The brutal Ford Mustang Dark Horse does not come alone: there will also be a Mustang competing at Le Mans
Published by The team in News the 17/09/2022 at 14:45
The seventh generation of the Mustang stays true to its essence and for now its most aggressive side is personified by the Ford Mustang Dark Horse , which debuts as a high-performance variant taking over from the Bullit .
The Mustang Dark Horse benefits from a more aggressive combination, technical goodies and a powerful 500 hp V8: ideal ingredients to press it on the circuit even if it is homologated for the road.
But based on this even sportier variant, we find the Dark Horse S and Dark Horse R: two competition variants that accompany the pony car born for private racing.
They are not the only ones. Ford will launch four other racing Mustangs based on this new installment: the GT3, GT4, NASCAR and NHRA Factory X, which it has already revealed in several published photos. And there is more because with this new delivery the Mustang returns to Le Mans 25 years later.
This is the Ford Mustang Black Horse
Over three years have taken the Oval brand to develop the Ford Mustang Black Horse , which is seasoned with the Handling Package to deliver great fun on the asphalt.
Starting with what is not visible, this variant has the Coyote V8 engine of 5.0 liters and 500 hp specially modified for the occasion.
All of its power is transmitted to the rear axle through a Tremec six-speed manual gearbox , which has also been tuned for this Black Horse Mustang, or a 10-speed sequential automatic gearbox.
In order to go all the way, the engine cooling has been improved, with a larger radiator with more generous fans or an auxiliary oil cooler. But it also has optimized cooling for the brakes or the rear axle.
The chassis of the Ford Mustang Black Horse has been reinforced with wider stabilizer bars and on the menu there is also a Torsen rear differential or the MagneRide suspension, which makes it more stable in high-speed corners and under braking.
Aerodynamic elements are not lacking either, such as the oversized rear spoiler with Gurney Flap, in line with the Ford GT, or Brembo brakes with 19-inch discs and six pistons.
All this comes with a differential aesthetic with the exclusive Blue Embe blue for the bodywork (although there are more colors available), as well as a gloss black grille, more generous cooling openings, the rear diffuser which incorporates quad tailpipes or even the Dark Horse emblems spread across its face.
And in addition, this Mustang Dark Horse can be equipped later with Carbon Revolution carbon fiber wheels (this is the first time that the pony car offers this option), to save a few pounds in total.
Inside the cabin we also find differential elements, such as a sports steering wheel , with a thicker and flatter rim in the lower area, which is covered in Alcantara with contrasting blue stitching.
The upholstery of the sports seats is also exclusive, with blue accents, which combine with various dark metallic trim or the stitching of this shade present in several of its panels.
At the technological level, we find the same ingredients as the Mustang, such as digital instrumentation or even the 12.4-inch and 13.2-inch multimedia display, but with specific interfaces. Although it also equips the B&O audio system, with up to 12 speakers and a subwoofer.
The Dark Horse S and Dark Horse R for competition and the GT3 back at Le Mans
This Ford Mustang Black Horse has two competition variants as shields, which also become the first racing versions of this new chapter of the North American model: the Dark Horse S and the Dark Horse R.
Both derive from the Black Horse Street, but with competition elements and without unnecessary comforts. Thus, its passenger compartment has been emptied, it has a single central panel to operate the controls or even the FIA-approved roll bar.
There is no shortage of racing harnesses or a competition steering wheel, as well as a fire extinguisher or systems such as the speed limiter to enter the pits or another to display data and parameters. As an option, the passenger seat can be removed.
All of these are combined with the usual performance-oriented ones, such as an adjustable rear spoiler , racing brakes and exhaust system or Multimatic DSSV shock absorbers that allow the height and camber of the car to be varied.
The Ford Mustang Dark Horse S and Dark Horse R share all of these ingredients, being virtually the same except the second has an extra tank and Ford Performance Parts wheels. The Dark Horse S is more focused on customer races and the Dark Horse R for teams.
These two racing thoroughbreds open the door to the Mustang competition family, along with four other members, and it will also mean the return of the Ford Mustang to the 24 Hours of Le Mans .
It will be the Ford Mustang GT3 which will return to this mythical meeting of the World Endurance Championship. Although there is still plenty to see in action, as Ford expects it to debut in 2024. It will also do the same at the 24 Hours of Daytona.
Developed by Ford Performance and Multimatic, Ford is currently revealing its mechanics: a 5.4-litre V8 is based on Black Horse's Coyote block.
Before that, the Mustang GT4 will arrive, which will debut next year in this category in the MSA, SRO and FIA GT. And later, models for the NASCAR Cup and NHRA Factory X will also appear.
