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

[roket]

Are you out of your mind or just dreaming? A DH now costs up to 88K. You won't be able to touch one of these new ones for less than 110k. that's with no options and NO ADM. 125 easy to start. better start looking at cheaper cars. this new one is obviously not for you.

i know it's not an official price, but according to the Ford guys running the area at Barrett-Jackson, the one on display is likely in the $150k range, and it's maxed out on options. the vehicle on display is VIN 1FA6P8GJ9T5550006. 970A with painted stripes, track package, 7yr connectivity, carbon fiber appearance package, all of it. using historical and current pricing, we can take a pretty good guess as to what costs what.

1. given that this is taking the place of the GT500, it's likely that it's going to have the hand painted stripes too, which were a $10,000 option. but even the Dark Horse painted stripes are an expensive $5500.
2. 7yr connectivity costs $745, plain and simple.
3. carbon fiber appearance package is likely expensive, but the pieces were not the type where a V is formed down the middle of the vehicle. let's say it's double the cost of the GT500's cf instrument panel option in today's money for ~$2500.
4. track special package is likely pretty expensive on account of the 3d printed titanium paddle shifters and dial shifter. so expensive, that if you needed to replace both of those, it would end up costing $16.6k for the steering wheel assembly and $3.2k for the shifter assembly, nearly $20k in parts. no idea how to price the package, though, but if i had to i would say $5000.
5. but that still leaves us around the $132k range, which is where the track package comes in. everything in it is not going to be cheap. the 2021 GT500 CFTP would cost about $23k in today's money, and that doesn't have the carbon ceramic brakes, which could easily add another $7000, for $30k.
6. then there's the government's mandatory Gas Guzzler Tax, and we'll use the GTD's $3700 tax since it's the same engine likely making similar power.
in the end, that's a estimated base price of $98k after destination and delivery, which is another $1995, and likely an "acquisition fee" from Ford which is another $700, so really base MSRP might start around $95k.

but at the end of the day, this is all just speculation, and the true pricing will come later

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[Tony Alonso]

Nice work on the pricing analysis, @roket! I saw it yesterday in person. It looks good!

I'm seriously contemplating one.

 

[Epiphany]

Thanks for the VIN Roket...

 

[GaryTheSnail]

According to the NHTSA Vin 1FA6P8GJ9T5550054 is also associated to the Dark Horse SC Along with ones ending in 0023, 0037, 0040, 0068, 0071, 0085, 0099, 0104, 0118, 0121, 0135, 0149 and 0152

 

[RebelMan]

Honestly...I'm not the best guy to talk to about the GTD.

The GTD is a statement product that wasn't built for anyone individual or class. It was built for one purpose and one purpose ONLY... Sub 7 second Nürburgring, which it did! That's it! Can't make that statement any plainer. Again, no GTD owner on the planet is going to give a rat's ass about another 800HP comparable Mustang, period.

The 99' Cobra fiasco is old news...I just disagree on that being remotely relevant at all, I'm sorry.

You clearly have never heard of the ole adage... “Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” The issue couldn't be more relevant.


You can disagree all you want but that doesn't make you right. Look at what you are saying...

As far as the ZR1 not being relevant, again...I'll disagree with you. It came out and completed it's mission. Not only that, but it slaps around some million dollar hypercars in the process. As a bonus, I don't have to rack up some "social media hero score" in order to buy one. I just show up. Plunk my cash down like anyone else and wait in line. Myself and others aren't out here FORCED to play corporate suck-up.

FORD NEVER set out to conquer the ZR1, NEVER!!! Yet all the Chevy fan boys or FORD haters are comparing the GTD against it. WHY? I'll tell you why, because the Camaro got its ass handed to it (AGAIN) and they have nothing else left to compare with, period.

The fact that the GTD is even being mentioned in the same discussion as the ZR1 is quite remarkable and flattering... to the GTD!

