Arriving only a few months ago, the Ford Mustang Dark Horse has now been given a significant tweak by Hennessey who has coupled a supercharger to the 5,0-litre V8 engine. The Texan-based tuner even offers an optional manual gearbox!
Standing by their mantra of “Making fast cars faster” Hennessey has wasted no time in enhancing the 2024 Ford Mustang to its highest-performing potential. With the fourth-generation Coyote 5,0-liter engine originally producing 373 kW and 566 N.m of torque in its naturally aspirated form, Hennessey has taken it a step further by adding a supercharger.
Looking for a Mustang? Find it here with CARmag.
The flagship S650 Mustang, appropriately named the Dark Horse, now rumbles to the tune of 634 kW (850 horsepower) and 884 N.m of torque. This extraordinary power is channelled to the rear wheels through either a six-speed Tremec manual transmission or Ford’s 10-speed automatic transmission.
To support this immense power upgrade, Hennessey has also incorporated upgrades such as beefier fuel injectors, a high-flow air induction system, a new high-flow fuel pump, and an engine management software update. As a result, the Mustang Dark Horse boasts approximately 70% more power than its standard counterpart.
Related: Ford’s Mustang GT4 is a Dark Horse reborn with race pedigree
In addition to the mechanical upgrades, the “H850” package includes visual enhancements to match its extreme performance. Hennessey has fitted custom carbon fibre side skirts, a front splitter, and a rear spoiler, adding a touch of aggression and aerodynamic efficiency. The package also features forged wheels, body graphics, special badging, and embroidered headrests.
Related: Ford’s all-new seventh-generation Mustang Dark Horse
Although pricing details are yet to be announced, Hennessey offers a three-year/36 000-mile warranty with the H850 package. The first conversions are expected to be available in the fourth quarter of 2023, a year after the model originally broke cover.
It’s worth noting that the 2024 Mustang Dark Horse is already an exclusive offering from Ford, with limited availability. The base Dark Horse model is priced at $59 270 (R1 063 000) in its country of origin, while the Dark Horse Premium variant comes in at $63 265 (R1 134 759).
For anything more extreme than the Hennessey derivative of the Pony car, Ford has also planned track-only versions under the Mustang Dark Horse S and Dark Horse R names, developed through its performance division, Ford Performance. These models are specifically designed for racing series such as GT3, GT4, NASCAR, and NHRA Factory X, and are not intended for road use.