New Name, Same Great V8

– Charlotte, North Carolina

Ford may have reached into its limitless sack of nameplates, slapped a historic badge onto the bottom of this seventh-generation Mustang, and known as it a day. However as an alternative, that is the primary Mustang since technology 4 to get a brand new efficiency trim: the Darkish Horse.

Not like sixth-gen throwbacks such because the Mach 1 and GT350, the Mustang Darkish Horse does not have any heritage to bolster its picture. Nor, on the flip aspect, any lingering nostalgia to carry it again. Ford wished the efficiency to talk for itself – and boy does it.

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26 Pictures

That is probably the most highly effective naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 in Mustang historical past, and the Coyote engine remains to be as charming as ever. Solid piston connecting rods from the supercharged GT500 and particular software program tuning pushes it to 500 horsepower and 418 pound-feet of torque, a rise of 20 hp and three lb-ft over the present GT.

Granted, the Darkish Horse is not fairly as torque-loaded at low RPMs as a few of its supercharged or turbocharged alternate options. There’s sufficient punch to get it off the road with goal however not a lot that the Mustang bucks – vehicles and occasional attendees in every single place breathe a sigh of reduction. Torque builds in a stunning linear trend as much as a 4,900-rpm peak and continues to take action all the best way as much as redline.

Rip previous 5,000 rpm to get probably the most out of the Darkish Horse. It completely hauls at increased revs, with the V8 doing its finest work when labored exhausting. This motor is much more lovable when paired with the Tremec six-speed guide, which has completely tight, fast throws, computerized rev matching, and eventually, no-lift-shift (which has been round on GM efficiency vehicles for a couple of years now). It’s a match made in muscle automobile heaven. A ten-speed computerized is on the market – and it is fairly good – however the six-speed stays the superior setup.

Queen Metropolis Streets

Most of my drive takes me by means of the agricultural, Biscuitville-lined roads of Charlotte, North Carolina. Granted, these aren’t probably the most thrilling items of pavement, however after a couple of hours behind the wheel, the Mustang Darkish Horse proves to be a stunning on-road companion.

Even earlier than getting in, the Darkish Horse intimidates with its menacing muscle automobile appears to be like. That is by far the best-looking seventh-gen Mustang thus far. The black mascara beneath the headlights and the snarling nostril intakes (a intelligent nod to the nostrils of a racing horse) repair a number of the facial failings of the EcoBoost and GT fashions. And the backend appears to be like significantly better with a giant wing, as most vehicles do.

Inside designers opted for shortage somewhat than luxurious. You will rapidly knock your knee on any variety of exhausting plastic trim items on the bottom Darkish Horse, be it on the door panel, passenger aspect sprint, or heart console. However hey, sacrifices have to be made within the title of efficiency – and if you need higher supplies, the Premium mannequin does supply nicer leather-based and stitching.

That is by far the best-looking seventh-gen Mustang thus far.

The optionally available Recaro buckets are literally fairly comfortable. They’ve a fantastic form with glorious lumbar help and a pleasant leather-based end. They’re aggressively bolstered – once more, one other casualty of proudly owning a track-capable automobile – and there’s no energy adjustment. The guide changes are supposed to preserve the load down, however I’d somewhat sacrifice a couple of kilos for extra versatility (which you are able to do with the bottom chairs).

The brand new tech suite bundles a 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster with a 13.2-inch touchscreen show, which implies that a number of the retro inside components are certainly gone. However Ford’s latest infotainment system is simple to make use of and extremely configurable, and naturally, the Fox Physique gauges from the bottom and GT Mustangs make their strategy to the Darkish Horse as effectively, as do a couple of Darkish Horse-specific graphics.

A MagneRide adaptive suspension comes normal, and it varies in softness from Regular mode to Monitor. Even in Regular, although, the journey isn’t essentially plush – however that’s to be anticipated of a racing horse. There’s some apparent harshness over tough roads, however nothing I discovered to be overly offensive.

Throughout The Line

For a real efficiency take a look at, we hit the monitor. The Charlotte Motor Speedway banks as much as 24 levels – greater than many ovals on the Nascar circuit – with the mixture of an internal street course dubbed the “Roval.” We solely get to pattern a fraction of it, however there are sufficient twists to get a really feel for what the Darkish Horse can actually do.

The NA V8, once more, exhibits simply how lovable it’s on the primary banking. Its relentless top-end efficiency powers the Mustang across the first few two corners of the oval with velocity and a deep roar rumbling out of the quad exhaust ideas, bouncing round within the stands like a real inventory automobile.

Hit the primary chicane and the Darkish Horse displays higher agility than probably any earlier pony automobile south of a Shelby. With the Dealing with pack outfitted on this automobile (which I drove on the monitor solely), it has sticky, staggered Pirelli P Zero Trofeo RS tires (305 entrance / 315 rear), stiffer springs, bigger anti-roll bars, and an built-in Gurney flap on the rear wing. All within the title of giving this Mustang extra assured cornering skills.

The chassis is impeccably balanced; the physique stays flat and fluid physique as I, an beginner, try and wrestle the automobile across the difficult infield course. There’s solely a small trace of physique roll in a number of the tighter turns, however no tail-happiness from the again finish, fortunately.

The steering is faster than it is ever been too, which permits me to level the Mustang’s huge ol’ nostril as shut to every apex as attainable. The issue, although, is that this tiller loses a number of the charming chattiness of the earlier mannequin. Even in probably the most aggressive Monitor setting, the steering is boosted to some extent the place it feels imprecise on heart and does not load up effectively in corners, which implies it is exhausting to inform what the entrance tires are doing. There is not sufficient correct suggestions to push more durable.

However ticking over to Sport+ or Monitor mode does produce enhancements elsewhere, particularly within the suspension and throttle tuning. The added stiffness in Monitor mode sharpens the Darkish Horse within the corners, and the faster throttle response means you possibly can dole energy out of a nook with extra management.

Highly effective Stablemate

It’ll price you a minimum of $60,865 with the $1,595 vacation spot payment to get right into a base Mustang Darkish Horse, which is only a contact lower than a comparable BMW M2 ($63,195). Or, it is $64,860 if you need the Darkish Horse Premium with color-matching stitching, extra padded supplies, and some aesthetic tweaks.

The ten-speed computerized is an additional $1,595 (not that you simply want it) and the Dealing with pack (which it is best to get) is an additional $4,995. All instructed a Premium mannequin loaded with most the whole lot will set you again simply over $73,000, a not-insignificant amount of money.

Whereas it could not have the heritage to again it up, the 2024 Ford Mustang Darkish Horse doesn’t want nostalgia to be nice. The Darkish Horse builds upon the GT with a strong V8, glorious dynamics, and sharp styling. The Darkish Horse deserves to be a staple within the Mustang lineup for years to come back.

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