What to Expect from the Mustang Dark Horse R
Last Updated November 28, 2023 | Nate MoonisFord recently revealed the new 2024 Mustang Dark Horse R in Charlotte, North Carolina, and it's everything you could hope for in a turn-key race car. With an impressive price tag, the performance improvements have to be just as mind-blowing. Luckily, the specs for the new Ford Mustang Dark Horse R are as remarkable as you'd hope for a non-road-legal variant. In this article, we're going to talk about what you can expect under the hood of the most recent S650 to be revealed.
Dark Horse R Specs
Check out the table below for a quick rundown of the Dark Horse R's specs.
| Specification | Ford Mustang Dark Horse R |
|---|---|
| Starting MSRP | $146,595 |
| Engine | 5.0L DOHC Ti-VCT V8 |
| Horsepower | 500 hp |
| Transmission | Tremac 3160 six-speed manual | Oiling System | Dry-sump oiling system with a Ford Performance oil pan |
| Suspension | Manually-adjustable Multimatic DSSV dampers |
| Brakes | Monobloc six-piston front and four-piston rear aluminum Brembo calipers |
Dark Horse R Performance Upgrades
The new Dark Horse R features the same, improved 5.0L V8 found in the street-legal S650 Dark Horse that makes 500 horsepower and 418 lb-ft of torque. It's fitted with a few more bits from the regular Dark Horse. These include the Tremac 3160 six-speed manual gearbox, Torsen limited-slip differential, and 3.73 final drive ratio. The Ford Mustang Dark Horse R makes the same amount of horsepower and uses the same transmission as the standard Dark Horse, but it increases performance in other areas.
The Dark Horse R is designed for the race track and its performance upgrades reflect that. It's equipped with a dry-sump oiling system and Ford Performance oil panel to ensure proper oiling under heavy load. The transmission and rear differential cooling is upgraded in order to withstand the high temperatures produced on the track. It also comes with a Borla racing exhaust, forged monobloc Brembo six-piston front brake calipers, and cast monobloc Brembo four-piston rear brake calipers.
The suspension on the new Ford Mustang Dark Horse R has been upgraded. Instead of the Magneride suspension found on the normal Dark Horse, you get manually adjustable Multimatic DSSV dampers, camber plates, and anti-roll bars. With so many ways to adjust your Dark Horse R, you're easily able to dial in your ride over the course of a race weekend.
Dark Horse R Interior Upgrades and Changes
The Dark Horse R was designed to be a race car with no compromises and that really shows with the interior. Ford has completely gutted the interior down to a Recaro racing seat, full racing harness, Sparco quick-release steering wheel, and a MoTec data logger to keep track of lap times and car information.
Ford has also included a full, FIA-compliant roll cage from the factory and a fire suppression system to ensure you're properly protected from any accidents on the track. You'll also find a fuel cell mounted in the interior.
Dark Horse R Exterior Upgrades and Changes
Ford has made a bunch of really important exterior upgrades to improve the performance and safety of the Dark Horse R chassis to get it ready for wheel-to-wheel racing.
Ford has included front and rear-facing tow hooks to allow for easy towing should you break down or get into an accident on track. They've also reinforced the jacking points on the S650's chassis and added underbody tie-down hoops in order to makeworking on and transporting your new Dark Horse R as easy as possible.
However, the most striking exterior addition is the upgraded set of Ford Performance wheels. These new wheels are flow-formed and feature staggered sizing. The fronts are 19x10.5-inch and the rears are 19x11-inch. Along with the upgraded wheels, you can opt for the 19-inch Michelin racing slick tires if you plan on driving in the newly-revealed Mustang Challenge.
Does the Performance Justify the Price?
Though the jaw-dropping price of the new Ford Mustang Dark Horse R is going to turn a lot of people off, it's nothing compared to the Mustang GTD. It's a great investment for those looking into getting into serious wheel-to-wheel racing.
Ford has done a great job of giving enthusiasts a turn-key race car ready to hit the track at a moment's notice. If that sounds like something you're interested in, the new Dark Horse R is definitely for you. But, you want to race a Mustang and can't get your hands on a Dark Horse R, there are other options, like NMRA, to satisfy your urge for wheel-to-wheel racing in a Mustang.
