2024 Ford Mustang

The Dark Horse is an entirely new breed of Mustang, one that shares no bloodlines with historic models. While it's based on the new seventh-generation V-8–powered Ford Mustang GT, the Dark Horse is more badass out of the box, and it's bred for racing, with numerous standard performance features and exclusive track-focused options.

Think of the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse as the love child of the outgoing Mach 1 and Shelby variants, neither of which is offered for the redesigned Stang's inaugural model year. Like the Mach 1 before it, the Dark Horse is the most track-capable Mustang that doesn't have Shelby badging. It also inherits parts from the Shelby GT350 and GT500, most notably their lightweight carbon-fiber wheels. It's the first time Ford will offer the exotic rims on a non-Shelby Mustang, and they'll likely still cost a pretty penny when they become available later in the model year.

Like the regular Mustang GT, the Dark Horse variant is only offered with Ford's Coyote 5.0-liter V-8. Not only is this the latest generation of the engine, now featuring dual throttle bodies fed by dual air intakes, but the version in the Dark Horse is enhanced even further. It features forged internal components along with connecting rods from the GT500's 760-hp supercharged 5.2-liter Predator V-8. It produces a projected 500 horsepower, and Ford says the Dark Horse engine is the most powerful naturally aspirated V-8 it has ever built. It pairs with a standard Tremec six-speed manual (GT models use a different Getrag gearbox), and the shifter has a special 3D-printed titanium knob. Ford's 10-speed automatic is the other option, and both transmissions power the rear wheels through a Torsen limited-slip diff.

Ed Krenz, Mustang chief nameplate engineer, told Car and Driver that Dark Horse as a brand name had been rattling around at Ford for quite some time before it was picked to christen the seventh-generation Mustang. "With the S650, we knew we were going to come out of the gate with a feature car," said Krenz.

While heritage model names such as Bosses, Bullitts, and Mach 1s were considered, one of the reasons Dark Horse was selected is because it describes the unexpected, which Krenz said played into the company's assertion that some competitors are leaving the segment while Ford—perhaps surprisingly—has introduced a brand-new Mustang.

The Dark Horse name was also inspired by the model's understated, dark design that is supposed to give off a sleeper-type vibe, according to Krenz. However, we'd argue that the Mustang Dark Horse looks too menacing to qualify as a sleeper. Even compared with the regular GT model, which already has an aggressive mug, the Dark Horse goes a step further with a unique front end featuring bigger grille apertures and open nostrils for better cooling. Its smoked headlights and taillights also promote a racy attitude. Plus, the coupe's body is adorned with unique aero bits such as a fixed rear wing and distinctive Dark Horse badges on the front fenders and decklid. The rear bumper also boasts a prominent diffuser and quad-tipped tailpipes. The other way to identify a Dark Horse is with its exclusive Blue Ember metallic paint (pictured here), and Ford also offers applied or painted graphics in different colors and designs.