Ford Mustang Dark Horse Review

The Dark Horse is what happens when the engineers get the budget. The Coyote V8 is raised to 500 horsepower with forged connecting rods borrowed from the Shelby GT500, the manual is a stronger Tremec unit, the brakes are proper Brembos, and the suspension and steering are retuned rather than merely stiffened. On track it holds up in a way that Mustangs historically have not, and the optional track package with adjustable dampers turns it into something you can genuinely take to a circuit weekend without embarrassment.

The problem is the number on the window. Sixty thousand dollars puts it against cars with better interiors and more sophisticated chassis, and the Mustang's cabin, while much improved, is still assembled to a price. Fuel economy is worse than the standard GT and the tyres are expensive. Servicing remains cheap and parts are everywhere, which quietly makes this one of the least painful things here to own. It is the best Mustang, and it is no longer a bargain.