Mustang Dark Horse SC Brings GTD-Derived Power
Ford has pulled the wraps off the power figures for the Mustang Dark Horse SC, and the headline number lands exactly where enthusiasts hoped it would. This is the most powerful version of the current Dark Horse, now backed by a familiar engine with a noticeable bump in output. Under the hood sits the 5.2-liter supercharged Predator V8, the same powerplant that powered the last Shelby GT500 and currently serves duty in the Mustang GTD.
This time, it comes with a higher ceiling, rated at 795 horsepower and 660 pound-feet of torque. That figure edges past the previous GT500, giving the Dark Horse SC a clear performance identity within the current Mustang lineup. It also reinforces how much Ford continues to lean on proven hardware while refining its delivery.
Familiar Hardware With Refined Execution
Power delivery follows a known formula. Like the GT500, the Dark Horse SC sends power to the rear wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission sourced from Tremec. It is a deliberate choice that keeps the driving experience sharp and consistent with what made the GT500 effective. It also separates the car from the Mustang GTD, which uses an eight-speed version of the Tremec DCT.
A Hardcore Dark Horse
That 795 horsepower comes from a 5.2-liter supercharged Predator V8 featuring an Eaton TVS R2650 blower. Performance estimates place the car under the 3.0-second mark from 0 to 60 mph. Power is managed through a Tremec seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, paired with steering wheel-mounted performance controls that keep the driver fully engaged when pushing the car.
For those opting into the Track Pack, the upgrades are substantial. Carbon-fiber wheels, massive 16.5-inch Brembo carbon-ceramic front brakes, and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires sharpen the car’s track intent, while a rear seat delete trims roughly 150 pounds. Aerodynamic improvements include a large carbon-fiber rear wing capable of producing 620 pounds of downforce at 180 mph, along with a functional hood vent that generates 2.5 times the downforce of the standard Dark Horse setup. Supporting it all is a revised suspension system with next-generation MagneRide dampers, firmer springs, and updated knuckles designed to improve stability and response.
Performance Value In A Different League
Pricing puts the Dark Horse SC in an interesting spot. The base car starts at $103,490, with the Track Pack pushing that figure to $139,990. For buyers looking for the most aggressive version, the Track Pack Special Edition comes in at $170,970 (more details to come on what’s included in the special edition).
Even at its highest trim, it sits well below the Mustang GTD, which starts around $328,000, and the GTD Competition that is surely to be even higher. The gap is significant, especially when comparing output. The horsepower number for the Dark Horse SC is just 20 less than the GTD’s… but at a third of the cost! Even the fully loaded Track Pack Special Edition lands at about half the price of a base GTD.
A Dark Horse SC For The Streets
That comparison comes with a clear tradeoff. The GTD’s advanced suspension system is a major part of its performance capability, especially on a track like the Nurburgring Nordschleife, where it managed to outperform the Corvette ZR1’s benchmark lap. That level of engineering is not part of the Dark Horse SC package. Still, the numbers speak for themselves. The Dark Horse SC brings near-flagship power into a range that feels far more attainable, all while sticking to a formula that has already proven it works.
