The all-new Darkish Horse model of the long-lasting pony automotive is the primary new Mustang efficiency sequence automotive in 21 years. It arrives with probably the most highly effective eight-cylinder engine in a Mustang to date – at the very least till a Shelby mannequin is launched for this present technology, though that hasn’t been confirmed but.
The Ford Mustang Darkish Horse ought to turn into an on the spot icon due to its meaner look in addition to its 5.0-liter Coyote V8, which has been upgraded to provide 500 horsepower on this software. And, in response to the automaker, when geared up with the obtainable Dealing with Bundle, that is probably the most track-capable, street-legal 5.0-liter V8 ‘Stang ever.
Together with the uprated engine, the Darkish Horse is bred for the race observe with higher aerodynamics, improved cooling, larger brakes, MagneRide shocks, obtainable carbon fiber wheels, and even a unique handbook transmission than what goes in an everyday Mustang. To seek out out if the Darkish Horse is an sufficient alternative for the Mach 1, Ford flew us out to Charlotte, North Carolina, to drive it out on the highway and on a race observe.
Exterior: Going To The Darkish Facet
You’ll be able to spot a Darkish Horse by way of its distinctive entrance finish with shadow graphics under the headlights. Ford does not have an official identify for this look, however we predict it is harking back to the attention black grease that soccer gamers put on to keep away from glare, and it makes the Darkish Horse look much more menacing. Different visible enhancements embody model-specific 19-inch wheel designs, obtainable painted racing strips, a hood vent, a rear decklid spoiler, and the primary front-facing horse logos ever placed on a Mustang. Consumers can get a efficiency rear spoiler with a gurney flap on Premium trims, and carbon fiber wheels are optionally available throughout the vary – however the latter will not be obtainable at launch.
When it comes to colours, Ford did not skimp. There are some superb hues, together with Race Crimson, Grabber Blue Metallic, and the Darkish Horse-only Blue Ember Metallic, which comes as a part of a $1,500 Look Bundle. Although it is not fairly as colourful, the color-shifting Blue Ember hue captures the spirit of the Mystichrome paint job on the SVT Cobra.
Inside: Select Your Saddle
The Darkish Horse’s cabin is not too drastically completely different from the Mustang GT. That is already on the higher finish of what you may anticipate from a Mustang inside, although there’s a Darkish Horse Premium trim that dials up the luxurious a bit. All Darkish Horses get a 13.2-inch SYNC 4 infotainment system, which is intuitive to make use of however eliminates too many bodily controls for our liking. Previously easy duties like elevating the fan velocity now require the touchscreen, taking your consideration off the highway. The 12.4 instrument cluster could also be considered one of our favorites, providing shade customization and several other modes, together with one which replicates Fox Physique gauges from the third technology.
The bottom mannequin will get material bucket seats that are heated as customary, and on the Premium trim, air flow is added. In each fashions, the seats are power-adjustable. Recaro suede sport seats may be optioned on for the total expertise, though these are manually adjustable. The usual buckets are way more snug on lengthy journeys, however the latter have extra bolstering to maintain you held in on the observe.
Efficiency: Unbridled 5.0
In all probability, this would be the final V8-powered Mustang, so Ford needs to ship the Coyote motor off with a bang. It will get new cast connecting rods from the GT500, a twin throttle-body consumption, and a specifically balanced crankshaft. The outcomes converse for themselves: 500 hp, 418 lb-ft of torque, and a 0-60 mph time underneath 4 seconds. Ford even swapped out the Getrag-sourced six-speed handbook transmission used within the Mustang GT in favor of the superior Tremec ‘field from the GT350. Choosing the handbook within the Darkish Horse additionally nets a cool blue shifter created from titanium. In fact, which will sear your palm if left sitting within the solar. A ten-speed computerized transmission can be obtainable for consumers chasing peak efficiency.
As regards to dealing with, the Darkish Horse will get customary MagneRide suspension, which was a standout characteristic on the outgoing Mustang. Stopping energy is offered by large 19-inch Brembo six-piston calipers up entrance, pinching 13.9-inch rotors. Staggered Pirelli P Zero tires come customary, however an optionally available Dealing with Bundle swaps them for even wider Pirelli Trofeo rubber. That bundle additionally consists of stiffer springs, bigger sway bars, and an built-in gurney flap.
