Ford Mustang Dark Horse R Unveiled as Exclusive Track-Only One-Make Series Car

It’ll sell for $145,000 and go racing next year

Introducing the Ford Mustang Dark Horse R: A Track-Only Powerhouse for the New Mustang Challenge Racing Series

Ford continues to expand its racing Mustang lineup, with the latest addition being the Mustang Dark Horse R. Building on the success of the Mustang GT3 and Mustang GT4, this specialized version is exclusively designed for the race track.

The Mustang Dark Horse R will be featured in the upcoming Mustang Challenge spec racing series, officially sanctioned by IMSA. The series is set to commence in 2024 and will consist of 10 to 12 thrilling races, with rewards and payouts for top-performing participants.

This impressive racing machine strikes a balance between the standard road-going Dark Horse and the high-performance GT3/GT4 race cars. Under the hood, it boasts a 5.0-liter V8 engine, delivering 500 horsepower and 418 pound-feet of torque in its stock form. The Dark Horse R benefits from several enhancements, including an upgraded oil system, improved transmission and differential cooling, and a Borla racing exhaust system. To optimize its performance on the track, the car is equipped with a full cage, Multimatic DSSV dampers, adjustable anti-roll bars, adjustable front camber plates, and Brembo race-spec brakes on both front and rear. It also rides on unique wheels and slick tires, ensuring superior grip and handling.

Given its race-oriented nature, the Mustang Dark Horse R comes equipped with front and rear tow hooks, reinforced jacking points, and underbody tie-down hoops. Inside the cabin, drivers will find a Recaro FIA racing seat, a quick-release steering wheel, a fire suppression system, a MoTeC data display and logging system, and a racing fuel cell.

All these exceptional features come at a starting price of $145,000, which is more than double the cost of the standard Mustang Dark Horse. Ford has confirmed that deliveries will commence before the preparation for the 2024 racing season, giving eager enthusiasts the chance to experience the adrenaline-pumping performance of the Mustang Dark Horse R on the track.

written by AI