CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Ford is fast to level out that the Darkish Horse is a brand-new mannequin for the Mustang lineup, and never a direct successor to vehicles just like the Boss 302, Bullitt, Mach 1 or Shelby GT350. It’s “the horse you didn’t see coming,” in response to one government. However after spending time with the 2024 Ford Mustang Darkish Horse on street and observe in North Carolina, boy, this one positive feels acquainted.
The Darkish Horse builds off the brand new Mustang GT we have already reviewed, and it makes use of the identical naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 engine, albeit with some significant modifications. Stronger camshafts, a balanced crankshaft and cast connecting rods make the Coyote V8 engine higher in a position to face up to observe abuse, and a twin throttle-body consumption and bigger nostrils within the grille enhance airflow. Mixed with a small ECU tweak, the Darkish Horse places out 500 horsepower at 7,250 rpm and 418 pound-feet of torque at 4,900 rpm.
In comparison with a Mustang GT with the optionally available active-valve exhaust, the Darkish Horse is up 14 hp, however has an similar quantity of torque. But below exhausting acceleration, the Darkish Horse does really feel faster. The large V8 is best in a position to suck in cool air, making the 5.0-liter engine extra wanting to rev to its 7,500-rpm redline. Ford doesn’t have any official 0-to-60-mph acceleration occasions, however from behind the wheel, I promise, the Darkish Horse is a little more alive.
After all, a whole lot of that visceral sense of velocity may come right down to the extra pronounced exhaust word, bellowing out from dark-finished quad suggestions. This automobile sounds nice; 10 out of 10, no notes. I may hearken to it rev to its redline ceiling all day lengthy and by no means get bored.
Ford presents the Mustang Darkish Horse with a quick-shifting 10-speed computerized transmission, however please, get the six-speed handbook as an alternative. This isn’t a carryover gearbox from the Mustang GT; it’s the Tremec TR-3160 transmission you may bear in mind from the Shelby GT350, and my goodness, it’s a peach. Not solely is the clutch the correct quantity of heavy with a clearly communicated take-up level, the motion of the shifter itself is tactile satisfaction to the max. Particular props go to the 3D-printed titanium shift knob, which is completely sized and funky to the contact. It’s an expertise you gained’t come near matching with the 10-speed auto’s crap-tastic plastic paddles.
The handbook transmission has the identical driver aids you’ll discover within the Mustang GT, which means there’s no-lift upshifting, which is nice for exhausting launches, and computerized rev-matching downshifts. Sure, you may flip the latter off if you would like, however I like leaving it on. This makes the Mustang so much smoother to drive within the metropolis once you’re caught in crummy visitors, and the downshifting logic is tremendous sensible, so that you’ll be within the coronary heart of a decrease gear prior to in case you have been to heel-and-toe by yourself.
Beefier entrance shocks and a brand new rear sway bar set the Darkish Horse’s chassis aside from the lesser Mustang GT, together with the usual fitment of Ford’s glorious MagneRide adaptive dampers. That stated, the experience high quality is unquestionably stiff, even once you’re driving in the usual (“Regular”) driving mode. Alongside North Carolina’s nation backroads, the MagneRide suspension does a pleasant job of protecting the Darkish Horse steady and planted, however you actually do really feel each little imperfection. Not less than this factor doesn’t tramline like loopy, à la the Shelby GT350.
The usual 19-inch wheels are staggered in width, measuring 9.5 inches up entrance and 10.0 inches round again. These wheels come wrapped in Pirelli P Zero summer season tires, behind which you will discover six-piston entrance Brembo brakes with 15.3-inch rotors, and four-piston rear stoppers with 13.9-inch rotors. These brakes are implausible, and higher in a position to withstand fade. Oh, and talking of brakes, the very cool Drift Brake from different Mustang fashions is optionally available on the Darkish Horse, in case you’re eager to get your slide on.
In its commonplace configuration, the Darkish Horse is enjoyable to drive, but imperfect. Like the opposite 2024 Mustangs, the steering wants work. It’s too mild and numb on heart, and it feels overboosted on turn-in. Sure, the Darkish Horse responds rapidly to inputs, however there’s no sense of communication between the steering wheel and the tires, and that’s true no matter driving mode.
