2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse: The Last Stand

There is a melancholy in the air of the automotive world. Every week brings news of another V8 engine being retired, another manual transmission being discontinued, another iconic nameplate going electric. In this landscape of shrinking displacements and silent powertrains, the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse stands as a defiant, roaring monument to the old guard. It is not just a new trim level; it is a statement. It is Ford looking at the electric future and saying, “Not yet.”

The Dark Horse is the first new performance nameplate for the Mustang since the Bullitt was introduced in 2001. It sits above the GT and effectively replaces the Mach 1. But unlike the Mach 1, which was a parts-bin special, the Dark Horse feels like a cohesive, purpose-built track weapon. We spent a week with one—both on the road and at the track—to see if this is the fitting send-off the internal combustion muscle car deserves.

The Heart of the Beast: Coyote V8 Gen 4

At the core of the Dark Horse is the fourth-generation 5.0-liter Coyote V8. This isn’t just a carryover engine. Ford’s engineers have fitted it with forged connecting rods from the Shelby GT500, a unique balanced crankshaft, and strengthened camshafts. It breathes through a dual-throttle body intake design that looks as good as it performs.

The result is 500 horsepower and 418 lb-ft of torque. It is the most powerful naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 Ford has ever produced. But numbers only tell half the story. The character of this engine is what captivates you. It revs with a ferocity that the old pushrod V8s could only dream of, screaming all the way to a 7,500 rpm redline. The active exhaust system offers four modes, ranging from “Quiet” (which is polite enough for the suburbs) to “Track” (which is loud enough to wake the dead).

Our tester was equipped with the Tremec TR-3160 6-speed manual transmission. This is a crucial distinction—the standard Mustang GT gets the Getrag MT-82, a transmission that has been plagued by vague feel and reliability issues. The Tremec in the Dark Horse is a joy to use. The throws are short, the gates are well-defined, and the mechanical engagement is incredibly satisfying. A 10-speed automatic is available, and it’s faster, but choosing it misses the point of this car entirely.

Track Weapons Grade

The “Dark Horse” name implies something sinister, and the chassis hardware backs that up. Standard equipment includes MagneRide adaptive dampers, a Torsen limited-slip differential, and massive Brembo brakes (6-piston front, 4-piston rear). Our car was equipped with the optional Handling Package, which adds stiffer springs, larger sway bars, a rear wing with a Gurney flap, and—most importantly—Pirelli P Zero Trofeo RS tires.

These tires are essentially street-legal slicks. On a warm track, the grip they generate is mind-bending. The Dark Horse turns in with a sharpness that belies its 3,900-lb curb weight. The steering, while still lacking the ultimate feedback of a Porsche, is precise and well-weighted. You can place the car exactly where you want it.

Mid-corner stability is exceptional. The MagneRide dampers do a phenomenal job of controlling body motions. You can attack curbs without upsetting the chassis. And when it’s time to power out, the Torsen diff locks up and lets you deploy all 500 horses with confidence. It’s a car that rewards good driving but is forgiving enough not to bite you if you make a mistake.

Living with the Dark Horse

So, it works on the track. But what about the commute? This is where the compromises of a track-focused car become apparent. With the Handling Package, the ride is stiff. Even in Comfort mode, you feel every expansion joint and pothole. The massive front tires have a tendency to “tramline,” following grooves in the pavement. And the Trofeo RS tires are practically useless in the rain and dangerous in the cold.

Inside, Ford has tried to modernize the Mustang. The dual-screen setup (a 12.4-inch instrument cluster and a 13.2-inch center stack) looks impressive, running the Unreal Engine for its graphics. It’s responsive and customizable—you can even set the gauges to look like the analog dials from a Fox Body Mustang, a touch of nostalgia that we absolutely loved.

However, the reliance on touchscreens has gone a bit too far. Most climate controls are now buried in the screen. While they are permanently docked at the bottom, physical knobs are always superior for adjusting temperature while driving. The interior materials are a step up from previous generations, with nice suede inserts and a chunky steering wheel, but there are still plenty of hard plastics to remind you of the car’s humble roots.

The Recaro seats look fantastic and hold you tight on the track, but they lack lumbar adjustment and heating/cooling. For a long road trip, they can become fatiguing.

The Competition

The Mustang Dark Horse finds itself in a unique position. The Chevrolet Camaro is dead. The Dodge Challenger is dead (replaced by the electric Charger Daytona). The Mustang is the last man standing in the pony car wars.

Its real competition now comes from Europe and Japan:

• BMW M2: Similar price, more refined, but lacks the V8 drama.
• Toyota Supra: Lighter, sharper, but only has two seats and a BMW engine.
• Porsche 718 Cayman: The benchmark for handling, but you’ll pay significantly more to match the Mustang’s performance.

Verdict

The 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse is flawed. It’s big, it’s heavy, it’s thirsty, and the ride is punishing. But it is also magnificent. It is a celebration of internal combustion, a car that prioritizes engagement and emotion over pure efficiency.

It captures the essence of what a muscle car should be—loud, brash, and fast—but adds a layer of dynamic competence that transforms it into a genuine sports car. It proves that the Mustang doesn’t just have to be a drag strip hero; it can be a corner carver too.

As we barrel towards an electric future, cars like this are becoming endangered species. The Dark Horse feels like a final, glorious burnout before the lights go out at the drag strip. If you have the means, buy one. Drive it. Cherish it. We won’t see its like again.

Pros:

• Glorious naturally aspirated V8 engine
• Excellent Tremec manual transmission
• Incredible track capability with Handling Package
• Modern tech with cool nostalgic touches

Cons:

• Stiff ride on the street
• Thirsty fuel economy
• Touchscreen climate controls
• Expensive options list

Rating: 9.2/10