Anyway, if we disagree on the GTD, so be it. That car has come and gone from my mind. The only reason I brought it up with the DH SC is because of the obvious...it uses the same powerplant, with very similar hardware. Yes, the GTD has exotic and bespoke equipment that'll never be found on another roadgoing Mustang (that we know of), at least up to this point. I'm just simply saying, that an SC is most likely going to provide 90% of the on track performance that a GTD has, for about 1/3 or 1/4 of the price. That, in my opinion, is WAY too damn close.

Well, 90% his highly speculative. Are you familiar with the Law of Diminishing Returns? That's what we have here. It doesn't matter how close the SC gets to it, it's not a GTD.

 

[RebelMan]

Nice work on the pricing analysis, @roket! I saw it yesterday in person. It looks good!

I'm seriously contemplating one.

To replace or to add? I like your stable of Bullitts.

 

[Puddinpop]

The GTD is a statement product that wasn't built for anyone individual or class. It was built for one purpose and one purpose ONLY... Sub 7 second Nürburgring, which it did! That's it! Can't make that statement any plainer. Again, no GTD owner on the planet is going to give a rat's ass about another 800HP comparable Mustang, period.

You clearly have never heard of the ole adage... “Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” The issue couldn't be more relevant.


You can disagree all you want but that doesn't make you right. Look at what you are saying... FORD NEVER set out to conquer the ZR1, NEVER!!! Yet all the Chevy fan boys or FORD haters are comparing the GTD against it. WHY? I'll tell you why, because the Camaro got its ass handed to it (AGAIN) and they have nothing else left to compare with, period.

The fact that the GTD is even being mentioned in the same discussion as the ZR1 is quite remarkable and flattering... to the GTD!

Well, 90% his highly speculative. Are you familiar with the Law of Diminishing Returns? That's what we have here. It doesn't matter how close the SC gets to it, it's not a GTD.

Wrong Farley just did an interview with Chris Cervenka where he asked Farley if they'd build a Corvette competitor and Farley's words were "you don't think the GTD is a competitor?" Ford also has nobody to blame but themselves for these comparisons to Corvettes when they sit in the same price range for lesser performance.

 

[Thomas]

If it really is 150 pimped out, (I had guessed 135), that is pushing into what I would call..."stretch territory" and makes something like a used GT4RS, GT3, Vantage, or AMG GT R / PRO come into play (Z06 of course, but that nearly as interesting having seen and heard one in-person). That's some tough competition. Shoot you are talking new M8 potentially as well.

 

[Bikeman315]

If it really is 150 pimped out, (I had guessed 135), that is pushing into what I would call..."stretch territory" and makes something like a used GT4RS, GT3, Vantage, or AMG GT come into play (Z06 of course, but that nearly as interesting having seen and heard one in-person). That's some tough competition. Shoot you are talking new M8 potentially as well.

All great cars. I guess it all boils down to what a buyer is looking for. Honestly at that price range you are most likely looking at a multi car owners who may already have some of these. But then again is there really anything better than an American V8?

 

[Bikeman315]

Wrong Farley just did an interview with Chris Cervenka where he asked Farley if they'd build a Corvette competitor and Farley's words were "you don't think the GTD is a competitor?" Ford also has nobody to blame but themselves for these comparisons to Corvettes when they sit in the same price range for lesser performance.

In the world of American high performance machines, of course, they are competitors. But anyone who has been able to get a GTD most likely would have a garage space for a ZR1/x if they wanted one. And why not, they are both awesome cars.

 

[Puddinpop]

In the world of American high performance machines, of course, they are competitors. But anyone who has been able to get a GTD most likely would have a garage space for a ZR1/x if they wanted one. And why not, they are both awesome cars.

I just find it funny that those who wanted the Mustang to move up in tier/competition are now complaining about it being compared to cars in its price class and not being able to keep up with said competition. Yeah they're both cool but the 2 things that disappoint me about the GTD is 1. Price to performance and 2. It's not all built in house. Mainly reason #2. To me you're just riding someone's coattails and slapping your badge on the car. If I somehow won the lottery would I own both sure but the Corvette would come well before I bought a GTD.

