Silly name aside, the Dark Horse comes as the first all-new special edition Mustang since the Bullitt was first introduced in 2001. While nameplates like Mach 1 or GT500 carry a certain historical expectation from customers, explained R&T global director of design Joel Piaskowsk that the transition to the S650 generation opened a new opportunity for the Mustang team. More specifically, the new platform allowed the automaker to push the boundaries of what a Mustang can and should be.
“We talked about all the different series within the Mustang and felt like now was the right time to do something new,” Piaskowski told R&T. “We have a great heritage, but this just leaves the door open for future opportunities. That’s where we see that we understand our customer base and know that we want to attract a younger customer. We know the current customer very well and we have the GT that really resonates with that customer, but we think Dark Horse is that new entry that we really think brings a different customer to the mix. It’s much more focused on the track.” That focus on track readiness starts under the hood, where a familiar 5.0-liter Coyote V-8 engine, now in its fourth generation, resides. For Dark Horse, it’s packed with a ton of unique components aimed at improving performance, including a stiffer set of camshafts, as well as a forged crankshaft and connecting rod borrowed right from the outgoing GT500. Combined with a unique engine calibration, Dark Horse promises to deliver the largest amount of horsepower ever delivered by a 5.0L Coyote engine. Ford hasn’t given us an exact number, but we have an idea. At the unveiling event, Ed Krenz said Ford is targeting at least 500 horsepower. That powerful V-8 can be mated to either a 10-speed automatic or the Tremec-sourced six-speed manual offered on the Mach 1. The latter transmission is a welcome addition in this case, as its standard MT82 manual transmission Mustang has often been lamented for its lack of ability on the track. The Dark Horse team also wanted to celebrate manual customers by offering a shift knob inspired by the titanium exhaust found on the mid-engined GT supercar. The shifter itself is covered with a 3D printed piece of blue anodized titanium, which features a unique texture underneath to help cool the surface. While the next-generation S650 is indeed based heavily on the outgoing S550 chassis, Krenz noted that about 85 percent of the car is new. Automakers tend to use a different definition of that word than the rest of us, but Dark Horse specifically packs some chassis modifications for track use. Every Dark Horse Mustang is equipped with MagneRide shocks, which have been recalibrated for the S650. An auxiliary engine oil cooler, rear axle cooler and a lighter cooler work together to improve cooling capabilities. Opt for the Performance Package and you get further frame tuning adjustments, longer rear sway bars and a set of heavier-duty shocks up front. A strut tower brace and a unique K-bracket from Ford Performance help improve chassis handling and feedback. A Torsen rear differential keeps things tidy on corner exit, while 19-inch wheels wrapped in Pirelli P-Zero PZ4 tires work alongside a set of massive Brembo calipers. If you still need more capability, Ford will also offer the Track Package, which also brings a unique rear wing with an integrated Gurney wing. This aero package provides more power under the hood than any other new Mustang offered. Stiffer springs are also part of the package, as are upgraded sway bars front and rear, and Pirelli Trofeo tires. You can even specify a set of Carbon Revolution carbon wheels, marking the first time they’ve been offered on a non-Shelby model. “There’s a piece in this product about what are the best things from our previous Shelby’s that we can put together,” Krenz said. “It has always been one of our corporate strategies to develop the technology at the top of our vehicles and then scale it down and make it more affordable. That’s also why when you introduce a new series like Dark Horse, you want it to be at the top.” Some of those Shelby traits carry over into the Dark Horse’s styling, which is reminiscent of today’s GT500. The front end is much more horizontal than before, reflecting the boxy look of this 760bhp monster. The aero packages only push this family relationship further, as the front splitter and side skirts are almost reflective of the current offering. The combination of the rear diffuser and the black exhaust tip looks menacing and aims to indicate the performance that Dark Horse has to offer. As you’d expect, there’s plenty of unique Dark Horse badging around the vehicle, which features a ton of details we’ve yet to see on a Mustang. The same can be said for the Blue Ember metallic color, which shifts from a blue-gray to an amber-orange depending on the light. The effect is almost similar to that of the (in?)famous Mysichrome shade found on the SN95 generation of Mustangs, albeit a bit more mature in its execution.
Like every S650 Mustang, the Dark Horse features a much more tech-laden interior than before. That starts with the 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster and 13.2-inch center stack combo, which now run Ford’s Sync 4 infotainment system. This brings niceties like over-the-air updates and wireless CarPlay. The system is also powered by the Unreal 3D engine, which delivers a host of new on-screen graphics that look right at home in 2022. Dark trim pieces will replace the brighter units found in the rest of the range, while a 12-speaker B&O stereo plays the sounds. Blue stitching comes standard, while Deep Indigo Blue seats are part of the Dark Horse Appearance Pack.
Building on the track-focused nature of the Dark Horse, Ford will release two track-only variants of the trim known as the Dark Horse S and Dark Horse R. The S model gets a full FIA-certified roll cage, safety nets, a racing seat with seat belts and a quick-disconnect racing steering wheel. It also comes with a set of Multimatic DSSV dampers and Brembo Racing brakes. The Dark Horse R model is even more hardcore and includes all of the above, but will be mass-produced by Ford for use at appropriate motorsport events around the world. These cars also get some seam welding for added strength, as well as a racing fuel cell and Ford Performance wheels.
The Ford Mustang Dark Horse will arrive as the top pony car offering sometime next spring, as long as Ford is able to keep its supply chain woes under control. While pricing information has yet to be released, expect the Dark Horse to be priced above current Mach 1 offerings. We’ll learn more about pricing and actual performance metrics as the on-sale date approaches. Lucas Bell Born and raised in Metro Detroit, Associate Publisher Lucas Bell has spent his entire life surrounded by the automotive industry.