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

[MaddNomad]

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

Yup and some people give him a pass because he races old cars and things.

I used to think he was alright and coming from the Toyota world I felt like he would be awesome with Ford (he use to pull up in Fords while working with Toyota).

but I get the vibe he’s chasing his own interests and likes the spotlight.

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[Rated R]

A bit cocky and dismissive is what I got out of that interview. He has had to deal with a lot of gov't mandated crap through his leadership. However, with changing consumer preferences maybe I'd address the questions he's received in a similar fashion. Because of Ford's current financial state he's going to lean into what their research has revealed is going to sell, where he enthusiasm is etc.

 

[MaddNomad]

A bit cocky and dismissive is what I got out of that interview. He has had to deal with a lot of gov't mandated crap through his leadership. However, with changing consumer preferences maybe I'd address the questions he's received in a similar fashion. Because of Ford's current financial state he's going to lean into what their research has revealed is going to sell, where he enthusiasm is etc.

I get that he had to deal with a lot of changes back and forth, that’s understandable.

Some of the frustration he has though seems self inflicted. People are tired of him talking out of both sides of his mouth, so there isn’t much grace. Mustang alone he’s said some crazy stuff.

Even Cervenka gave off that “bro what?” vibe when Farley tried to answer his question. To his credit, he was still respectful asking hard questions.

 

[RebelMan]

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.

NOT Wrong. I saw that interview. There is a thing called etiquette and prudence neither of which Chris demonstrated at that time.

You don't get invited to a FORD debut and then think you can infer about the competition especially when it doesn't relate. This was a DH SC reveal which has nothing to do with the ZR1. Chris made an opportunistic move, and I get that, but it was also bad form. Farley responded the way he did because he was perturbed by the question.

Chris was invited to a DH SC reveal and to inquire all about that subject matter. It just wasn't the proper forum to discuss anything else and Farley was clearly put off by that. When you ask an off the wall question you are going to get an off the wall answer.

 

[MaddNomad]

NOT Wrong. I saw that interview. There is a thing called etiquette and prudence neither of which Chris demonstrated at that time.

You don't get invited to a FORD debut and then think you can infer about the competition especially when it doesn't relate. This was a DH SC reveal which has nothing to do with the ZR1. Chris made an opportunistic move, and I get that, but it was also bad form. Farley responded the way he did because he was perturbed by the question.

Chris was invited to a DH SC reveal and to inquire all about that subject matter. It just wasn't the proper forum to discuss anything else and Farley was clearly put off by that. When you ask an off the wall question you are going to get an off the wall answer.

It’s not that uncommon for people to ask questions like that at reveals. I’m sure Chris will get invited again.

I’ve seen people ask crazier questions

 

[Puddinpop]

NOT Wrong. I saw that interview. There is a thing called etiquette and prudence neither of which Chris demonstrated at that time.

You don't get invited to a FORD debut and then think you can infer about the competition especially when it doesn't relate. This was a DH SC reveal which has nothing to do with the ZR1. Chris made an opportunistic move, and I get that, but it was also bad form. Farley responded the way he did because he was perturbed by the question.

Chris was invited to a DH SC reveal and to inquire all about that subject matter. It just wasn't the proper forum to discuss anything else and Farley was clearly put off by that. When you ask an off the wall question you are going to get an off the wall answer.

Still doesn't change the fact of how Farley answered the question. If it was strictly about the Dark horse SC then why did he start bringing up rally racing and the Raptor brand? Dude is out of touch with the majority of the Mustang crowd.

 

[RebelMan]

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...

Just a reminder, this discussion was about the HP wars not having any relevance to GDT owners' pride of ownership. It seems to me this goal-post was moved too. And on that note both can be true at the same time... that is the GTD vs GT3-RS and sub-7 seconds.

I understand that the GTD is not for you, and that technically was not the point of this discourse. However, I do appreciate that you would entertain a "new" GT350R. Which leaves me curious. Do you own a Mustang? Have you ever?

The ZR1 is impressive, there is no denying that. By the same token it technically doesn't belong in a conversation about the GTD either. The ZR1 wasn't built for the Nürburgring. That was an afterthought. The ZR1 was built to push the limits of Chevy engineering and to honor the principal engineer's retirement. Everything else has been gravy.

