The new Ford Mustang Dark Horse is poised to treat trackday warriors

Though the mighty Blue Oval marque hasn’t released any official performance figures and data for the new seventh-gen Ford Mustang, the firm also unveiled a new ‘Dark Horse’ version of which, and it’s essentially a factory-built trackday special.

Based on the new 5.0 GT variant, the Dark Horse treatment sees Ford’s performance arm blessed its 5.0-litre Coyote V8 mill with a host of specialised tuning to make it the most powerful Mustang to date – at least 500 hp is reported.

Highlights include the highly improved cooling (transmission oil cooler, rear axle cooler, auxiliary engine cooler and improved coolant running through all), followed by dual throttle bodies, new ECU tuning, as well as conrods from the Shelby GT500 special.

Like the base car, buyers of the Dark Horse models can still opt for either a 6-speed manual or 10-speed automatic transmission choices. Either way, both will also work in tandem with a Torsen limited-slip differential.

Other special bits include Ford Performance suspension bracing and MagneRide active suspension, six-piston Brembo brakes, not forgetting wide and staggered-fit (9.5 inches front, 10 inches rear) wheels wrapped in Pirelli PZ4s tyres.

On top of which comes an optional Handling Pack too. This further adds hardware such as stiffer springs, bigger sway bars, one-inch wider wheels shod with stickier Pirelli Trofeo tyres, as well as a rear wing that sports a ‘Gurney flap’ too.

By the way, Ford will offer the Mustang Dark Horse in either S or R trimlines too. The former sees a fully stripped-out, track ready Mustang brimmed with all the necessary safety kit, as well as an adjustable rear wing, Multimatic DSSV dampers and even a pit speed limiter.

Opt for the Mustang Dark Horse R instead and Ford will things like seam welding, a larger long-range fuel cell, Ford Performance wheels, as well as what Ford describes as "special serialisation that approves it for racing".

In short, with the Dark Horse treatment, it seems Ford is ensuring this new seventh-gen iteration of its iconic ‘Pony Car’ has what much of its predecessors never did: circuit racing talents.

What do you folks think of this factory-built trackday iteration of the latest Mustang, then?