WITH more menacing looks and a modified 5,0-litre V8, the most powerful naturally aspirated Mustang so far, the Mustang Dark Horse will be coming to South Africa.
This beast comes hot on the heels of the imminent launch of the iconic Mustang GT.
As the first new Mustang performance series to be launched in more than two decades, the Dark Horse expands the line-up with an even more thrilling and driver-focused version of one of the world’s most iconic cars and sets a new benchmark for American street and track performance that could only come in a Mustang.
The last new performance series introduced for the Mustang was the original Bullitt, launched in 2001 for the fourth-generation model in America.
A special team of Ford engineers, designers and experts worked for more than three years to create the first-ever Mustang Dark Horse, a street and track-capable performance Mustang with striking visual cues and all the capability sports car lovers expect.
Ford South Africa’s Product Marketing executive director Sunil Sewmohan said the seventh-generation Mustang builds on the proud heritage and iconic status of this legendary model over the past 60 years.
“The Mustang Dark Horse elevates the performance and driving experience to even greater heights,” said Sewmohan.
Unique 5.0-litre V8, Even More Athletic Performance
The foundation for Mustang Dark Horse starts with the new seventh-generation Mustang, which has been transformed with a digitally immersive cockpit, a new V8 engine and styling to make it the most exhilarating and fun-to-drive Mustang ever.
“We’ve taken the new Mustang, the best of our new 5.0-litre V8 performance, and added power, improved the aero, tyres, steering and provided an interactive cockpit to create a Mustang that goes beyond any 5.0-litre Mustang before it,” said Sewmohan.
The heart of Mustang Dark Horse is its unique 5.0-litre Coyote V8 engine, specially modified with piston connecting rods first introduced in the 760-horsepower (560kW) Ford Performance Mustang Shelby GT500.
Mustang Dark Horse will deliver the highest level of performance in the new Mustang family, developing 334kW of power (6kW more than the Mustang GT) and 540Nm of torque.
It provides unique chassis tuning, larger rear sway bars and heavy-duty front shocks. Stopping is courtesy of 19-inch Brembo front six piston brakes with 13,9-inch rotors.
Steering response and grip are further enhanced with a new lightweight Ford Performance-designed strut tower brace and K-brace for even better handling and feedback.
Mustang Dark Horse features standard MagneRide® shocks capable of monitoring wheel and tyre movement 1 000 times per second, optimizing performance based on driving surface and driving mode. It puts the impressive torque down without losing traction through a Torsen® rear differential and standard Pirelli P ZERO™ tyres with staggered sizes (19×9.5-inch front and 19×10-inch rear tyres).
Muscular 19-inch Tarnished Dark painted low-gloss aluminum wheels reaffirm the uncompromising performance theme.
Driver-Focused Immersive Digital Cockpit
The Dark Horse infuses even more performance style and functionality into the seventh-generation car’s technologically advanced, driver-centric cockpit.
A thicker, flat-bottomed steering wheel wrapped in suede and finished with Bright Indigo Blue accent stitching incorporates anodised silver paddle shifters.
A dedicated Drive Mode button is at thumb’s reach, allowing drivers to quickly choose the desired driving setup. This sits in front of a 12,4-inch digital instrument cluster with customisable screens including a variety of drive modes: Normal, Sport, Slippery, Drag, Track plus a customisable setting with up to six individual profiles. Each mode features corresponding high-fidelity graphics in the digital instrument panel.
The digital instrument cluster flows seamlessly into a 13,2-inch SYNC® 4 centre stack behind the same piece of integrated glass, angled towards the driver. Together, these screens create a fully immersive digital experience that emulates a fighter jet cockpit – but in a real-world sports car.
Contrasting blue stitching across the door panels and seats, gear shift gaiter and centre console lift the ambience of the cabin, enhanced further by unique blue seatbelts.
Interior trim, bezels and vents are finished in Black Alley – a dark metallic gloss replacing the familiar bright silver shades of the standard Mustang GT.
Mustang Dark Horse also comes with the latest B&O® Sound System, providing crisp audio through 12 speakers including a subwoofer.
“This is the first time for Mustang that we’ve ever had a forward-facing horse. It’s aggressive, a bit sinister and it’s coming from the shadows head-on to win,” said Sewmohan.
Unique to Mustang Dark Horse is Blue Ember metallic paint, a cool, dark shade that emits a warm glow when it catches the light, setting the tone for the car’s overall look.
A special Appearance Package that is exclusively offered with this colour includes additional blue accents on the seats, a black-painted roof and unique hood graphics, along with dark Notorious Blue Brembo brake calipers with a Grabber Blue logo.
Pricing (includes VAT):
The Mustang Dark Horse 5.0L V8 10AT goes for R1 500 000.
The recommended Retail Price includes a 6-year/90 000km Ford Optional Service Plan, four-year/120 000km Ford warranty, four-year/unlimited distance Roadside Assistance and five-year/unlimited distance corrosion warranty.
The recommended service interval is 15 000km or annually, whichever occurs first. In addition, over the counter parts (OTC) and service parts warranty (SPW) are covered for two years/unlimited distance.
