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Ford Mustang Dark Horse SC unveiled as a Shelby GT500 replacement

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Ford Mustang Dark Horse SC unveiled as a Shelby GT500 replacement

Ford Racing, the division responsible for creating the flagship Mustang GTD, has now unveiled the Mustang Dark Horse SC. Revealed as a successor to the erstwhile Shelby GT500, the Dark Horse SC will be slotted just below the GTD in the Mustang lineup when it enters the US market this summer. The new Ford Mustang Dark Horse SC will be available in Standard and Track Pack versions, and will rival the likes of the Chevrolet Corvette Z06 and Porsche 911 GT3.

  1. The Dark Horse SC will get a 5.2-litre supercharged V8
  2. Will be available in Standard and Track Pack versions
  3. Customer deliveries in the US expected in Q3 2026

Ford Mustang Dark Horse SC exterior

The menacing-looking design combines form and function.

Ford Mustang Dark Horse SC Track Pack front third

To optimise aerodynamics and cooling of all its mechanical components, the new Mustang Dark Horse SC is adorned with vents and intakes. The main grille on the aggressively styled front fascia is flanked by prominent air-intake scoops, with the grille's hexagonal pattern extending below the bumper and replicated on the central air dam. Meanwhile, the front bumper houses honeycomb-designed air intakes and a protruding front splitter, with even more air channels found, nestled beside the tri-beam LED headlights.

Ford Mustang Dark Horse SC exterior static

Compared to the regular Mustang Dark Horse, the new Dark Horse SC edition’s all-aluminium bonnet comes with pronounced carbon-fibre ventage. Ford claims that, with its rain tray underneath removed, this vent design is capable of providing 2.5 times more downforce. Accompanying the flared fenders are aggressive side skirts, a fixed rear decklid spoiler and quad-exhaust pipes. Upgrading to the Track Pack means a large carbon-fibre wing, a ducktail spoiler at the back, underbody venting, and a comprehensive rear diffuser, producing 281 kilogrammes of combined downforce at around 290 km/h.

Ford Mustang Dark Horse SC Track Pack rear third

The Track Pack comes with 20-inch carbon-fibre wheels wrapped in upgraded Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tyres, over the Pirelli P Zero R tyres of the standard Dark Horse SC and its aluminium-alloy wheels. It also gets lightweight Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes with teal calipers. Such measures have resulted in the Mustang Dark Horse SC Track Pack weighing a claimed 68 kilogrammes less than the standard version. Rounding off the exterior is a menacing-looking ‘horse face’ emblem on the bootlid, with white and teal highlights on the SC and SC Track Pack, respectively.

Ford Mustang Dark Horse SC interior highlights

The Dark Horse SC will share the general design and layout of the flagship GTD.

Ford Mustang Dark Horse Track Pack interior

The driver-oriented dashboard and centre stack layout of the GTD will be carried over to the new Dark Horse SC. The latest Mustang will also get the flat-bottom steering wheel from the former, with its paddle shifters and distinct centred position marker. Where the standard version gets sports seats along with carbon-fibre and Alcantara trim, the Track Pack will feature Recaro seats upholstered in part-leather and suede with chunky side bolsters.

Ford Mustang Dark Horse SC gear selector

There will also be red stitching on the centre console, steering wheel and seats. In keeping with its exterior, the Track Pack version scores teal highlights on the seats and a few other surfaces. Ford has also removed the rear seats from this version to reduce weight, offering a storage shelf instead. The Mustang Dark Horse SC will get connected dual-digital screens, physical controls for the automatic climate control system, drive modes and active exhaust. There will also be a wireless charger, Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, and a heated steering wheel with reach & rake adjustment.

Ford Mustang Dark Horse SC: Engine specifications and drive features

A supercharged V8 will be central to the Dark Horse SC’s story.

Ford Mustang Dark Horse SC hood

The 5.2-litre supercharged V8 engine from the Mustang GTD will power the new Dark Horse SC as well. It will be paired with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, similar to the unit found in the Shelby GT500. However, Ford has not officially revealed the power and torque figures of this new Mustang. For perspective, this 5.2-litre powerplant produces 815hp in the GTD, whilst in the Shelby GT500, it developed 760hp.

Ford Mustang Dark Horse SC Track Pack Brembo brakes

Like in the GTD, the new Mustang Dark Horse SC will come with Ford’s Variable Traction Control system. It allows drivers to choose between five different levels of traction, while also being able to fully turn off the electronic stability control. Helping slow down the Dark Horse SC are carbon-ceramic brakes by Brembo with six-piston front and four-piston rear calipers.

“It is a high-powered Mustang that I don’t think the world saw coming, but it is exactly what happens when you let racing engineers design a road car,” said Arie Groeneveld, Chief Program Engineer, Ford Performance.

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Neue Klasse BMW 4 Series to be offered in petrol, EV and M guises

F1 2026: New Red Bull-Ford livery revealed

Renault Filante revealed as brand’s new flagship SUV



from Autocar India https://ift.tt/AGSFl2V

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