automobile

Ford’s New Toy

Certain things about America are generally true: the Bald Eagle is the free-est bird, the only thing better than fried food is super-sized fried food, and that that nothing beats the crackles and pops of good ol’ American auto engineering. I was able to experience it first hand last week, when I received an exclusive ride-along in the soon-to-launch 2024 Mustang Dark Horse, Ford’s new high-end track-focused machine. Behind the wheel was the new Chief Engineer at Mustang, Laurie Transou, who, for a Minnesota woman, navigated the busy intersections of Midtown Manhattan with relative ease. As we weaved through traffic, several pedestrians on the crosswalk and in vehicles alike could not help but gawk at the eye-catching new Mustang.

The Dark Horse in its glory.
Courtesy of Ford

Killer Pony

The Dark Horse’s exterior design language was bound to turn a few heads, as compared to the 6th gen Mustang, this new 7th gen is more modern, more menacing, and more aerodynamic than its predecessor. Every body line is a sharp edge, with a front bumper and grille that culminates in massive air intakes and a sharp splitter.

The rear of the Dark Horse. Courtesy of Ford

The headlights project with stylistic triple LEDs, and the central grille dons the classic Mustang insignia. If looks could kill, this car could be charged with manslaughter. The rear end also received an update, with more polygonal taillights that still maintain the classic three vertical LEDs that Mustangs have been known for since their inception, and the sequential turn-signal programming that they have implemented since 2010. Atop the rear decklid rests a massive gloss-black spoiler that generates downforce that one can only imagine, and down below, a rumbling chromed quad-tip exhaust, the gigantic wheels smooth and matte black, enclosed within them a bright blue 6-piston Brembo brake caliper system.

The Dark Horse’s matte-gray wheels with bright-blue Brembo brakes

In all, the exterior invokes classic design cues from older generations, while simultaneously ushering in engineering that appeals to the modern eye. Through all the changes, it is clear that Ford has not forgotten what made the original Mustangs great; along the rear window, those with a keen eye can find tiny painted silhouettes of every previous generation of Mustang, arranged in a row, as a dedication to the ancestors of the Dark Horse, watching over it.

Refined Defined

The interior is no slouch, either. The standout feature is an all-new curved panel screen that starts behind the wheel and extends all the way to the middle infotainment center. This means that the driver’s gauges, vehicle info, and track-focused features, as well as the entertainment, climate control, and CarPlay/Android Auto integration, all reside on a singular piece of beautiful glass, all digitized and all glorious.

Mustang Dark Horse Interior.
Courtesy of Ford

The digitalization of many aspects of the standard car experience also bring with it an unprecedented level of customization—take for instance, the ability to choose the gauge style among several, spanning from simple to stylistic, to one even reminiscent of that from Ford’s own ’79-’93 Fox Body Mustang. The rest of the interior also received an upgrade, with flat metallic black panels and pieces akin to the cockpit of a fighter jet, and blue piping and stitching on the seats. An item of notice: a surprisingly beefy electronic E-brake formulated specifically, in both ergonomics and mechanics, for drifting. Well, that’s one thing I won’t have to worry about adding myself.

The Horse and the Rider

I entered the vehicle with Laurie Transou, and I could immediately tell how this wasn’t just another corporate gig for her— she lives and breathes Mustang. She could barely contain her excitement as she explained the various new features and advancements made in this latest model, to the point where my questions were answered even before I asked them. I knew immediately that Ford had done right in appointing her the new Chief Engineer.

Mustang steering wheel

As we peeled out onto the road, she shifted through the 6-speed manual transmission with ease, and explained how she had been driving stick since she was 16. “I’m currently in the process of teaching my daughters how to drive manual as well,” she explained. “It’s more important now than ever, driving manual is a dying art.”
As we came upon a stretch of empty road, she leaned forward and slammed her foot onto the pedal, aggressively shifting up to second, third gear. My whole body was pressed back into my seat, and I received a feeling of pure euphoria that I had not for a while. While giddy with delight, Laurie took the time to explain the engine that was delivering such a wonderful experience. The churning and humming machine is Ford’s own naturally aspirated 5.0L Coyote V8, capable of outputting 500 crank horsepower, which is a whole 20 ponies more than the previously most-powerful Mustang, last year’s Mach-1. This is in part due to the all-new dual throttle bodies fed by dual air intakes that takes the engine beyond. The suspension also ensures a slick and comfortable ride, with MagneRide adaptive dampers that bring comfort without sacrificing the gritty roadfeel. In all, nearly everything in the Dark Horse is an improvement or refinement of the previous iteration, and it is immediately apparent.

Closing Thoughts

“Haha watch, I’m about to make what they call a ‘Minnesota U-turn’ back home.”
Getting a ride in the new Mustang was instantly a joy, both because of the vehicle itself, and the great passion and charisma Laurie exhibited when showing it off. It was an exhilarating and informative presentation, and in the ~15 minutes I got within the car, I feel like I experienced everything it had to offer, shy of driving it. Laurie explained how there will be an event to teach how to drive in manual, using the Dark Horse, in July, so hopefully that chance will come soon for me. In the meantime, in an age where auto manufacturers are more and more turning towards EVs, I know the Mustang brand is definitely in safe hands, and that car aficionados everywhere will relish the new Mustang Dark Horse, and whatever Ford has in store for the future.

The 2024 Mustang Dark Horse is ready to reserve for purchase right now, will be available to drive this Summer 2023.