I'm gonna be that guy that is in no way in the market for this, that says: Would be cooler with a manual.
Photography courtesy Ford
The gap between the Mustang Dark Horse and the all-powerful Mustang GTD just got a little smaller thanks to two letters: SC.
The new Mustang Dark Horse SC, billed as the “most advanced, powerful, and track-capable Mustang Dark Horse in the stable,” ditches the naturally aspirated, 5.0-liter V8 backed by a six-speed manual or 10-speed auto found in the “normal” Dark Horse in favor of a supercharged, 5.2-liter V8 mated to a seven-speed DCT–just like its GTD sibling.
Does that mean the SC will get the same power output as the GTD? Ford didn’t say–though as much as we like to dream, we expect the power output to fall somewhere in between the Dark Horse’s 500 horsepower and the GTD’s 815 horsepower.
11-inch-wide aluminum wheels fitted with Pirelli P Zero R tires are standard–more on that in a minute–with braking handled by a Brembo setup consisting of six-piston front calipers and four-piston calipers out back.
Aero upgrades primarily consist of a unique rear spoiler, diffuser and aluminum hood, the last of which features a sizeable vent that aids engine cooling in addition to improving the car’s aerodynamics.
At this point, you’d probably think the Dark Horse SC is pretty well prepped for the track, right? Well, just wait until you hear about the optional Track Pack.
With the Track Pack, the aluminum wheels wrapped in Pirelli rubber are swapped out in favor of 11.5-inch-wide carbon fiber wheels shod with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires.
Likewise, the brakes are upgraded to a carbon-ceramic setup borrowed from the GTD and the rear spoiler gets a ducktail added to the decklid that, as Ford explains, is able to generate “a staggering 620 pounds of rear downforce at 180 mph.”
Whether you opt for the Track Pack or not, the SC receives a “Variable Traction Control” system with five levels of adjustment–including the ability to fully deactivate ESC.
Inside, you’ll find many surfaces covered in Alcantara as well as numerous carbon fiber accents. Pick the Track Pack, however, and you gain Recaro seats–finished in leather and Dinamica–but lose the rear seats.
For an even more “special” Dark Horse SC, Ford plans to offer a “Track Pack Special Edition” that includes a black-painted roof and red accents throughout, as well as carrying over the 3D-printed titanium trim pieces found inside the cockpit of the GTD.
While pricing or production numbers have yet to be announced, Ford did say that orders open at the end of March, with deliveries starting off later this summer.
A much more extreme Dark Horse? We like to think of it as more of a Diet Coke version of the GTD, in that it’ll (hopefully) be somewhat more accessible than the GTD.
I'm gonna be that guy that is in no way in the market for this, that says: Would be cooler with a manual.
Any guesses on how much this will weigh? I'm coming in at 4,300lb.
So, it's the successor to the GT500 with a different name. Maybe they were tired of paying licensing fees to Carroll Shelby's estate? 
brandonsmash said:Any guesses on how much this will weigh? I'm coming in at 4,300lb.
I think you are right, which is the same as the GTD dry. Still going to be fast as hell.
In reply to wearymicrobe :
I have to wonder where all that weight comes from. This may end up being even heavier than the GTD since the GTD has all that fancy CF componentry.
I'll probably get indicted for un-American activities saying this but I'd rather see that track pack on a regular dark horse powertrain with a manual trans and more cooling as a gt4 homologation style model than another 4200+lb 700hp+ mustang that can't do 2 laps before the tires are falling apart. Supercharger add ons with the factory warranty have been around forever, not like it's hard to add power to one of these cars with boost. Let's see lower weight and better cooling.
Maybe this version can finally beat a coupla Miatas on track?
brandonsmash said:In reply to wearymicrobe :
I have to wonder where all that weight comes from. This may end up being even heavier than the GTD since the GTD has all that fancy CF componentry.
They don't start with the lightest car and slap on a bunch of weight above the intake and a lot of rubber. I really like this car, it has ACR vibes and I hope that people actually use then instead of taking them to cars and coffee. Its a lot of car for the money in todays world if they stick the pricing.
I am sorely temped to sell the R8 and get a GT350R for a more all around package so I am a bit biased I like my Fords. Though I hate the dealer experience.
mhaskins said:I'll probably get indicted for un-American activities saying this but I'd rather see that track pack on a regular dark horse powertrain with a manual trans and more cooling as a gt4 homologation style model than another 4200+lb 700hp+ mustang that can't do 2 laps before the tires are falling apart. Supercharger add ons with the factory warranty have been around forever, not like it's hard to add power to one of these cars with boost. Let's see lower weight and better cooling.
Most people that buy these won't be taking them to track days.
In reply to mhaskins :
Manual? Why make a fast track car slower?
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