Since its launch this past summer, the new, range-topping 2024 Ford Mustang has won its fair share of comparison tests, taking down the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger Shakedown R/T Scat Pack Widebody, the Challenger Scat Pack 392 Widebody, and the Chevy Camaro ZL1. Now, the all-new, range-topping 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse is at is once again, this time defeating the latest version of the BMW M2 in a new comparison test from MotorTrend.
With the Camaro and Challenger going away (for now, at least), the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse will soon be competing with some non-traditional rivals such as the BMW M2, which is all-new for 2023. The new M2 is larger and heavier than its predecessor – still roughly 200 pounds lighter than the Dark Horse – but packs plenty of power, with its twin-turbocharged 3.0L six-cylinder engine cranking out 453 horsepower, which in this application flows to the rear wheels via a six-speed manual transmission.
In this case, MT‘s 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse is equipped with the optional Handling Package, which adds the coveted, supercar-friendly Pirelli P Zero Trofeo RS tires, along with various other upgrades. Like the M2, this example is equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox, though it has a bit of a power advantage thanks to its 500 ponies that are on tap and ready to run.
However, the M2 did manage to out-accelerate the Dark Horse with a 0-60 time of 3.8 seconds versus 4.1, along with a quicker 12.2-second quarter-mile versus the Mustang’s 12.6. The Dark Horse braked from 60-0 in just 90 feet, compared to the M2’s 101 feet, and it also beat the Bimmer on the skidpad with 1.06 g of lateral grip versus 1.02 g. In non-performance metrics, MT preferred the M2’s interior over the Mustang’s, but otherwise, the Dark Horse proved to be too good to overcome.
“With its brash, fire-breathing V8, astounding performance numbers, aggressive styling, and daily livability, the Dark Horse is not only a dynamite Mustang – it’s a dynamite sport coupe, period, and this time it takes the win by the slimmest of margins,” MT noted. “Yes, we know, there’s likely no convincing German car aficionados to cut a check to Ford, but they can console themselves with the fact the M2 is a killer car, too.”
We’ll have more on the Mustang and its competition soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for more Ford Mustang news and continuous Ford news coverage.
Comments
Used to be you could forgive the Mustang’s interior (I sat in one today and it’s not a bad place to be in fairness) but they are so close in price now (M2 to DH) that there is no excuse on Ford’s part. The Mustang’s interior should be every bit as premium as the M2’s. Same with the steering on the Mustang. Ford is asking premium pricing so they should be able to deliver on the premium experience.
Lealand I agree that top end Mustangs whether ICE or EV should have top end interiors at least equal to that found in the Lincoln brand at that price level. Ford has the parts to make a superior product at this price point. Don’t drop the ball now Ford.
They do for the class they are competing in. The article shows how the Mustang is best “all around sports coupe” ..in the world. Facts. Your taking it all out of context. Mustang mods are much easier than a Bimmer. So much you can do (relatively cheaply) if you need MORE performance. Do you tho?..
A big 500 hp and all that traction, but with 4,000 lbs. of corn-fed pork holding it back, the best it can do is mid-12’s at about 114 mph? Meh. You’d think by now the ‘Stang ought to be a high-11 sec car trapping in low-120’s, but it just keeps getting fatter. As such, I might rather have it as a loaded GT convertible, since the outright performance aspirations of that model aren’t as great. More of a “take the wife for a nice weekend drive” car.
Extra weight is safety controls & all the TECH ppl demand. It’s plenty fast enough for 99% drivers out there! Where’s the all new Camaro? Challenger? Oh forgot.. discontinued. Supra? Overpriced junk.
Right on the money. The late-’90s Mustangs had a 50/50 weight balance and wasn’t a lightweights, but the Mustang has just gotten worse since…culminating in such a bloated state that it takes 500 HP just to haul its fat ass down the street with any gusto.
It is PREMIUM . BMW is known to have best in the industry. Your also payin more! So your comment is quite honestly out of context .
So… the BMW out-accelerated the Mustang and beat it in the quarter-mile… but the Mustang “wins?” Because of a tiny advantage in lateral G, and a bit in braking?
What a crock. Ford should have put the Mustang’s fat ass on a diet the way we hoped they would for the 50th anniversary. And the styling is stale now, something Ford used to avoid while GM let the Camaro and Corvette grow cobwebs for a decade.
Performing impressively on tracks these days, the Mustang is obviously no longer merely a “go fast in a straight line” vehicle – it’s performance light-years better than Mustangs a mere 15 years ago. That said, I agree about the interior – and this is the case with a LOT of Ford vehicles. Especially so with that battleship grey that Ford keeps insisting on using on so many vehicles. It’s seriously ugly, was last in style in the 1990’s. Beyond that, the interior design in this is dated, geriatric, blocky and screams “basic” in a really bad kind of way. This would be fine on a low-end vehicle, but not at this price.
Fact is BMW is still better overall
I have a 2019 Bullitt and a 2024 M2 on order. (Both MT, RWD) I originally planned on getting a Dark Horse and passing the Bullitt to my son, however, I switched to the M2 because of BMW’s superior customer service level. If I’m dropping over $65k on a car, I want the dealer service to be on par.
Conveniently not mentioning the results of the drag race by Hagerty….hmm 😅
This is coming from someone who has owned two Mustangs and no BMWs.