The flagship Ford Mustang GTD marked the storied American pony’s ascension to track-ready supercar, but there’s still room in the stable for a successor to the Mustang GT500, which was discontinued in 2022. Four years later, the supercharged 5.2-liter V8-powered torch has been passed.
The Ford Mustang Dark Horse SC (for supercharged) should approach the 815 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque figures that make the GTD the most extreme ‘Stang ever. As Road & Track points out, the Dark Horse is not a GT500 with a facelift—it gets the latest MagneRide dampers, assuring that it’s bested by only the GTD on a track. The five-mode Variable Traction Control was also pulled directly from the GTD, ensuring optimization for every type of track condition. It’s also available exclusively with a carefully calibrated seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, further adding to a lap-time-focused pedigree that’s competitive with European sports cars.
“The Mustang Dark Horse SC was developed by engineers who live their lives at racing circuits,” said chief engineer Arie Groeneveld, “and that track-first mentality is woven into every bolt and calibration of this car.”
An optional Track Pack elevates the Dark Horse SC’s limits with carbon fiber wheels and carbon ceramic brakes that shed 120 pounds. The racy upgrade’s new hood, carbon-fiber venting, revised fascia and underbody venting all benefited from the raw data collected as the Virginia International Raceway, where it was pitted against the Mustang GTD and Mustang GT3 race car. However, the ducktail-shaped decklid—designed specifically for the Dark Horse SC Track Pack—improves the rear wing’s efficiency by 10 percent without requiring a larger wing or higher angle of attack, both of which could impact rear visibility.
Compared to the naturally aspirated Dark Horse powered by a 5.0-liter Coyote V8 its grille opening is 65 percent larger and its aluminum hood helps produce 2.5 times more downforce. Inside, it gets the GTD’s leather-wrapped, flat-bottom steering wheel featuring a 12 o’clock stripe with integrated performance controls, surrounded by Alcantara and carbon-fiber accents. Optional Recaro leather and Dinamica sport seats are included in the Track Pack, which offers Space Gray or Teal accents and replaces the rear seats with a storage shelf.
Prices and exact specs weren’t revealed, but expect the Ford Mustang Dark Horse SC to start at $100,000.
