Ford Mustang Dark Horse vs GTD. Which Mustang has more wild blood?
If we were to list iconic American cars, the Mustang would certainly be at the top of the list. Over the decades, the car has evolved and in addition to the base versions, there were also special editions and versions developed by independent tuners. The most electrifying varieties of the latest generation that have appeared on official sales are the Ford Mustang Dark Horse and Ford Mustang GTD. How do they differ? Why are they so special?
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Ford Mustang GTD or Ford Mustang Dark Horse?
Ford Mustang GTD and Ford Mustang Dark Horse Prices
We currently have the 7th generation Ford Mustang on the market. In the most powerful of the standard versions, it has a Coyote V8 engine with a volume of 5 liters and 453 hp. The first hundred appears on the counter after about 4.4 seconds. The driver can count on, among other things, performance Brembo brakes, an active exhaust system, and two large color screens with the Ford Sync 4 multimedia system appeared in the interior. The customer can choose whether he wants a car with an automatic or manual transmission. There is even a handbrake for drift with two operating modes. For many, the already base Ford Mustang is a dream object, but there are also those for whom this is not enough. Then the Ford Mustang Dark Horse and Ford Mustang GTD come in.
Also read: The legendary Ford Mustang — what to know about it
We will start with a thick pipe, that is, with the Mustang GTD. This mysterious abbreviation should be deciphered as Gran Touring Daytona. This is the name of the class in long-distance auto racing, which includes the Ford Mustang. As befits any self-respecting manufacturer, Ford transfers its sports experience to cars with road homologation, which can be ordered at the dealership. The Ford Mustang GTD incorporates the pinnacle of technological achievements and the most powerful V8 engine. Suffice it to say that we have an ideal mass distribution of 50:50. The car debuted in June 2024 during the 24h Le Mans race.
Under the hood, the Coyote V8 engine works, the maximum power of which has been raised to 800 hp. This is all thanks to the increase in capacity to 5.2 l and the use of a compressor.. However, this value is only available if you use premium fuel that meets the requirements of SAE J1349. For regular unleaded gasoline, a visit to the brake shop can be disappointing, although probably the power will still be higher than that of the Mustang GT. Ford offers the GTD variant only in conjunction with an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. The drive shaft is made of carbon fiber.
The wheels are designed specifically for the GTD model, and their wheelbase is 10 cm wider than that of the standard Mustang. The wheels have a diameter of 20 inches and are made of aluminum. For an additional fee, you can have wheels made of magnesium alloy, which is characterized by lightness and durability. The front tires are 325 mm wide and the rear - 345 mm.
The company Multimatic, where Ford racing cars are created, is responsible for the development of the semi-active suspension. One of the features is the driving mode selection system. In “Track” mode, they can be lowered by as much as 40 mm. Shock absorbers have the ability to adjust 16 degrees, which allows you to adapt the car to the conditions prevailing on a certain section of the road or on the race track. It is worth knowing that the elements of the rear suspension occupy a large part of the trunk.
The brakes are products of the Italian brand Brembo, and the system includes, among others, ceramic brake discs with an admixture of carbon fiber and six-piston brake calipers. Special intakes are placed in the body of the car, which are supposed to supply cool air to the rear brakes.
The body is almost entirely made of carbon fiber. The exception is aluminum door panels. For an additional fee, Ford also offers a special channel system that increases ground pressure. Of course, it is also made of carbon fiber.
Another interesting addition is a spoiler mounted not to the tailgate, but to the C-pillars. However, this is not an ordinary spoiler, because you can change its position using a button located inside the car. This allows you to choose between extra pressure in corners and a higher top speed on long straights.
Inside, the Ford Mustang GTD has lightweight, racing Recaro seats. The standard, digital displays, which are also in the basic versions of the car, have been preserved. So you can count on, for example, a satellite navigation system, thanks to which the owner will reach the race track. The rear sofa has been eliminated and in its place there is a special plexiglass, through which you can admire the elements of the Multimatic rear suspension. Titanium gearshift paddles were placed near the steering wheel.
Ford Mustang Dark Horse is a completely different recipe for a unique American coupe. The Dark Horse model used the Coyote V8 engine, but its standard capacity was left. However, it is more powerful than the base Mustang GT and Ford achieved this without the use of a compressor. If you're looking for a naturally strong Mustang, Dark Horse is the place to go.
The heart of the Dark Horse is the Coyote V8 engine, which features a forged crankshaft and forged connecting rods. An external oil cooler was added, and the ignition settings were changed to more aggressive. All this makes the engine of the Mustang Dark Horse generate a maximum power of 500 hp. The European version, unfortunately, is weaker, since the engine generates a maximum power of 453 hp here.
