2026 Ford Mustang Dark Horse SC debuts, but key details MIA

The 2026 Ford Mustang Dark Horse SC has made its official debut and is a whole lot hotter than first thought – to the point of being a factory-produced Shelby GT500 successor.

Following on from the less-than-subtle teaser yesterday, the Dark Horse SC is anything but understated and actually has very little in common with its donor car, with the engine, transmission and chassis set-up all being completely different

Where the standard Dark Horse has a 5.0-litre eight-cylinder and a 10-speed torque converter, the SC has a supercharged 5.2-litre engine paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission – as per the previous-gen Shelby GT500.

The former is housed under a new aluminium bonnet with carbon vents that contribute to the overall aero package, with the whole thing suspended by specially tuned MagneRide adaptive dampers, updated springs, new stabiliser bars, revised front and rear knuckles, and modified front control arms.

The brakes have been beefed-up too, with even more stopping power – and downforce, and grip, and adjustability, and style, and support – offered via the optional Track Pack.

This adds Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes, a new ducktail boot lid, Michelin Cup 2 R tyres, carbon fibre wheels and rear wing, forged suspension links, a magnesium strut brace, six-way variable traction control, Recaro bucket seats and a teal accent package for the interior.

Ford claims the SC Track Pack’s carbon rear wing and ducktail generate up 281kg of downforce at 290km/h, with the ventilated bonnet providing 150 per cent more than the standard Dark Horse’s.

More downward suction (and cooling) is provided by the revised front facia, underbody venting and rear diffuser.

The Road Ahead

According to Ford, the Dark Horse SC “sits in the top tier of the Mustang stable; between the Mustang Dark Horse Performance Package and the Mustang GTD” – further reinforcing the idea of this being a factory-produced GT500 successor.

The brand’s yet to publish any power, performance or capability claims for its new hero and reportedly won’t until it goes on sale in North America later in the year.

For Australia carsales was told this week Ford had “no news to share on any plans” to offer the Mustang Dark Horse SC Down Under, despite the standard Dark Horse being available locally.

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