• Mustang Dark Horse is the first new Mustang performance series to be launched in more than two decades, featuring a sinister yet premium exterior and interior styling hinting at the best Mustang performance to date
• Aside from the race-bred and ultra-exclusive Mustang GTD, the Dark Horse is the most capable 5.0-litre V8 street-legal Mustang ever, thanks to improved aerodynamics, upgraded hardware, new software and tuning
• Powered by unique 5.0-litre Coyote V8 engine, specially modified with piston connecting rods first introduced in the Mustang Shelby GT500, plus dual throttle-body intake design to produce 334kW of power and 540Nm of torque

PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA, 25 November 2024 – With sinister looks, tailored aerodynamics and a specially tuned Coyote 5.0-litre V8 engine, the Ford Mustang Dark Horse sets a new benchmark for American street and track performance that could only come in a Mustang.

The Dark Horse is the first new Mustang performance series to be launched in more than two decades, and expands the seventh-generation Mustang line-up with an even more thrilling and driver-focused version of one of the world’s most iconic cars. The last new performance series introduced for the Mustang was the original Bullitt, launched in 2001 for the fourth-generation model in the US.

A special team of Ford engineers, designers and experts worked for more than three years to create the first-ever Mustang Dark Horse, a street and track-capable performance Mustang with striking visual cues and all the capability sports car lovers expect.

“The seventh-generation Mustang builds on the proud heritage and iconic status of this legendary model over the past 60 years, while the Mustang Dark Horse elevates the performance and driving experience to even greater heights,” says Sunil Sewmohan, executive director, Product Marketing at Ford South Africa.

“The Mustang Dark Horse is an exclusive model that looks mean and purposeful, and delivers the thrill and excitement of a thoroughbred V8 sports car, whether driving it on the road or taking it to the track,” Sewmohan says. “As the halo model in the Mustang line-up, the Dark Horse will be a more exclusive offering for our enthusiast customers in South Africa, but it forms part of our normal Mustang line-up and is not a limited-run or special edition version.”

Unique 5.0-litre V8, even more athletic performance

The foundation for Mustang Dark Horse starts with the new seventh-generation Mustang, which has been transformed with a digitally immersive cockpit, a new V8 engine and styling to make it the most exhilarating and fun-to-drive Mustang ever.

“We’ve taken the new Mustang, the best of our new 5.0-litre V8 performance, and added power, improved the aerodynamics, tyres and steering. We also provided an interactive cockpit to create a Mustang that goes beyond any 5.0-litre Mustang before it,” Sewmohan says.

The heart of Mustang Dark Horse is its unique 5.0-litre Coyote V8 engine, specially modified with piston connecting rods first introduced in the 760-horsepower (560kW) Ford Performance Mustang Shelby GT500. This results in peak power of 334kW of power (6kW more than the new Mustang GT), and 540Nm of torque.

Visually differentiated from any 5.0-litre V8 before it, Mustang Dark Horse includes a dual throttle-body intake design to improve engine breathing, accentuated by the open nostrils in the front grille. Mustang Dark Horse comes standard with Ford’s advanced 10-speed automatic transmission with sport paddle shifters for fast and precise shifting – from the highway to the race circuit.

Additional powertrain enhancements were made for performance at the track. Mustang Dark Horse includes brake cooling NACA ducts, an auxiliary engine oil cooler, a rear axle cooler and a unique and lighter-weight radiator with improved cooling capability and more powerful cooling fans to improve endurance and recovery.

The Mustang Dark Horse provides unique chassis tuning, larger rear sway bars and heavy-duty front shocks. Stopping is courtesy of Brembo six-piston callipers with 390mm ventilated discs in front, complemented by Brembo four-piston callipers and 355mm ventilated discs at the rear. Steering response and grip are further enhanced with a new lightweight Ford Performance-designed strut tower brace and K-brace for even better handling and feedback.

Mustang Dark Horse features standard MagneRide^® shocks capable of monitoring wheel and tyre movement 1 000 times per second, optimising performance based on driving surface and driving mode. It puts the impressive torque down without losing traction through a Torsen^® rear differential and standard Pirelli P ZERO™ tyres with staggered sizes (19x9.5-inch front rims fitted with 255/40 R19 tyres, and wider 19x10-inch rims at the rear with 275/40 R19 tyres). Muscular 19-inch Tarnished Dark painted low-gloss aluminium wheels reaffirm the uncompromising performance theme.

As with the Mustang GT, the innovative Performance Electronic Parking Brake is fitted as standard. It unlocks the rear-wheel drive drifting capability of Mustang with the visual appeal and functionality of a traditional, mechanical handbrake.

Another unique Mustang feature is Remote Rev, which debuted on the GT. Linked to the Active Valve Performance Exhaust, the owner can rev the engine from outside the car using the key. This feature will only activate once the engine has reached optimal operating temperature after a cold start. It will initially rev to 2 000 r/min to indicate the feature is active. Thereafter, once the Remote Rev function is activated the engine will rev three times, increasing in revs up to 5 000 r/min.

Driver-focused immersive digital cockpit

The Dark Horse infuses even more performance style and functionality into the seventh-generation Mustang’s technologically advanced, driver-centric cockpit.

