The new 2024 Ford Mustang reveal in Detroit shed light on more than just a redesigned appearance. When the smoke and theatricality subsided, the star of the stage was the new 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse. The Dark Horse is the latest sharpened implement in Ford’s arsenal and an absolute track star. However, it’s more than another track-ready Mustang Mach 1; it’s a 500-horsepower, Coyote V8 stepping stone for the Mustang nameplate. 

What is the Ford Mustang Dark Horse?

The 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse is a spiritual successor for the Shelby GT350 and Mustang Mach 1. The new car not only gets its own original nameplate, but it also brings track-ready performance and parts to a road car you can take to the race track. It follows suit in the new lineup’s aesthetic redesign, although it features updated aero like its integrated Gurney flap. 

Also, it shrugs off the societal pressure for turbochargers or hybridization; the Dark Horse is an all-motor naturally aspirated V8 weapon. Furthermore, Ford endowed the Dark Horse with an intuitive, driver-centric cockpit which the marque bills as “fighter jet-inspired.” In addition to a big motor, improved aero, and an immersive cockpit, the new track-ready Mustang has serious handling credentials in its suspension setup. 

The new Dark Horse is a track-ready Mustang with track-only siblings on the way

The new Dark Horse features suspension and aero that beg for track access. For instance, Ford claims that the new Mustang’s MagneRide shocks can monitor wheel and tire data 1,000 times per second to squeeze optimal performance out of every driving mode and experience. Furthermore, Ford will offer the new special edition Mustang with a Handling Package which includes larger sway bars, stiffer springs, and 19-inch wheels wrapped in Pirelli Trofeo rubber. 

However, Ford isn’t stopping with the V8-powered road car. Instead, Ford plans on releasing a track-only Mustang Dark Horse S and R. The S will include an adjustable rear wing, tow hooks, hood pins, and an exhaust system for a track-ready package. On the other hand, the R incorporates all of the S’ attributes, a racing serialization, and a fuel cell. Finally, Ford announced that the new Mustang is a gateway to race series aspirations, including a GT3 IMSA car, GT4, NHRA Factory X car, and even a Le Mans return. 

The new Dark Horse joins the GT350 and Mach 1 as the latest track-ready Mustang in the stable

Of course, everyone wants to know how much power the new car develops. The new track-ready pony car produces a projected 500 horsepower from a tuned and modified 5.0L Coyote V8. For instance, Ford introduced forged internals, dual throttle bodies, and added cooling power. As a result, the Dark Horse’s Coyote breathes better, cools more effectively, and will resist the stresses of track work better than previous Coyotes. Better yet, the power is channeled by a traditional Tremec six-speed manual to a Torsen limited-slip differential. 

Of course, for those who don’t want to tell their horse when to change gears, the 10-speed automatic promises to shift with serious swiftness. The new Dark Horse took one look at the direction of the auto industry and said, “not yet.” 

Scroll down to the following article to read more about the new Mustang!