 

[robvas]

Wrong Farley just did an interview with Chris Cervenka where he asked Farley if they'd build a Corvette competitor and Farley's words were "you don't think the GTD is a competitor?" Ford also has nobody to blame but themselves for these comparisons to Corvettes when they sit in the same price range for lesser performance.

And then started babbling about the Raptor lol

 

[MaddNomad]

And then started babbling about the Raptor lol

Always gives one interview saying cool stuff, then follows it up with an interview full of contradictions or babble.

 

[AZ_Ryan]

Always gives one interview saying cool stuff, then follows it up with an interview full of contradictions or babble.

The more I see of him, the less I like.

 

[Katastrophe]

The GTD is a statement product that wasn't built for anyone individual or class. It was built for one purpose and one purpose ONLY... Sub 7 second Nürburgring, which it did! That's it! Can't make that statement any plainer. Again, no GTD owner on the planet is going to give a rat's ass about another 800HP comparable Mustang, period.

You clearly have never heard of the ole adage... “Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” The issue couldn't be more relevant.


You can disagree all you want but that doesn't make you right. Look at what you are saying... FORD NEVER set out to conquer the ZR1, NEVER!!! Yet all the Chevy fan boys or FORD haters are comparing the GTD against it. WHY? I'll tell you why, because the Camaro got its ass handed to it (AGAIN) and they have nothing else left to compare with, period.

The fact that the GTD is even being mentioned in the same discussion as the ZR1 is quite remarkable and flattering... to the GTD!

Well, 90% his highly speculative. Are you familiar with the Law of Diminishing Returns? That's what we have here. It doesn't matter how close the SC gets to it, it's not a GTD.

I've already said it. GTD is not for me. The goal-posts associated with the "mission" of that car were moved multiple times. Farley himself said it was built to compete against the 911GT3RS. It did NOT beat that car. They then went with the "first US car to hit a sub-7" to save some face. While still an impressive feat, it failed it's original mission. I'm not going to dog on a GTD owner for liking their car. It's not my cup of tea. End of story.

The ZR1 gets mentioned because of it's impressive performance in all criteria it competes in. Drag racing, track driving, driving dynamics and bang for buck...like or not. To be clear, I don't really like the ZR1 personally. I would take a Z06 over one because I'd rather have a high-rpm screamer of an engine installed in an overall lighter car. Non-aero, no-option, just honest to goodness "street trim" Z06 is my preferred C8.

As far as lessons learned or AAR's...I'm well aware of how important those things are. Yet again, I will not agree with you on an engine blunder that happened 27 years ago being of any relevance to this conversation.

I used the 90% number based on track times from the only comparable data I could find. A user running a 1:49.3 at Sonoma Long with a GT500 CFTP, pre-2024 repave, in dirty-air for the entire lap. The GTD (in the most recent shootout vs GT3RS + ZR1) ran a 1:38.7, some 10.6 seconds faster. Factoring in the repave, the driver skill difference (dirty-air not withstanding) and the fact I'm betting on the DH SC being faster than the old GT500 CFTP, I figured 90% was a decent starting point. Accurate? Who knows, just an educated guess based on numerous factors. Again, I don't care to argue these numbers into the ground. We'll all know soon enough when customers and magazines get their lucky hands on the new DH SC.

For the last time...if you bleed blue, that's great. I don't. I'm not trying to debate you, I really don't care all that much. No one needs to justify what they like. That's the beauty of not being on a "team"...especially being an automobile enthusiast. Some vehicles just give you that "fizz" more than others. If you want my honest opinion, I'd rather have a GT350R over damn-near anything offered today and it's not even close. If they still made them new, fresh to order, I'd have one and be MIA from the forums. I'd be out there driving every possible second. Anyway, hope that clears it up.

EDIT: For clarity...

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