A thicker, flat-bottomed steering wheel wrapped in suede and finished with Bright Indigo Blue accent stitching incorporates anodised silver paddle shifters. A dedicated Drive Mode button is at thumb’s reach, allowing drivers to quickly choose the desired driving setup. This sits in front of a 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster with customisable screens including a variety of drive modes: Normal, Sport, Slippery, Drag, Track plus a customisable setting with up to six individual profiles. Each mode features corresponding high-fidelity graphics in the digital instrument panel.

The digital instrument cluster flows seamlessly into a 13.2-inch SYNC^® 4 centre stack behind the same piece of integrated glass, angled towards the driver. Together, these screens create a fully immersive digital experience that emulates a fighter jet cockpit – but in a real-world sports car. The infotainment screen provides access to an extensive range of customisation features and Track Apps, with the theme changing according to the Drive Mode selected. It also includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard. A wireless charger is fitted, along with USB-A and USB-C ports.

Contrasting blue stitching across the door panels and seats (featuring a combination of premium vinyl and suede), the gearshift gaiter and centre console further emphasize the sporty ambience of the cabin, enhanced by unique Deep Indigo blue seatbelts. Interior trim, bezels and vents are finished in Black Alley – a dark metallic gloss replacing the bright silver shades of the standard Mustang GT.

The seats provide six-way electrical adjustment plus heating and cooling functions – the latter will no doubt be appreciated by enthusiast drivers unleashing the dynamic potential of the Dark Horse on the track. The steering wheel is also heated for those chilly winter mornings.

Mustang Dark Horse comes with the latest B&O^® Sound System, providing crisp audio through 12 speakers that includes a subwoofer.

Sophisticated yet functional styling

Mustang Dark Horse carries the most striking visual cues of any new road-going Mustang.

“It’s more than a new name. Dark Horse brings a new design language to Mustang that is refined yet perfectly suited to its dual purpose of street and track performance,” Sewmohan says. “The visual changes, both inside and out, emphasize that Dark Horse has a performance focus. The mechanical changes reinforce the purpose of Dark Horse, providing the driver with increased confidence and competence.”

At the front, a bold, shadow graphic surrounds the darkened LED Tri-Bar headlamps, which compliments a unique gloss black grille with trapezoidal nostrils and lower front bumper with high gloss ‘fangs’ that are unique to the Mustang Dark Horse. Lower side skirts and, to the rear, a fixed rear wing, new race-inspired diffuser and darkened quad exhaust tips demonstrate the car’s track-focused design cues.

Unique Mustang Dark Horse badges were designed for this performance version of Mustang to visually separate it from other models. The badges are placed on the fenders, trunk and door sills, while a dark, anodised version of the famous pony remains on the front. “This is the first time for Mustang that we’ve ever had a forward-facing horse on a Mustang,” Sewmohan says. “It’s aggressive, a bit sinister and it’s coming from the shadows head-on to win.”

Inside, exclusive “MUSTANG DARK HORSE” badging is featured on the instrument panel and digital display screens, and each car features an individual chassis number badge.

An exclusive colour available only on the Mustang Dark Horse equipped with the optional Appearance Pack is Blue Ember metallic, a cool, dark shade that emits a warm glow when it catches the light, setting the tone for the car’s overall look. The Appearance Package is a no-cost option that includes additional blue accents on the seats, a black-painted roof and unique hood graphics, along with dark Notorious Blue Brembo brake callipers with Grabber Blue Brembo and Mustang logos.

The Dark Horse is also available in the following colours without the Appearance Pack: solid colours Race Red and Oxford White, and metallic hues comprising Atlas Blue, Carbonized Grey and Dark Matter Grey.

Exceptional safety

Mustang Dark Horse shares the impressive level of standard safety features introduced with the recently launched Mustang GT. The comprehensive list of driver assist technologies includes Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go, Lane Centring Assist, Evasive Steer Assist, Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection, Automatic Emergency Braking, Reverse Brake Assist, Speed Sign Recognition, and the obligatory ABS with Electronic Brake Assist and Electronic Stability Programme with Traction Control.

Active Pothole Mitigation, which is included with the MagneRide active suspension, continually monitors suspension, body, steering and braking input and adjusts suspension response accordingly.

A total of seven airbags are fitted, comprising dual front, side and curtain airbags, along with a passenger knee airbag. A Thatcham-specification alarm is standard along with an immobiliser, with remote central locking including passive entry and push-button start.

Pricing (includes VAT):

-        Mustang Dark Horse 5.0L V8 10AT                                       R1 500 000

The recommended Retail Price includes a 6-year/90 000km Ford Optional Service Plan, four-year/120 000km Ford warranty, four-year/unlimited distance Roadside Assistance and five-year/unlimited distance corrosion warranty. The recommended service interval is 15 000km or annually, whichever occurs first. In addition, over the counter parts (OTC) and service parts warranty (SPW) are covered for two years/unlimited distance.

Customers have the option of purchasing Ford Protect Service or Maintenance Plan upgrades up to eight years or 165 000km. The warranty can be extended up to seven years or 200 000km, while the Roadside Assistance can be extended for an additional one or two years.