2026 Mustang Dark Horse SC - Official Specs, Photos, Videos

[Katastrophe]

I don't think so. Has everyone forgotten about the FP800S already? Factor that into the equation and you might just blow your mind.

I don't see this coming down to an HP war among the trim lines. There are so many other parameters that distinguish between the GT-500 and the DH SC and the GTD not to mention all the other ~800HP class derivatives. And frankly it is quite silly to be hung up on that number alone anyway as a barometer of performance. Porche 911 GT3 RS anyone?

The FP800S IS a Ford Racing supercharger kit (Whipple), plus a few bolt-ons and stickers from the parts catalogue. It's a rolling advertisement basically. A really cool one, but not one you can buy as a complete package.

By comparison, if you don't think HP between the various models and internal battles don't exist within Ford, why wouldn't they just tell us all at this point that the DH SC makes 815hp? It's the SAME engine as the GTD...which was the SAME engine as the previous GT500.

Could it be a few ponies off here or there because of intake or exhaust routing? Sure...but even still. That's egg on the face for GTD buyers. Buy a car that costs $500k with 815hp or buy one that's going to be about 1/5th of the price with the same engine. You think buyers are going to be OK with that? I don't think so.

EDIT: While I agree with the 911 GT3 RS being the original metric Ford was shooting after...guess which other American manufacturer came out and slapped everyone around with the best bang/buck in the history of the automobile?

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[Twizzty]

How many hours on the street do you have with the Tremec DCT behind a Predator engine?

About 6 hours total on the street, 3 hours to and from the track day I took it to and then 5 x 30 min sessions at the track. At the track the power was glorious, the weight was noticeable but manageable and on the street I was bored.

That admittedly is a small sample size compared to the 37 track days and 38k miles I've put on my current track car in the last 4 years but it's something I guess.

 

[Katastrophe]

Would you take the 5.4 with no warranty? Seriously you do not put a race engine in a car warrantied for 50k miles. You also are not going to eat the cost to get a race engine 50 state emissions certified.

They did it with the Ford GT. They went to Le Mans and won their class. Then slapped a number plate on it and sold it for road use. It can be done.

 

[Bikeman315]

They did it with the Ford GT. They went to Le Mans and won their class. Then slapped a number plate on it and sold it for road use. It can be done.

Hardly a fair comparison. A highly limited $500K supercar vs. a $100K production vehicle. Besides other than the size of the block do you really think they put a 24 hour race ready engine in a street car?

 

[Katastrophe]

Hardly a fair comparison. A highly limited $500K supercar vs. a $100K production vehicle. Besides other than the size of the block do you really think they put a 24 hour race ready engine in a street car?

It was an extremely fair comparison because the car in question was the GTD, not the DH SC.

EDIT: In addition to that, the race engine was detuned and LESS powerful than the street version because of BOP and other race series rules/regs.

EDIT2: For the sake of clarity, Rated R and myself (among many others), wanted to see a 5.4 in the GTD originally. This would have made the connection to race car - street car undeniable. Race on Sunday, sell on Monday type of thing. Think Mustang GT3 with a license plate. Or even Aussie Supercars Mustang with a license plate.

5.2L ALUMINATOR 5.2 XS CRATE ENGINE| Part Details for M-6007-A52XS | Ford Performance Parts

This engine has been around for quite some time, for example and even I wouldn't have minded if it was in the GTD weighing roughly 3,300lbs. Anyway, doesn't matter...GTD is solidified and it is what it is. However, it doesn't mean Ford can't figure out how to slap this bad boy into a light-weight production Mustang...

 

[LouG]

The only reason I may be interested to this, is if it'll ever come to Europe (here you can't have either of the other specs, neither from the previous gen), so I can finally have a SC Mustang coming from the factory with all the related warranty (we're not in the US... here having the official warranty with the official dealers/shops is a must).
But I know that this isn't going to happen (due to the EU regulations... same has happened with the 350 and 500), so I will switch to Porsche.

*Gasp* you're going to sit on the porch while we drive around in Mustangs?

 

[LouG]

Here's a thought, Ford release the GTD, a real track focussed beast that's actually useful on the street.
Everybody complains about the price. Then they announce GTD lite with some of the GTD goodness at, say, half the price.
It's a conspiracy, I tell ya.

 

[npole]

*Gasp* you're going to sit on the porch while we drive around in Mustangs?

When i changed my BEAUTIFUL Bullitt, i was going to buy a GTS (yeah.. another car.. another price.. another everything..), then a DH popped up and I changed my mind (not just because of the fair price difference.. but usability..) but that woodworm never left my brain, so I started to look again.. and only another Mustang with "something more" can appease this desire.. for how long, I don't know.

 

[LouG]

When i changed my BEAUTIFUL Bullitt, i was going to buy a GTS (yeah.. another car.. another price.. another everything..), then a DH popped up and I changed my mind (not just because of the fair price difference.. but usability..) but that woodworm never left my brain, so I started to look again.. and only another Mustang with "something more" can appease this desire.. for how long, I don't know.

GTS What?

 

[Upacurb]

About 6 hours total on the street, 3 hours to and from the track day I took it to and then 5 x 30 min sessions at the track. At the track the power was glorious, the weight was noticeable but manageable and on the street I was bored.

That admittedly is a small sample size compared to the 37 track days and 38k miles I've put on my current track car in the last 4 years but it's something I guess.

I have about 2 to 3 hours street time in the GT500 and my opinion mirrors yours. Unless your driving at 9/10 or 10/10 it’s kind of boring and you can absolutely feel the extra weight on the nose of the car even when cruising…but the acceleration is impressive… but Tesla acceleration is impressive also and i

I could go out and buy a CFTP tomorrow if I wanted one…. but even my 13 year old daughter who was with me for a 30 minute drive told me she thought it accelerates like a roller coaster but is boring compared to my car …

 

[npole]

GTS What?

Ops.. we were talking about Porsches... 911 GTS.

 

[Ace]

But I know that this isn't going to happen (due to the EU regulations... same has happened with the 350 and 500), so I will switch to Porsche.

This has absolutely nothing to do with regulations. Chevy is selling the Z06 and E-Ray here without issues. You can buy a M5 with 700+hp without issues. Ford is selling the GTD in Europe too, not sure if has already shipped though. It's just Ford does not want to invest the money to do a homologation since they don't see it as profitable.

 

[Gojiras breath]

People are comparing this to gt500. Its gt350 merged with gt500. Straightline speed and corners. The big ugly front fascia seems set up to allow continous lap runs that are generally hard to do with a supercharged v8. Bigger oil coolers, very large intercooler opening, very large heat extraction in hood. That hood makes my DH stock extractor hood look stupid.
Add all the new aluminum suspension parts to save weight.

This thing is a gem. If it ends up being the fastest mustang ever produced i would not be surprised.

 

[Junkyard Dog]

What are the two things in the front with hoses leading to them? Intercooler pumps?

 

[R3G]

Getting rid of the heritage names that have made them immensely successful and kept them in business for 60+ years is the very reason they will become extinct..

You think? Dark Horse is pretty great IMHO, both the car and the nameplate. I think its great to do a new nameplate vs just recycling the same. From the video, looks like there will still be some heritage throwbacks but also new nameplates. Just let it sink in…Dark Horse SC. Its a great edition to the stable.

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