It has been a challenging year for car enthusiasts, especially those who appreciate powerful engines. Many beloved American cars have been retired, except for one. Ford announced that the Mustang will be returning for a seventh generation with its most powerful V8 yet. This car aims to be the ultimate driver’s car and stand as the only remaining racing car from the Big Three automakers. The question is if it can live up to everyone’s expectations.
Full Disclosure: Ford invited me and other journalists to Charlotte, North Carolina to experience the 2024 Mustang Dark Horse on the track and surrounding roads. They covered our flights, accommodations, and provided us with plenty of excitement. Please refer to other articles by my colleague for information on the Ecoboost and GT models. From here on out, this portion is for those who have a lot of money and a thirst for thrills.
So, what is the 2024 Mustang Dark Horse? It is powered by a 5.0-liter V8 Coyote engine with 500 horsepower. This is more powerful than the GT model. It can be equipped with either a Tremec TR2160 six-speed manual or a Ford 10-speed automatic transmission. Power is distributed to the rear wheels through a Torsen limited-slip rear axle. The Dark Horse offers two configurations: Standard and Handling. The Handling package includes wider wheels and summer-only Pirelli Trofeo tires.
The Dark Horse stands out with its aggressive design. It features a black-gloss lower front bumper with larger grille “nostrils”, lower side skirts, and a slightly more tapered rear. It comes with the unique Blue Ember metallic paint and the Dark Horse Appearance Package, which includes Recaro seats, black suede with Indigo Blue bolsters, and a blue titanium shift knob.
On the track at Charlotte Motor Speedway, the Dark Horse showcased its performance capabilities. I started with the manual Dark Horse equipped with the Handling Package. Once I got used to the track and the car, I had a blast shifting gears and hearing the 5.0L engine roar. The no-lift shifting feature allowed for seamless up-shifting while keeping my foot on the gas. The car remained planted on the track, providing a confident and enjoyable driving experience.
I also tried the automatic Dark Horse equipped with paddle shifters. Although I struggled to shift through the 10 gears on my own, the automatic transmission proved to be efficient and helped me navigate the track with ease. I even reached a top speed of 113 mph during my time with the automatic.
Whether it’s manual or automatic, the Dark Horse makes it easy to reach high speeds. The car’s performance capabilities, combined with its chassis tuning and advanced features, make it a track-focused machine that assists drivers and boosts their confidence.