Ford Mustang Dark Horse R Teased Ahead Of Official Reveal

July 27, 2023 9:06 am

2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse R Teaser - Exterior 001 - Front Three Quarters

In the midst of a motorsports renaissance that coincides with the launch of the all-new, next-generation, S650 2024 Ford Mustang, The Blue Oval has thus far revealed that it plans to launch a bevy of new racers based on the range-topping Dark Horse model – the Dark Horse S, Dark Horse R, GT3, and GT4. The GT3 debuted last month packing a special version of the naturally-aspirated Ford 5.0L V8 Coyote powerplant that displaces 5.4 liters, and just a few weeks later, FoMoCo pulled the covers off the all-new GT4 as well. Now, as we’re awaiting the debut of the Ford Mustang Dark Horse R – scheduled to happen tonight at 7pm ET – FoMoCo has provided us with one more enticing teaser to tide us over until then.

2024 Ford Mustang GT4

Here, we get to see the Ford Mustang Dark Horse R in its natural state – the track – where it’s little more than a blur. This obviously isn’t ideal for figuring out the finer details of this new race car, but we can clearly see its Dark Horse styling influence at both ends. The racer is also sporting the same type of unique livery that debuted on the Mustang GT3, GT4, and SuperVan 4.2, which created by legendary motorsports designer Troy Lee Designs.

What we do know about the Dark Horse R is that it will – like the Dark Horse S – be a track-only variant of the new pony car, powered by the 5.0L V8 Coyote engine. The Dark Horse S is designed to appeal to weekend track day enthusiasts, a stripped-down vehicle with only requisite safety gear, an adjustable rear wing, a fire suppression system, the same wheels as the street-legal Dark Horse, upgraded brakes, and Multimatic DSSV dampers. Inside the cabin, drivers will find center panel-mounted controls, a pit speed limiter, data and acquisition display system, and an optional passenger seat.

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The Dark Horse R takes things to the next level and is designed for hardcore racers, building upon the S with some additional features. Those include a special serialization that approves the car for racing, strategic seam welding, a fuel cell for increased range, and Ford Performance Parts wheels.

We’ll have more on the Ford Mustang Dark Horse R soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for more Ford Mustang news and non-stop Ford news coverage.

By Brett Foote

Brett's lost track of all the Fords he's owned over the years and how much he's spent modifying them, but his current money pits include an S550 Mustang and 13th gen F-150.