To verify it holds up on a observe, the Darkish Horse comes with NACA ducts for the brakes, an auxiliary engine oil cooler, a rear axle cooler, and a light-weight radiator with stronger cooling followers.
Driving Impressions: One Quick Stallion
Choosing up the place the Mach 1 left off, the the Darkish Horse treads on the acute aspect of road-focused Mustang efficiency. The MagneRide suspension is tuned firmly, transmitting each little highway imperfection to the motive force. When you’re searching for a snug each day cruiser, this is not it. Even within the softest suspension setting, the Darkish Horse bounces round a bit, although it isn’t too jarring. We drove a regular automotive out on the road and did not discover a lot noise from the usual P Zero tires. The optionally available Recaro seats match our body effectively, although they may begin to really feel tight on an extended highway journey. When you plan to cowl plenty of freeway miles, keep on with the bottom seats.
Steering really feel has by no means been a standout Mustang characteristic, however all steering modes have ample suggestions with fast response. Ford supplies three steering weights – Regular, Feather Mild, and Sport – although we could not detect an incredible distinction between them. The exhaust modes, then again, take the 5.0L from a boring growl to a deafening roar. Automated fashions get a hilarious Distant Rev characteristic that allows you to rev the engine proper from the important thing fob. The 5.0-liter V8 sounds large, although it lacks the caged animal madness of the GT350’s Voodoo motor.
Monitor Impressions: Race Horse
For our stint across the Charlotte Motor Speedway, we swapped right into a automotive with the Dealing with Bundle that has wider, stickier Trofeo tires. The usual P Zero measures 255 within the entrance and 275 within the rear, however the Trofeos up the sizes to 305 within the entrance and 315 within the rear. This is similar width because the GT500, which produces 760 hp. With “solely” 500 hp on faucet, the Darkish Horse has an incredible quantity of grip, providing you with the arrogance to hustle it by way of high-speed corners. As a result of it is naturally aspirated, the V8 pulls exhausting proper to its 7,500-rpm redline with a linear energy band that is predictable and straightforward to handle. Hitting the banking, the MagneRide dampers hold the automotive flat and underneath management, justifying their stiffness out on the highway.
We began with the 10-speed computerized automotive and ended up preferring it for observe responsibility. The transmission rips shifts, even with out utilizing the paddle shifters, and we by no means caught it sleeping in too excessive or low of a gear. The Tremec handbook can be nice, providing a crisp shift that the GT’s Getrag ‘field can’t match. Rev matching is ideal to the purpose the place we utterly ignored heel-toe downshifts. You’ll be faster within the computerized automotive however you might need a bit extra enjoyable with the handbook.
Pricing & Verdict: A Thoroughbred ‘Stang
It ought to come as no shock that the Darkish Horse is the costliest Mustang mannequin, at the very least for now, beginning at $59,270, excluding vacation spot and different charges. You possibly can avoid wasting money by buying Mustang GT Premium with the Efficiency Pack for $53,605 all-in, nevertheless it’s much less highly effective and fewer aggressive. The Darkish Horse Premium is pricier, beginning at $63,265, and it may crest above $80 grand in case you add each choice. That is greater than what the outgoing thoroughbred Mustang Shelby GT500 prices.
The Darkish Horse completely has the efficiency pedigree to again up the worth, nevertheless it now overlaps with European choices just like the BMW M2. Ford should not have any bother promoting this automotive to diehard Blue Oval lovers and newly minted Mustang lovers alike, particularly for the reason that Chevy Camaro and Dodge Challenger can be gone after 2023.
With the V8 muscle automotive not lengthy for this world, the Darkish Horse represents the ultimate send-off for the 5.0-liter Mustang efficiency. At the very least for now, it is the last word Mustang within the lineup, however we’ve got a sense Ford nonetheless has yet one more horse within the secure within the type of a giant-killing Shelby.