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

[JediMindTrix]

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

That makes perfect sense then, thank you

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[MaddNomad]

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.

Yeah that’s why I was saying earlier that I’ve seen some crazier questions asked during a reveal and even at meetings. Usually you’ll get the vague responses that leave a lot open.

For him it’s almost as if he says too much, then follows it up with the exact opposite thing. I would just ask to clarify some of it.

 

[93_SVT_3503]

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

DANG!! I'll take a Raptor Darkhorse SC on 37s!!
Will that be a DCT or a 10 speed?

 

[roket]

DANG!! I'll take a Raptor Darkhorse SC on 37s!!
Will that be a DCT or a 10 speed?

14-speed manual only

 

[roket]

wondering how long it will be until a secondary air delete kit and cat-back exhaust will be out for it? exhaust should be pretty easy since it's just a GT500 cat-back with different tips, and a secondary air delete would also be a hit with the GTD owners too

 

[Sofa King]

Ford confirms Cobra and Boss are off the table for the Mustang

 

[Tony Alonso]

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

Some of those Bullitts would have to go, which why I am at the contemplation stage at this time. Hahaha!

After a few days to absorb all the commentary, as well as having seen it in person, I can say that as an existing Dark Horse owner, I do appreciate the fact the name is building on the Dark Horse subbrand. That said, if I was in charge, the S550 Mach 1 would have been a Boss 302, and the Dark Horse also would have been a Boss 302. Then I would have called the Dark Horse SC a Cobra.

Specwise, I think the already awesome S550 GT500 is being improved with this round of changes in the SC. I don't think it diminishes either car. I'd love it the base price doesn't rise above $100,000. Then it would be as value packed as the 2020 GT500 came out. I gues we will see when the SC gets driven harder on track if the improvements in handling, braking, and acceleration are noticeable.

 

[Katastrophe]

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.

I've never moved any goalpost(s). I've never changed my tune. I've said it multiple times...the optics are HORRIBLE if the DH SC makes power figures close to the GTD. In what world is that even controversial?

I don't currently own a Mustang, but I've personally owned 3.

I didn't follow the ZR1 at all until it debuted. Personally, if a car is aimed at an enthusiast and priced in a category filled with other cars of it's ilk, they compete. I keep it simple that way.

I'm not discrediting Ford in anyway for keeping the Mustang alive and well. Quite the opposite. I applaud them for providing a solid spread of performance choices for the enthusiast. I just happen to think they've missed the mark on more than a few occasions and can do better.

Look at the DH. It IS a Mach 1. The DH SC? It IS a GT500. Yet, Ford will have you believe they are entirely new vehicles because their "brand" demands it and their marketing/PR machine will force it down your gullet as gospel.

Call it a debate all you want. I won't. I'll just concede. You win.

 

[RebelMan]

For him it’s almost as if he says too much, then follows it up with the exact opposite thing. I would just ask to clarify some of it.

Farley was clearly miffed about the question. However, I don't think it's too far a reach to rationalize what he was trying to say.

In Farley's eyes the GTD accomplishes what FORD set out to do with the Mustang. That took considerable time and resources to achieve. Since FORD also wants to push the F-Series and Bronco platforms to their equivalent extremes it's going to again cost the company considerable time and resources to achieve.

Since they need a sizeable budget and manpower to accomplish this with the F-Series and Bronco there's just less of a budget and manpower to build a true Corvette competitor at this time. If you recall Farley also said...

"So you need to understand really what we're excited about is of course the GTDs, the SC's, you know, and a lot of other things that you have not seen."

 

[RebelMan]

Some of those Bullitts would have to go, which why I am at the contemplation stage at this time. Hahaha!

Looking forward to the outcome.

After a few days to absorb all the commentary, as well as having seen it in person, I can say that as an existing Dark Horse owner, I do appreciate the fact the name is building on the Dark Horse subbrand. That said, if I was in charge, the S550 Mach 1 would have been a Boss 302, and the Dark Horse also would have been a Boss 302. Then I would have called the Dark Horse SC a Cobra.

When I first heard "Dark Horse" it was, admittedly, a jolt to my system. I thought "Dark Horse" hmm, but when you think about, awkward or not, the meaning of the name does fit.

