Since the launch of the all-new S650 generation 2024 Ford Mustang this past summer, we’ve seen the pony car subjected to comparison tests, multiple dyno sessions for both the GT and Dark Horse, and even those two V8-powered models drag racing each other. Now, Hagerty has treated us to yet another comparison, this time between the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse and a slew of competitors including the 2024 Lotus Emira, 2023 Toyota GR Supra, 2023 BMW M2, Chevy Camaro SS, and Dodge SRT Challenger Scat Pack Wide Body Shakedown Last Call.
For this particular test, Hagerty got its hands on a 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse with the six-speed manual transmission, along with the optional and super sticky Pirelli Trofeo RS tires. Regardless, its 5.0L V8 Coyote engine churns out a cool 500 horsepower and 418 pound-feet of torque. However, what’s particularly impressive about the first round of drag races – against the automatic-equipped Camaro and Challenger – the Dark Horse still manages to hang with both by running a 12.5-second quarter-mile – tying the Dodge and coming in just behind the Camaro at 12.2 seconds.
Hagerty notes that had the Dark Horse been equipped with a 10-speed automatic, this race would have gone much differently – but unfortunately, such a combination isn’t exactly easy to procure right now. Regardless, we move on to another interesting part of the segment, which pits the pony car against some foreign machines that are also equipped with manual gearboxes.
When the dust settles, the BMW M2 manages to tie the Camaro with a 12.2-second quarter-mile, but the Lotus Emira trails behind with a 12.6-second run, and the  Supra holds up the rear with a 12.9-second jaunt down the track. These are truly compelling results for certain, given the fact that all of these modern speed machines are so close in terms of straight-line acceleration – in spite of their many differences.
We’ll have more on the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse soon, so be sure to subscribe to Ford Authority for more Ford Mustang news and around-the-clock Ford news coverage.
Comments
It’s certainly interesting how this grouping continues to change, both by a reduction in candidates, and with what some would consider more upstream offerings. Who would have predicted 20 to 30 years ago that a Mustang would be competing with a Lotus! Just let that sink in for a moment or two…
Lotus aside, the only problem is the Mustang is starting to price itself with the upstream offerings. The M2 starts at 63.2k and the Dark Horse at 59.2k and the M2 ends at 76.5k and the Dark Horse at 89.4k when all the bells and whistles are checked off yet the M2 offers better construction and more premium materials. The V8 is immaterial as the video shows since the M2 was much faster (granted the Dark Horse has an available A10 trans). The Mustang acquits itself well performance wise, but it still needs to work on a few things. Basically, Ford needs to win over the international press when it comes to fit, finish and materials. I recently checked out an S650 and the interior is a step up from the S550 in many ways but there were a few issues like the fit around the steering column that just seemed cheap to me, and the switches located below the touch screen and how easily the face plate deflected which seems like something straight out of the late malaise era rather than a vehicle crafted post millennium , especially 20+ years into the new millennium (who the hell signed off on that?).
My other gripe is Ford really should have introduced a brand-new chassis. At the prices the car is starting to go for maybe it should drop the sporty 2+2 configuration and just go for the 2-seater coupe at this point. Ford could have some features from the soon to be released Mustang GTD and given the car an SLA IFS and a transaxle for better weight distribution and entered the market where the previous C7 Corvette made space. Mustang is no longer an affordable sporty/sports coupe and the market for a secondary fun for the low and middle income class unless it is the rare single person or couple that elected not to have kids and isn’t burdened by high rents or mortgages really doesn’t exist anymore. Ford even acknowledges this by saying Mustang is an aspirational car instead of an attainable car for the working class.