To reiterate, the ZR1 is brought up because there is nothing left in the Chevy stable to compare with. What people continue to fail to see is this has nothing to do with price either. There are plenty of overpriced vehicles. Which again, does not matter because these vehicles aren't produced for everybody. I am willing to venture that 99% of the people doing the silly contest couldn't afford a ZR1 much less a GTD anyway.

The Cobra flop matters to FORD because it sure as sheit would matter to you if it didn't.

Like it or not this is a bit of a debate. If it wasn't you would be more willing to accept that HP wars aren't going to make any difference to GTD owners. Furthermore, people justify what they like all the time. This has been a forum for that.

I do bleed FORD blue, but I also recognize the alternatives. Unfortunately, amateur pundits would rather (and in many cases errantly) point out the misses more so than the hits. The fact that FORD has taken the Mustang nameplate to the extreme that is has with the GTD, regardless of price, is in itself very remarkable. FORD could have just killed the brand off like Chevy and Dodge did or sell out to the government, but it didn't.

It kept pushing the limits of what was possible and succeeded. And now the name Mustang is being compared to the likes of Porche and Corvette. You can't deny how impressive that is no matter which side of the bridge you are standing on.

 

[RebelMan]

It’s not that uncommon for people to ask questions like that at reveals. I’m sure Chris will get invited again.

I’ve seen people ask crazier questions

Perhaps, but then, don't be surprised by the reaction. I wasn't but many people here are like OMG.

 

[RebelMan]

Still doesn't change the fact of how Farley answered the question. If it was strictly about the Dark horse SC then why did he start bringing up rally racing and the Raptor brand? Dude is out of touch with the majority of the Mustang crowd.

It's precisely why he answered the way he did. Anyone on this forum that doesn't think a rhetorical question about their ride isn't going to incite a defensive posture and/or response is smoking something.

 

[AZ_Ryan]

Dear lord. Im a Ford guy, but this rabid defense 25 pages in is at whole new level.

 

[MaddNomad]

I honestly want to see someone pressure him harder. Lol.

No one has really asked him to explain his contradictions, they’re always quick statements.

 

[Bikeman315]

I honestly want to see someone pressure him harder. Lol.

No one has really asked him to explain his contradictions, they’re always quick statements.

I'm wondering if anyone here actually works/worked for a Fortune 500 company and has dealt directly with the CEO. I have and know for a fact that this behavior is SOP. It doesn't really matter what they say. Someone will take it out of context, twist it and manipulate it to fit a narrative. The CEO's know this and try and deal with it the best they can without pissing off the shareholders. As far as bringing up competition well that's part of coming to the party. Years ago when I worked for Panasonic it was part of every news conference. Someone would always ask what Sony was doing. Did it piss our CEO off? Sure, but he still answered the questions as best he could.

 

[Puddinpop]

I'm wondering if anyone here actually works/worked for a Fortune 500 company and has dealt directly with the CEO. I have and know for a fact that this behavior is SOP. It doesn't really matter what they say. Someone will take it out of context, twist it and manipulate it to fit a narrative. The CEO's know this and try and deal with it the best they can without pissing off the shareholders. As far as bringing up competition well that's part of coming to the party. Years ago when I worked for Panasonic it was part of every news conference. Someone would always ask what Sony was doing. Did it piss our CEO off? Sure, but he still answered the questions as best he could.

To answer your question yes I do and I have had conversations with my CEO. Nobody is twisting Farley's words in this instance. He's lucky Chris let him off the hook to continue his babble about stuff nobody asked about/cares for.

 

[JediMindTrix]

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

Really don't care for the debate of this thread on speculation for pricing, but there should be an upcharge in there too for the difference between 950 and 970 (likely trim material differences and some other minor nuances, think base to premium DH) which means the technology package is likely not going to make a return. Plus the optional Recaro seats so I would still pin this vehicle at 89-90K starting MSRP based on what you mentioned above.

 

[roket]

Really don't care for the debate of this thread on speculation for pricing, but there should be an upcharge in there too for the difference between 950 and 970 (likely trim material differences and some other minor nuances, think base to premium DH) plus the optional Recaro seats so I would still pin this vehicle at 89-90K starting MSRP based on what you mentioned above.

based on the wording, it sounds like Ford is going to be doing what they did for the Raptor, where on that the 37 package is 802A, R is 803A, and standard is 801A

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