Ford mustang dark horse 2024

FORD MUSTANG DARK HORSE

 

Overview:

Since we are at Charlotte Motor Speedway and preparing to drive the Roval, we'll set the argument and the melancholy aside. Think of the Dark Horse as advancement over the magnificent departing Ford Mustang Mach 1. The fastest vehicle in our Lightning Lap LL2 category is also a good place to start. The improvements to the chassis and powerplant, aside from the aesthetic and interior, are rather minor but appreciated.

Open the hood, and you'll see the "5.0" emblem conspicuously mounted above the double-overhead-cam, 32-valve V-8, which also features new dual-throttle-body intakes that extend down to larger bumper apertures. Forged connecting rods from the GT500 are added to the Dark Horse engine along with enhancements seen on the GT. The engine has 500 horsepower, precisely matching the 2007 GT500's supercharged 5.4-liter V-8, thanks to reinforced camshafts and special engine tune.

Darker colors like Vapor Blue Metallic, which lessen the contrast with the black accents on the hood and in the region encompassing the headlights and grille that resembles goth lipstick, make the Dark Horse look appropriately menacing. The outward appearance and the new interior with its dual-screen interface reflect the most important improvements to the automobile, which is now in its seventh generation, just like with the 2024 Mustang EcoBoost and GT. Your attitude about both is probably influenced by your age and respect for the famous nameplate.

Driving review:

Every pony feels included and taken care of. When did the Mustang grow so heavy? Their ferocious roar reverberates proudly off the Roval walls as they easily reach triple-digit speeds with this 3975-pound coupe. They accelerate the Dark Horse to 60 mph at our test track in 4.1 seconds and through the quarter-mile at 115 mph in 12.5 seconds.

The four modes of the standard active exhaust are Normal, Sport, and Track, which start off very loud and get louder as they go. We humbly acknowledge that we placed it in Quiet mode when driving to reduce droning.

When a rear-drive car with a V-8 is offered, the six-speed manual transmission is the one you should choose—consider this your duty as a red-blooded American. The GT and the track-focused trim levels have different transmissions, just like the Stang of the previous generation. The Dark Horse uses the Tremec TR-3160 from the Mach 1 and the sadly defunct Shelby GT350, whereas the GT continues to use its Getrag MT-82. However, both gearboxes support no-lift shifting, in which you maintain pressure on the gas pedal while making a rapid upshift, and have automated rev-matching (that you can turn off).

Interior:

This is exactly like the Mach 1 if it sounds similar so far. Larger anti-roll bars, different chassis tuning, and other improvements introduced to the entire Mustang line, such as accelerating the steering ratio and enhancing the system's overall rigidity, are just a few of the modifications.

The new Pirelli Trofeo RS tires, which are optionally included in the Handling package ($4995) and are available in sizes 305/30 up front and 315/30 at the rear, have the most impact. These tires are 19-inch Pirelli P Zero PZ4s measuring 255/40 front and 275/40 rear as standard fitment. You may remember that the Camaro Z/28 and the McLaren Senna [MS1] [MS2] [SM3] both came equipped with the famed Trofeo R tire as standard equipment. The RS is an improvement on that concept that focuses on providing exceptional traction while having a longer lifespan. For instance, the RS has a tread wear rating of 180 compared to the R's of 60. On the former Mach 1, the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S and Cup 2 tires were just fantastic.

Given its equipment, the Dark Horse can readily and quickly instill confidence. Within a lap or two, we're able to accelerate past 100 mph while keeping the gas locked through the banking. The tires are also credited by the development team for advances in on-road refinement.

The Brembo six-piston front calipers clamp down hard on 15.4-inch rotors as the Dark Horse approaches 135 mph (the Brembo four-piston rear calipers also assist). This tremendous stopping power, combined with the standard magneto rheological dampers, keeps the Dark Horse stable and in control. Additionally, they managed to halt the Dark Horse in 142 feet from 70 mph.

Price:

The starting price of the Dark Horse is $60,865 (destination included, plus a $1300 gas-guzzler tax), or somewhat less than what the Mach 1 would have cost with its Handling package, Recaro seats, and a few other extras. The Dark Horse succeeds on the track while providing attractive on-road qualities, much like that vehicle. The Chevy Camaro and its 1LE derivatives, which are likewise not long for this world, have composure and sharpness that this vehicle lacks, but any dynamic weaknesses are largely unimportant. At Lightning Lap, the Mach 1 was already faster than the SS, and the enhanced Dark Horse is—and this is an important point—actually available for purchase.