.”
What a Day!
So, how about that for a new Mustang launch? We don’t think anyone could have hoped for much more out of this reveal. The S650 EcoBoost and GT cars look to be terrific. But the Dark Horse and related racing cars are really special. It is hard to believe that with Ford focusing so much on EVs lately that they would deliver us this V8 bounty. But we are not about to look a gift horse in the mouth.
Images: Ford
