More 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse details revealed
The Ford Mustang Dark Horse – the iconic muscle car’s new flagship variant – could cost more than $90,000 when it arrives in Australia in the second half of 2023.
US pricing for the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse V8 has leaked online – and new photos of its interior and exterior have been published – giving an indication of how the flagship muscle car could cost.
Revealed in September 2022, Ford’s seventh-generation Mustang line-up will be headlined by the Dark Horse, which sits above the standard Mustang GT V8 and replaces the Mustang Mach 1 in the outgoing range as the most expensive variant, excluding the Shelby models in the US.
Based on calculations by Drive – using leaked US prices as a guide – the Ford Mustang Dark Horse could go on sale from about $90,000 plus on-road costs when it arrives in Australia, though specific prices will be confirmed closer to its local arrival in the second half of 2023.
The prices above are extrapolated from US pricing for the outgoing Ford Mustang GT, which is about $US42,000 ($AU60,500) in its home market, but $65,290 plus on-road costs in Australia – a difference of approximately eight per cent when comparing the currency conversion to its local price.
As reported by Ford Authority, insiders from Ford told the publication the Mustang Dark Horse will start from $US57,970 in the US – equivalent to $AU83,700.
If the Ford Mustang Dark Horse is priced from approximately $90,000 plus on-road costs and options in Australia – based on the US calculatons – it would be $7500 dearer than the outgoing Mustang Mach 1 in Australia, which was priced from $83,365.
In December 2022, Ford confirmed all 2024 Mustang variants are due to receive a power increase in the US, with the Dark Horse to develop up to 373kW and 566Nm from its 5.0-litre V8 engine.
According to Ford Authority, the Ford Mustang Dark Horse will also be offered with a number of optional extras in the US – including an appearance package ($US1250/$AU1800), handling package ($US4500/$AU6500), Recaro sports bucket seats ($US1650/$AU2400), and a 10-speed automatic transmission ($US1595/$AU2300).
The Ford Mustang Dark Horse’s most expensive option will be a set of carbon-fibre wheels – reportedly priced from $US8495 ($AU12,270) in the US – which are made in Australia by Geelong-based company Carbon Revolution.
Ford has also shared more official details about the Mustang Dark Horse’s exterior and interior appearance, publishing the first images of its cabin.
Inside, the Ford Mustang Dark Horse will be equipped with an anodised blue titanium gear knob when ordered as a six-speed manual transmission – while automatic owners score anodised silver shift paddles mounted on the back of the steering wheel.
The interior’s cabin adopts a blue theme, with ‘Indigo Blue’ accents and contrast stitching paired with black synthetic suede on the car’s seats, steering wheel, door trim and dashboard.
A 13.2-inch touchscreen will be mounted on the car’s dashboard, surrounded by a gloss black bezel and carbon fibre-look trim.
While Ford hasn’t confirmed the full range of paint colours available for the Mustang Dark Horse, it has given a name to the finish which has been used in a majority of its official press images – Blue Ember.
According to a Ford media statement, Blue Ember “features special effect pigments of deep blues infused with a warm amber hue”, giving it a colour-shifting appearance in different lights and environments.
Ford will also offer the Dark Horse with vinyl or hand-painted exterior stripes on its bonnet, while the optional ‘appearance package’ is said to add a black roof.
As previously reported, the 2024 Ford Mustang range is due to arrive in Australia between July and September 2023, pending any delays.
