Ford's most potent Dark Horse won't gallop to South Africa

Ford Racing has unveiled the Mustang Dark Horse SC, though South African enthusiasts will have to admire it from afar as there are no plans to introduce the model locally.

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The Dark Horse SC represents Ford's most serious attempt yet at challenging European sports cars, drawing heavily from the company's racing programmes. Engineers used the Mustang GT3 and GTD as development benchmarks, testing at demanding circuits including Sebring and Virginia International Raceway to extract every lesson learned at the top of motorsport.

At its heart sits a supercharged 5.2 litre V8 mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Ford has kept the details of power outputs under wraps, but the supercharged engine promises significant gains over the standard Dark Horse while delivering the kind of V8 soundtrack that European rivals have largely abandoned.

The chassis receives comprehensive attention. Next-generation MagneRide dampers work with stiffer springs, new anti-roll bars, revised knuckles and modified control arms. A magnesium strut brace comes as standard, whilst forged suspension links replace steel components to save weight and sharpen steering response. Engineers even reworked the rear suspension geometry and steering components to create flatter, more responsive handling than the naturally aspirated 5.0 litre version.

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An optional Track Pack escalates things considerably. It brings carbon-fibre wheels wearing Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tyres developed specifically for this application, measuring 305/30R20 front and 315/30R20 rear.

The Track Pack also adds Mustang GTD's carbon-ceramic brakes with 16.5 inch front discs, variable traction control with five assistance levels, and a comprehensive aerodynamic package including a ducktail rear deck and revised carbon-fibre wing. The setup generates 280 kilograms of rear downforce at 290 kilometres per hour whilst saving 68 kilograms overall.

The new front fascia improves brake cooling, whilst an aluminium bonnet with functional venting assists powertrain cooling and aerodynamic management. With the rain tray removed, the bonnet vent produces 2.5 times the downforce of the standard Dark Horse.

Orders open in spring 2026 with deliveries following in summer, though pricing remains unannounced.

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