Ford rolled out a surprise at the reveal of the seventh generation Mustang in Detroit, with the debut of the mean-looking Dark Horse. Basically a factory modified GT, it’s packing a 5.0-litre Coyote with a ‘projected’ output of 500hp. Yeah baby. And the good news, it’ll be made available in NZ too.
Ford is calling it a ‘street and track-capable performance Mustang with striking visual cues and all the capability sports car lovers expect’.
They are not giving too much away as to how they gained the extra power for the Dark Horse other than saying it has the same con rods as the GT500 and a dual throttle-body intake.
It comes standard with a six-speed Tremec manual trans, complete with its own oil cooler, and the stick is topped with a 3D-printed titanium shift ball. You can opt for the 10-speed auto too if you want.
To make sure it stays the course at the race track, the Dark Horse gains extra brake cooling ducts, an additional engine oil cooler, a rear axle cooler and an uprated radiator with more powerful cooling fans.
The Magneride dampers get their own DH tune, larger rear sway bars and heavy-duty front shocks. Brembo rotors measuring 353mm up front do the stopping, clamped on by six piston calipers while the addition of a Ford Performance-designed strut tower brace and K-brace is said to improve steering response further. There is a Torsen LSD and the 19-inch wheels wear Pirelli P Zero rubber.
There’s an optional Handling Package which improves aerodynamics, upping the downforce with a rear wing that incorporates a Gurney Flap. This pack also includes stiffer spring rates, even sturdier front and rear roll bars and wider wheels fitted with Pirelli Trofeo tyres.
Along with its unique exterior styling detail, including a new horse badge, the interior gets new blue contrast details.About the Dark Horse, Ford NZ says; With the introduction of the seventh-generation Mustang, Ford New Zealand will add an exciting new special edition nameplate to the Mustang stable, Dark Horse. Dark Horse will set a new benchmark for New Zealand street and track performance. Further specs and information will be released closer to local launch.
