Ford’s been on a tear with the Mustang lately, pushing the Dark Horse badge harder than any nameplate since the Boss 302 days. The seventh-gen S650 platform gave us the standard Dark Horse in 2023, a naturally aspirated 500hp beast that quickly became the benchmark for track-ready pony cars under six figures. Then came the GTD, a $330,000 that borrowed directly from the GT3 race program. Filling the massive gap between these two nameplates, Ford has just unveiled the Dark Horse SC.
The Ghost of GT500 Past
The “SC” stands for supercharged, and under that vented aluminum hood sits the same Predator 5.2-liter V8 that powered the 2020-2022 Shelby GT500. Ford hasn’t confirmed horsepower yet, but with the same Eaton TVS R2650 supercharger, same seven-speed dual-clutch Tremec gearbox, and same carbon-fiber driveshaft routing power to upgraded half shafts, you can expect this to land somewhere around the GT500’s 760hp but as high as the GTD’s 815hp.
Race-Bred Hardware
To see the Dark Horse SC in action, Ford Racing took it to Sebring and Virginia International Raceway to test alongside the GTD and GT3 race car. That collaboration with the racing team shows up in the next-gen MagneRide dampers, the forged aluminum suspension links replacing steel components, and a lightweight magnesium strut tower brace. The top-tier Track Pack goes further, swapping in carbon-ceramic Brembo brakes from the GTD, 11.5-inch carbon-fiber wheels, and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R rubber. With those changes, Ford claims they’ve stripped 150lbs off the car.
The aerodynamics received equal attention. The massive hood vent generates 2.5 times the downforce of the standard Dark Horse when the rain tray gets removed. With the Track Pack, you’ll get a ducktail decklid plus an adjustable carbon-fiber wing that combine for 620lbs of rear downforce at 180 mph, which is a design approach the GTD team adopted for the supercar.
The interior gets some GTD hand-me-downs as well, specifically the flat-bottom leather-wrapped steering wheel with the 12 o’clock stripe and integrated performance controls, plus carbon-fiber and Alcantara accents throughout. The Track Pack adds optional Recaro sport seats and actually deletes the rear seats entirely, replacing them with a storage shelf for track gear.
Spec Sheet
Model: 2026 Ford Mustang Dark Horse SC
Engine: Supercharged 5.2L V8 (“Predator”)
Transmission: Tremec 7-speed dual-clutch
Power: TBA (estimated 700-800 hp)
Brakes: Brembo 6-piston front / 4-piston rear (carbon-ceramic optional)
Tires: Pirelli P Zero R (Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R with Track Pack)
Weight Reduction: 150 lbs (Track Pack)
Downforce: 620 lbs at 180 mph (Track Pack)
Pricing & Availability
Orders open this spring with deliveries starting summer 2026. Ford hasn’t announced pricing yet, but with the standard Dark Horse Premium at $69,075 and the GTD at $330,000, expect the SC to close in on six figures once you add the Track Pack and a few extras.
Recap
2026 Ford Mustang Dark Horse SC
Ford just dropped the Dark Horse SC, which is basically a Shelby GT500 in everything but name, packing that same supercharged 5.2-liter Predator V8 and dual-clutch gearbox into a track-ready package that slots between the standard Dark Horse and the $330K GTD. Orders open this spring with deliveries starting summer, and while Ford’s staying quiet on horsepower and pricing, expect something north of 700 horses and close to six figures with the Track Pack.