The difference now though is Dark Horse is not just a nameplate. It's an entire platform, a racing one at that. Most people do not realize how far reaching the name goes. It's not one model it's the whole damn lineup from street to track. The GT3 (the track version of the GTD) is a Dark Horse derivative. It uses a naturally aspirated Coyote motor that's been bored to 5.4L is mated to dual throttle botties and outputs 550 BHP.

Some people maybe pissy about the new Dark Horse SC not being called a BOSS. Truth is the GT3 (Dark Horse) has been running like a BOSS all along and they didn't see it coming.

SC is not outside the FORD wheelhouse either. Remember the Thunderbird SC from the nineties? Only then SC stood for Super Coupe which let's be honest would make the Dark Horse SC designation sound much cooler than Supercharged.

Eventually, the name will be proven, and it will catch on.

 

[RebelMan]

I've never moved any goalpost(s). I've never changed my tune. I've said it multiple times...the optics are HORRIBLE if the DH SC makes power figures close to the GTD. In what world is that even controversial?

Sorry not sorry, but you did the instant you brought the ZR1 into the discussion.

I don't currently own a Mustang, but I've personally owned 3.

Care to elaborate?

I didn't follow the ZR1 at all until it debuted. Personally, if a car is aimed at an enthusiast and priced in a category filled with other cars of it's ilk, they compete. I keep it simple that way.

Well, if you're shopping around then I don't blame you. But that's not really what you are doing.

I'm not discrediting Ford in anyway for keeping the Mustang alive and well. Quite the opposite. I applaud them for providing a solid spread of performance choices for the enthusiast. I just happen to think they've missed the mark on more than a few occasions and can do better.

Look at the DH. It IS a Mach 1. The DH SC? It IS a GT500. Yet, Ford will have you believe they are entirely new vehicles because their "brand" demands it and their marketing/PR machine will force it down your gullet as gospel.

Heh, so FORD can arbitrarily label a MACH1 and a GT500 and you don't have a problem with it, but when it comes to Dark Horse you do. Hmm, well then, by that logic the same can be said for the MACH1, it's really just a Bullitt and the GT500 is really just a Cobra.

Call it a debate all you want. I won't. I'll just concede. You win.

Indeed.

 

[MaddNomad]

Farley was clearly miffed about the question. However, I don't think it's too far a reach to rationalize what he was trying to say.

In Farley's eyes the GTD accomplishes what FORD set out to do with the Mustang. That took considerable time and resources to achieve. Since FORD also wants to push the F-Series and Bronco platforms to their equivalent extremes it's going to again cost the company considerable time and resources to achieve.

Since they need a sizeable budget and manpower to accomplish this with the F-Series and Bronco there's just less of a budget and manpower to build a true Corvette competitor at this time. If you recall Farley also said...

I’m not talking about his comments on the Vette during the SC reveal event.

I was saying in past interviews he says something, then contradicts it later on in a new interview. That’s when someone should ask questions to clarify.

 

[A_Bau3]

Can’t believe I’m saying it.. but it’s growing on me.

 

[agreywolfe]

power wise i expect it to be the same or possibly more than the GTD, that's not what made the GTD stand out (hell my supercharged 5.0 is only a few HP shy of it). One interesting thing about this car that stands out to me is the tires. From what i could see in the photos and press releases i dont think this one is any wider (at least in the rear) than the lower models. Its got 315 rears which ive had for over a year now with similar fitment to these photos.

not exact angle but you get the idea, i cant really comment on the fronts because i have non-standard fenders.

 

[A_Bau3]

power wise i expect it to be the same or possibly more than the GTD, that's not what made the GTD stand out (hell my supercharged 5.0 is only a few HP shy of it). One interesting thing about this car that stands out to me is the tires. From what i could see in the photos and press releases i dont think this one is any wider (at least in the rear) than the lower models. Its got 315 rears which ive had for over a year now with similar fitment to these photos.

not exact angle but you get the idea, i cant really comment on the fronts because i have non-standard fenders.

Development team confirmed the rear is slightly wider in an interview.

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