Spring for the Darkish Horse’s $4,995 Dealing with Bundle and the steering is just a little higher, largely because of the broader contact patches of the ten.5-inch entrance and 11.0-inch rear Pirelli Trofeo R tires. This package deal additionally provides stiffer springs and bigger sway bars, together with a singular rear spoiler that has an built-in Gurney flap. It’s a worthwhile addition in case you plan on monitoring the Darkish Horse. These fancy-shmancy carbon fiber wheels are nonetheless within the playing cards, by the best way, however aren’t obtainable simply but.
Round a roval course at Charlotte Motor Speedway, the Darkish Horse can actually strut its stuff. The stiffer chassis, MagneRide shocks and wider tires actually assist this Mustang minimize a rug, however as soon as once more, the steering is an actual let-down. Outward visibility sucks, too, particularly with a helmet on, because of the Mustang’s excessive beltline, tall sprint screens and customarily darkish and cramped cabin.
On that word, whereas the brand new Mustang’s inside will initially impress you with its large screens and nice record of tech, nearer inspection reveals quite a lot of low cost supplies and customarily drab lodging. It’s the little issues, like window controls which are too distant, even for somebody like me with brief legs who sits nearer to the steering wheel than most. Or discover how the row of buttons to the correct of the brilliant pink engine begin button is definitely one stable piece of plastic, so the entire thing strikes regardless of which icon you push. I may even push the clean far-left ‘button’ on my check automobile. The wi-fi charging pad cowl simply pops off, too.
The optionally available Recaro seats are a worthwhile improve, with all-day consolation and beneficiant bolstering, however they don’t up the inside’s luxe issue in any respect. In addition they don’t alter as a lot and make it more durable to entry the again seats, not that you simply’ll be utilizing these for passengers on the common. Not less than, I hope not.
However hey, screens! Large screens! A single housing encompasses a 12.4-inch digital gauge cluster and 13.2-inch central multimedia show, each of which rapidly reply to inputs because of sturdy processing energy. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto join wirelessly in case you’d desire to go that route, and I like the entire completely different gauge designs – particularly the throwback Fox Physique structure (pictured beneath in a GT). I simply want the local weather management capabilities on the backside of the show weren’t so inane, with the necessity to faucet a number of occasions simply to regulate fan velocity.
Styling is subjective, so I’ll allow you to determine how you’re feeling concerning the Darkish Horse’s general design. Me? I’m torn. I feel the seventh-generation Mustang as an entire is a step within the incorrect path, particularly the crunched-in taillights and cheap-looking spoiler. The black panels below the headlights are a poor styling selection, even when they assist the sunshine housings circulation into the grille. It’s even worse with brighter colours. Who knew there was a strategy to make Grabber Blue look dangerous?
The least-expensive model of the 2024 Mustang Darkish Horse prices $60,865, together with a compulsory $1,595 vacation spot price. The marginally nicer Darkish Horse Premium requires a further $3,995, however actually solely will get you some leather-wrapped inside bits, none of which really feel notably top quality.
Engaging because the Darkish Horse appears on paper, I can’t assist however really feel about this automobile the identical method I felt concerning the last-generation Mustang Mach 1. I’m undecided that the Darkish Horse expertise is absolutely so a lot better than a loaded Mustang GT with the Efficiency Pack that it really works out to be a worthwhile improve, particularly contemplating it’d be rougher to drive on daily basis. On the similar time, the Darkish Horse doesn’t have that particular somethin’-somethin’ like a purpose-built Shelby GT350 to make it really feel like a drastically completely different automobile. It’s like a Mustang GT Plus.
Give it some thought: The GT Efficiency pack features a 3.73 rear axle, Brembo brakes, Torsen limited-slip differential and 19-inch wheels – all issues that come on the Darkish Horse. You can too spec a GT with the MagneRide dampers, Recaro seats and lively exhaust, and nonetheless are available just a few thousand bucks lower than the bottom Darkish Horse. Actually, you’re simply lacking stiffer springs, 14 horses and the Tremec trans. That’s not nothin’, nevertheless it’s a comparability to think about, for positive.
The Darkish Horse might sound new and thrilling and all kinds of spooky and ethereal, nevertheless it’s actually only a new spin on an older system. The Mach 1 was a method for Ford to bridge the hole between GT and GT500 after the Shelby GT350 went away (and to a lesser extent, the Bullitt). The Darkish Horse is the highest canine of the Mustang vary proper now, however relying on what else Ford has in retailer for its seventh-generation pony automobile, it seemingly gained’t be that method for lengthy.
