Looks Like a Dark Horse Boss is heading to the market next to a GT500 successor

[IceGamer]

https://fordauthority.com/2025/05/2026-ford-mustang-dark-horse-boss-possibly-spotted-testing-pics/

It says that the car pictured is a beefier DH but still road legal... Don't we have the S and R versions? Maybe a DH successor or a refresh? Mach 1 and the Bullit also only had fairly short runs...

Anyhow, the interesting part to me is that this is supposedly not the GT500 successor which would legitimize the European registration mentioned in the article. With our strict emissions rules we'll never get the GT500 successor with it's slightly (out)updated Predator engine. Not without electrification...
So is this a DH hybrid?

Sponsored

 

[REV745DH24]

https://fordauthority.com/2025/05/2026-ford-mustang-dark-horse-boss-possibly-spotted-testing-pics/

It says that the car pictured is a beefier DH but still road legal... Don't we have the S and R versions? Maybe a DH successor or a refresh? Mach 1 and the Bullit also only had fairly short runs...

Anyhow, the interesting part to me is that this is supposedly not the GT500 successor which would legitimize the European registration mentioned in the article. With our strict emissions rules we'll never get the GT500 successor with it's slightly (out)updated Predator engine. Not without electrification...
So is this a DH hybrid?

Only one rear exhaust pipes on each side??

 

[NegativeMultiplier]

Only one rear exhaust pipes on each side??

This isn't uncommon. Multiple high performance prototypes from Ford have utilized dual exhausts instead of quad pipes when they were in the mule-stage, which this one seems to be in. I'd be willing to wager this one is probably undergoing emissions testing.

Whatever the case is, this barrage of news is exactly what I was waiting for.

 

[young at heart]

https://fordauthority.com/2025/05/2026-ford-mustang-dark-horse-boss-possibly-spotted-testing-pics/

It says that the car pictured is a beefier DH but still road legal... Don't we have the S and R versions? Maybe a DH successor or a refresh? Mach 1 and the Bullit also only had fairly short runs...

Anyhow, the interesting part to me is that this is supposedly not the GT500 successor which would legitimize the European registration mentioned in the article. With our strict emissions rules we'll never get the GT500 successor with it's slightly (out)updated Predator engine. Not without electrification...
So is this a DH hybrid?

I’m ordinarily a defender of FA and I’ve never thought they intentionally mislead the reader just to get clicks. They do the best they can IMO.

But in this case, while I still don’t think they’re trying to mislead, it seems like sheer speculation to me. Pretty much the same buffet of guesses that members come up with repetitively in these threads.

Whatever they come up with, I think the biggest news will be the name. Think about a few things:

*how many different times and ways can they Whipple up the same car and sell it as “all new”? The whole concept is getting a little long in the tooth, even at 100 large +.

*how much more horsepower can they coax out of a NA Coyote/Predator and keep it reliable and warrantable? 526 didn’t work out so well for them and the difference between 500 and 526 kinda comes down to bragging rights anyway.

*go drive a Dark Horse HP car and come back and explain to me how you’re gonna make a stock NA Mustang be appreciably faster or better handling. Oh yeah, and keep it in the $75K range too. Fellas, it ain’t happening…no way, no how. About all you can do is sauce it up with a snappy new name and a couple of colors.

So here’s my prediction: buckle up and get ready for a hybrid. I don’t see another answer. If you don’t mind more cost, complexity and weight please be my guest.

There‘s a reason the GT350 still sits at the top of the NA hill five full model years after the last one was built. I think the Dark Horse HP S650s will be regarded similarly no matter what NA iteration comes out and what they call it. You can only get so good with a particular platform and they’ve about wrung out all they can out of this one.

 

[broncoboy22]

Whatever it is just please retain a manual transmission option

 

[IceGamer]

Only one rear exhaust pipes on each side??

It's just a place holde where, as far as I am informed, certain instruments can be mounted to measure emission output or other stuff. It's almost always a give away that new stuff is tested.

I wouldn't read too much into the bird's-nest rims as mules always use what is available at the moment.

 

[Alan Applegate]

Here's a thought... Considering the costs involved (Dark Horse with extra goodies, etc.) perhaps Ford would do just as well bringing out a race-ready Mustang in white. No body paint, no HVAC, no seats except the driver's, extra cooling (oil and water) with the only option the addition of a Whipple.

 

[Zig]

What’s next dh boss gt xtra plus including kitchen sink without the drain going after the hellcat long name title, sheesh that’ll fit on the business card alright.

 

[robvas]

Dark Horse Boss is such a dumb name

right up there with Nite Pony

 

[IceGamer]

What’s next dh boss gt xtra plus including kitchen sink without the drain going after the hellcat long name title, sheesh that’ll fit on the business card alright.

The 'Mercedes-Benz CLS 350 CDI Bluetec Shooting Brake 4Matic' would disagree with you, as would the 'Lincoln Continental Mark V Landau Four Door Hardtop'...

What about 'Ford Mustang Dark Horse Boss 5.0 NA V8 Hybrid AWD Gen 7 Two Door Softtop FlatRock Final Edition' ?
Aside from the name I would buy a convertible AWD Mustang ;)

 

[Upacurb]

If they are going to throw Boss into the mix....I mean I thought they were trying to move forward and attract a new generation.....not play to the boomer crowd?

The Dark Horse HP all ready has all the cooling needed - dont understand this article

The car needs less weight not more power - but could they go to a 5.2 Predator block less blower with cross plane crank?

One thing the Shelby cars had compared to the Dark Horse and Mach 1 was the wider front end- the Shelby cars are a few inches wider but this is not the case on the prototype seen

 

[Wiley Marmot]

Dark Horse Boss XW26R

OK..........................well maybe NOT!

 

[Germansheperd]

Meh. Who’s going to have one anyways except someone who works at Ford in Michigan or a YouTuber.
Ever try to order a Dark Horse? Order a Dark Horse HP and get back to me.
When the DH came out they were marked up five digits over MSRP when you could find one. They can keep it at that.
It’s become a joke.

 

[Upacurb]

Tons of new Dark Horses around me for sale....heck one dealer has 3 carbon fiber wheel cars sitting on the lot....

 

[young at heart]

If they are going to throw Boss into the mix....I mean I thought they were trying to move forward and attract a new generation.....not play to the boomer crowd?

The Dark Horse HP all ready has all the cooling needed - dont understand this article

The car needs less weight not more power - but could they go to a 5.2 Predator block less blower with cross plane crank?

One thing the Shelby cars had compared to the Dark Horse and Mach 1 was the wider front end- the Shelby cars are a few inches wider but this is not the case on the prototype seen

Well, keep in mind that many boomers (when did that get to be a pejorative thing?) enjoy reliving their youth. You whippersnappers will too if you’re lucky enough to make it this far. Plus, and more importantly, most boomers can write a check for the thing if they so desire. It’s important to market to the crowd who can actually pay the freight. Now: besiege me with all you fortunate exceptions.

P.S. I sure agree with the less weight thing!

Sponsored