Ford clearly didn't get the doomsday message, as they've just unveiled a car that not only drinks gas, but gobbles it up with an evil grin. The Ford Mustang Dark Horse SC is here to bridge the gap between the "regular" Mustang and one that costs as much as a house.
Ford has been going through a strange but wonderful run amok phase lately. While most manufacturers are busy trying to cram more screens and batteries into their cars, Ford engineers in their basement in Dearborn are clearly listening to heavy metal and welding aluminum. With the seventh-generation S650 platform, they gave us a 2023 Dark Horse, a 500-horsepower, naturally aspirated beast that became the benchmark for racing “pony cars.” Then they lost their minds and made the Mustang GTD, a 300-thousand-dollar monster. with technology from Le Mans. But between them is a huge gaping holeAnd into this hole, with a thunderous crash, the new 2026 has just flown. Ford Mustang Dark Horse SC.
If you thought the muscle car era was dead, you're wrong. It's just gotten a little more exclusive.
The spirit of the Shelby GT500 in a new guise
The designation “SC” does not mean “Super Cute", but Supercharged (force-charged). Under that aggressively ventilated aluminum hood is an old friend we've all missed - the 5.2-liter "Predator" V8 engine. This is the heart that powered the Shelby GT500 between 2020 and 2022.
Ford hasn't confirmed official power figures yet, but let's be realistic. With the same Eaton TVS R2650 supercharger, the same seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (Tremec) and the same carbon fiber shaft, we expect nothing less than brutality. Expect power somewhere between 567 kW (760 hp), as much as the old GT500 had, and the absurd 608 kW (815 hp) that the GTD has. Torque? Probably enough to stop the Earth from spinning if you press the throttle in the wrong direction – we expect around 847 Nm (625 lb-ft) or more.
Acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h (0-60 mph) will probably be a thing, which will happen faster than you can say “Excuse me, Mr. Police Officer.” Expect times around 3.3 seconds. Top speed? Probably electronically limited to keep the tires from disintegrating into atoms, but certainly north of 290 km/h (180mph).
Racing technology for mere mortals (with deep pockets)
To see what Dark Horse SC can, the Ford Racing team dragged it on the track Sebring and Virginia International Raceway. There he did not hang out with electric crossovers, but tested alongside a GT3 racing car. This collaboration is known. The car is equipped with a new generation of MagneRide shock absorbers and forged aluminum suspension, which replaced steel components.
If you're one of those who thinks "too much" is just right, you'll be ticked off. Track PackThis package replaces the brakes with carbon-ceramic ones. Brembo discs (because stopping at 800 horsepower is not an option, but a necessity), adds 11.5-inch carbon fiber wheels and puts sticky tires on the car Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 RWith these changes, Ford has shaved about 68 kg (150 lbs) of fat off the car. It's like throwing out the average passenger who constantly criticizes your driving.
Aerodynamics that are not just for decoration
Let's face it, most spoilers on today's cars are there to look cool on Instagram. But the Dark Horse SC really goes for it. A huge slit in the hood creates 2.5 times more downforce than the standard model. If you opt for the Track Pack, you also get an adjustable carbon fiber rear wing and a ducktail spoiler. The result? At 290 km/h (180 mph), the car pushes 281 kg (620 lbs) of downforce onto the road. It's technology that's literally copied from its GTD supercar sibling.
The interior follows the philosophy “less is more, if it’s ‘less’ carbon.” The steering wheel is cut down, wrapped in leather, and has that racing stripe at 12 o’clock so you know when you’re hurtling straight into the fence. The Track Pack even goes so far as to throw the rear seats out of the car and replace them with a helmet rack. Because let’s be honest, no one wanted to sit in the back seats of a Mustang anyway, unless they had no legs.
"Ford decided not only to build a fast car, but to build a a tool for scaring fellow passengers and tire destruction in the most elegant way possible.”
Technical data: Dark Horse SC
| Property | Data |
| Model | 2026 Ford Mustang Dark Horse SC |
| Engine | 5.2L V8 Supercharged (“Predator”) |
| Gearbox | 7-speed Tremec (dual clutch) |
| Power (rating) | 567–600 kW (760–800+ hp) |
| Torque (rated) | > 850 Nm (> 625 lb-ft) |
| Brakes | Brembo 6-piston front (carbon-ceramic optional) |
| Tires | Pirelli P Zero R (Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R with Track Pack) |
| Weight loss | 68 kg (150 lbs) with Track Pack |
| Downforce | 281 kg at 290 km/h (620 lbs at 180 mph) |
