Ford has unleashed the 2026 Mustang Dark Horse SC, the supercharged halo car of the Mustang lineup, and drive impressions from the media drive at Sonoma Raceway are now out. Developed by Ford Racing alongside the Mustang GTD and the Mustang GT3 race car, the SC is effectively the GT500's spiritual successor — a 5.2-liter supercharged V8 making 795 horsepower, with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, for about $104,000.
The powertrain: 795 hp, 660 lb-ft
The headline is the blown 5.2-liter V8: 795 horsepower and 660 lb-ft of torque (per Ford, rated on premium fuel under SAE J1349). That's 35 more horsepower and torque than the outgoing Shelby GT500, and just 20 ponies shy of the 815-hp Mustang GTD, whose engine the SC's V8 is derived from. Power goes exclusively to the rear wheels through a seven-speed Tremec dual-clutch automatic. Ford hand-assembles each engine at its Dearborn Engine plant.
Built by Ford Racing
This isn't a trim package — it's a Ford Racing program. "Developing the Mustang Dark Horse SC alongside the Mustang GTD and our Mustang GT3 race car allowed us to create a direct pipeline of innovation," said Mark Rushbrook, global director of Ford Racing. The SC was tested alongside the Mustang GT4 race car at Sebring and Virginia International Raceway, per Ford. Next-generation MagneRide adaptive dampers, a Torsen limited-slip rear differential, and a carbon fiber driveshaft are all standard.
Track Pack
Buyers chasing lap times can option the Track Pack, which adds Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes, 20-inch carbon fiber wheels, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires, and a rear-seat delete that trims roughly 150 pounds. Aero work includes a carbon fiber rear wing and a ducktail decklid Ford says generates 620 pounds of rear downforce at 180 mph, plus a hood vent that improves cooling and cuts front lift. Inside, the Track Pack adds optional Recaro leather and Dinamica sport seats and the GTD's flat-bottom steering wheel with a 12 o'clock stripe.
The price
The Dark Horse SC starts at about $104,000 (base MSRP is $103,490 before destination, per Ford's pricing announcements), roughly a third of the GTD's price. The Track Pack pushes the car well into six figures. The very first one — VIN 001 — sold for $1.25 million at the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction, with proceeds benefiting juvenile diabetes research.
A convertible followed in August, revealed at the Woodward Dream Cruise as a 2027 model with the same 795-hp / 660-lb-ft powertrain, tuned for street driving rather than lap times.
Key specs
- Engine: supercharged 5.2L V8, 795 hp / 660 lb-ft (premium fuel, SAE J1349)
- Transmission: 7-speed Tremec dual-clutch automatic; rear-wheel drive
- Suspension: next-generation MagneRide adaptive dampers; Torsen limited-slip diff; carbon fiber driveshaft
- Track Pack: Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes, 20-in. carbon fiber wheels, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires, rear-seat delete (~150 lb lighter), 620 lb rear downforce at 180 mph
- Price: about $104,000 (base MSRP $103,490 before destination)
- Revealed: January 2026 (Ford Racing season launch, Detroit); deliveries began summer 2026
What we don't know yet
Ford has not published official 0-60 mph or quarter-mile figures for the SC, and pricing for the 2027 Dark Horse SC convertible hasn't been announced.
Watch: Now you are ready to Drag Race a Mustang Dark Horse SC — plus The Mustang Dark Horse SC has the same 5.2L Supercharged V8 from the GTD but costs $104,000, also on Instagram and TikTok.
Source: Ford Motor Company (From the Road). Powertrain figures confirmed by Ford; pricing via Ford's pricing announcements and Abdullah's video.