Whether it’s the Mustang EcoBoost with its 315 horsepower or the Mustang GTD boasting more than 800 horsepower, there’s something for every taste and every budget in the lineup of the legendary American sports car. Well, that was almost the case until recently, as Ford has now filled the gap left by the departure of the last GT500 with the brand-new Mustang Dark Horse SC.
Ford gets straight to the point here, as the letters SC simply stand for Supercharged. However, this new variant of the American sports car is much more than a Mustang Dark Horse with a supercharger added. In its regular form, the model is powered by a 5.0-liter V8, while the Dark Horse SC features a 5.2-liter V8 under the hood, bringing it closer to the Mustang GTD. It is essentially the same engine found in the Ford F-150 Raptor R.
Raw Power
The exact output of the Mustang Dark Horse SC has not yet been confirmed, but expectations are for something north of 700 horsepower. Still, raw power isn’t the only attraction here. This new version of the Ford Mustang benefits from a MagneRide suspension system, several aerodynamic components, and a more aggressive hood. The American sports car even offers a track package featuring carbon-ceramic brakes, carbon-fiber wheels, and Michelin Cup 2 R tires. Recaro seats and a carbon-fiber rear wing are also part of the package.
Interestingly, this new variant of the Mustang is equipped with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, a setup not offered with any other powertrain in the Mustang lineup.
For the Road and the Track
The Mustang Dark Horse SC may not be as extreme as the Mustang GTD, but it fills an important gap in the lineup of the legendary American sports car. It offers greater flexibility in terms of options and borrows several key elements from the Mustang GTD. It certainly won’t come cheap, but its price should be significantly more accessible than that of the GTD, which could make the Mustang Dark Horse SC a very popular and highly appreciated model among brand loyalists.
Jean-Sébastien Poudrier