Buyers have two gearboxes to choose from. The first of these is a manual Tremec box with a titanium rod, printed in 3D technology. The second is an automatic transmission, which has 10 gears and a Drag Strip mode. In the case of a car with a manual transmission, the driver can count on launch assistance through the Launch Control system.
The whole provides lightning-fast effects. The first hundred in the version with an automatic transmission with the Drag Strip mode turned on appears after 3.7 s. The declared travel time at a distance of a quarter mile is 12 s. Only the Mustang Shelby GT500 with the Carbon Fiber Track Pack is faster.
The Ford Mustang in the Dark Horse version has an active MagneRide suspension developed by the Delphi brand. For the Mustang GT, the MagneRide system is available as an optional equipment package. Changed the characteristics of the work of stabilizers, which are stiffer and focused on dynamic cornering.
The wheels consist of 19-inch alloy wheels, which are dressed in tires with dimensions of 305/30R19 at the front and 315/30R19 at the rear. The list of optional equipment includes Pirelli P Zero Trofeo RS tires, which are part of the Handling Pack.
Brembo components are responsible for the safe loss of speed. In the basic version of the Dark Horse model, the six-piston brake calipers are painted black, but in the additional design package you can have them with the logo in Grabber Blue, and the whole thing is painted in Notorious Blue.
What does the Ford Mustang Dark Horse look like? The styling of the Dark Horse model is slightly less spectacular than that of the GTD. A delicate spoiler is placed on the trunk lid, which improves the aerodynamics of the car. The side moldings have been lowered, and a racing diffuser has been added to the rear bumper, which hides two double-ended mufflers. The front bumper also has an accessory spoiler for better downforce. Optionally, you can order the Dark Horse style package, which has more elements in Grabber Blue and seats trimmed with upholstery in Deep Indigo Blue.
As standard, the Mustang Dark Horse has a sporty, flattened steering wheel at the bottom, which is trimmed with suede and equipped, among other things, with buttons used to quickly change the car settings. The 13.2-inch touch-sensitive center panel supports Ford SYNC 4 and gently faces the driver for easy operation.
The seats are covered with material for better cornering grip. The bar of the manual transmission is designed so that the hand does not sweat at high temperatures. There are contrasting blue stitching on the dashboard, doors, seats and transmission fluff, which alludes to the color of the Mustang Dark Horse.
The Ford Mustang 2024 Dark Horse R is a version of the Dark Horse model that is designed for use on racetracks. This is the third racing variant of the Mustang after GT3 and GT4. The list of equipment includes, among others, a performance electronics package, a safety cage, FIA-approved Recaro bucket seats, a Multimatic DSSV suspension, upper shock mounts with tilt adjustment, a Borla sports exhaust system, a fire system, a Sparco steering wheel on a quick coupling and much more.
The car was designed to compete in the Mustang Challenge racing series, which debuted in 2024, a project created by the Ford Performance Racing School. The owners of these unusual cars take part in two training sessions, one qualifying session and two short distance races. In the Dark Horse R version, the new Mustang costs from 145 thousand dollars and customers from Europe can only order it through Multimatic, which is responsible for preparing Ford racing cars.
The choice between these two cars is difficult, and it is even more difficult to do in the American market, where the Mustang Dark Horse is unique for the engine power, which is achieved without the use of supercharging. The GTD, on the other hand, is a racing machine with road homologation.
However, if we were to determine who the model is for, then the Dark Horse should be chosen by all those who expect exceptional looks, performance and technology while maintaining the practical qualities of the car. The GTD version is designed for those who intend to use the car sporadically and most often will do it on the racetracks, because they are the natural environment for this model.
How much does a Ford Mustang cost? Both models are unique, so you have to pay for them accordingly. The Mustang Dark Horse starts at $60,865 in the base version, and Ford expects $68,275 for the Premium package variant. Mustang Dark Horse R costs from $145,000. However, this is not much compared to the Mustang GTD, which was valued at $325,000. The GTD model can be a good investment, as various sources state that only 1000 units of this car will be built. In Poland, the GTD model is expected to cost from PLN 2 million, and the Dark Horse is an expense of the order of PLN 358,500.
The Ford Mustang is a unique car in itself, as it symbolizes the classic approach to the design of sports coupes. However, the Dark Horse and GTD versions take it to a whole new level and, by the way, allow you to become the owner of a unique car. It is a pity that in the case of the European Mustang Dark Horse, the power was significantly reduced.
Fortunately, you can rely on the secondary market from the USA and professional intermediaries, such as the company Bryki from America, which imports cars from the USA. If you are interested in any Ford from USA, just write or call and make an appointment. It all starts with defining your needs and budget. Further stages include participation in the auction, transportation of the car to Europe, assistance with the payment of customs and state fees and the organization of documentation, and later it remains only to prepare the car for registration in Poland.
