{"id":31269,"date":"2023-08-03T15:11:29","date_gmt":"2023-08-03T19:11:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/?p=31269"},"modified":"2023-08-07T09:23:00","modified_gmt":"2023-08-07T13:23:00","slug":"payne-on-track-in-the-sinister-mustang-dark-horse","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/2023\/08\/payne-on-track-in-the-sinister-mustang-dark-horse","title":{"rendered":"Payne: On track in the sinister Mustang Dark Horse"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><em>Charlotte<\/em>,<em>\u00a0North Carolina<\/em>\u00a0\u2014 Heaven is riding a Ford Mustang Dark Horse at 7,500 RPM.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Coming off the 24-degree Turn One banking at Charlotte Motor Speedway, I banged the manual Tremec shifter from 4<sup>th<\/sup>\u00a0to 5<sup>th<\/sup>\u00a0gear at redline, all 500 ponies roaring in front of me. Down the back straight we thundered until a tight 180-degree hairpin interrupted our reverie.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">But for all of the V-8\u2019s glorious aria, the infield course on Charlotte\u2019s 2.3-mile \u201croval\u201d (road oval, combining Charlotte\u2019s oval track with a tight infield course) is where the Dark Horse really shows its stuff.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/gcdn\/presto\/2023\/08\/02\/PDTN\/474602e7-04ae-4cbc-a452-da725d403d70-MustangDarkHorse_track-turn.jpg?width=990&amp;height=660&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" width=\"576\" height=\"384\" \/><\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Building on the seventh-generation Mustang I recently tested in the canyons of Angeles Crest Highway north of Los Angeles, Dark Horse is the new-gen Mustang\u2019s first performance variant.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">It\u2019s no GT350 \u2013 the screaming, 526-horse, 8,000 RPM, V8-powered Shelby variant that Ford introduced with its 2015 sixth-gen coupe \u2013 but it\u2019ll do. Credit Mustang\u2019s entry into IMSA\u2019s new GT3 and Mustang Challenge series with a pair of snorting, earth-pawing race cars \u2013 both flying the Dark Horse banner. Win on Sunday, sell Dark Horses on Monday.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"gnt_m gnt_x gnt_x__lbl gnt_x__al\" aria-label=\"advertisement\">\n<div id=\"ad-slot-7103-mi-detroit-C1561-native-article_link-money-autos-2\" class=\"gnt_x_sl gnt_x_al\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-method=\"lazyLoadX\"><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Dark Horse is one mean-lookin\u2019 filly.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">You\u2019ll know it by the black mask enveloping the grille and headlights. Black stripes flow up the hood (there are graphics options, typical of Mustang customization) like striping on a stallion\u2019s nose. Get Dark Horse in red or Grabber Blue to highlight the black trim.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">The visual allows for instant differentiation from the yellow GT that I flogged in California. And the Dark Horse picks up where the loaded $60K GT lets off: performance package with upgraded P-Zero summer tires, sway-bars, brakes and spoiler out back.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"gnt_m gnt_x gnt_x__lbl gnt_x__al\" aria-label=\"advertisement\">\n<div id=\"ad-slot-7103-mi-detroit-C1561-native-article_link-money-autos-3\" class=\"gnt_x_sl gnt_x_al\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-method=\"lazyLoadX\" data-x-c=\"2\"><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Decelerating into Charlotte Motor Speedway\u2019s hairpin, these elements combine to bring the two-door missile back to earth, just as they teamed up in the GT to conquer California Route 2 with precise handling and instant toque. Indeed, Dark Horse destroyed the rolling North Carolina country roads leading into the Motor Speedway of Charlotte.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/gcdn\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2023\/08\/02\/PDTN\/70512991007-mustang-dark-horse-trackbanking.jpg?width=660&amp;height=440&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" alt=\"Pirelli P Zero Trofeo RS tires on the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse help it grip the 24-degree Charlotte Motor Speedway Banking at speeds over 100 mph.\" width=\"510\" height=\"340\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/gcdn\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2023\/08\/02\/PDTN\/70512991007-mustang-dark-horse-trackbanking.jpg?width=660&amp;height=440&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" srcset=\"\/gcdn\/authoring\/authoring-images\/2023\/08\/02\/PDTN\/70512991007-mustang-dark-horse-trackbanking.jpg?width=1320&amp;height=880&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp 2x\" alt=\"Pirelli P Zero Trofeo RS tires on the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse help it grip the 24-degree Charlotte Motor Speedway Banking at speeds over 100 mph.\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_img_ccw gnt_em_img_ccw__cap gnt_em_img_ccw__crd\" data-c-caption=\"Pirelli P Zero Trofeo RS tires on the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse help it grip the 24-degree Charlotte Motor Speedway Banking at speeds over 100 mph.\" data-c-credit=\"Wes Duenkel, Ford\"><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">But the track is Dark Horse\u2019s natural habitat. I encourage owners to spend time there to explore its envelope. Here the engine, brakes, tires and transmission are pushed to the limit of heat and grip. It\u2019s why Ford upgraded Mustang\u2019s manual transmission from a Getrag unit in the GT to the Dark Horse\u2019s Tremec \u2014 the latter equipped with two coolers to withstand sizzling temps.<\/p>\n<aside id=\"gnt_atomsnc\" class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_anc\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-method=\"loadAnc\" aria-label=\"Newsletter signup form\">\n<div class=\"label\" hidden=\"\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"message\">\n<div class=\"title\">Get the\u00a0<span class=\"highlight\">Michigan Politics<\/span>\u00a0newsletter in your inbox.<\/div>\n<p class=\"description\">Washington and Lansing, red and blue, we&#8217;ve got your government covered.<\/p>\n<div class=\"frequency\">Delivery: Daily<\/div>\n<div class=\"container\">\n<div class=\"input-container populated\">\n<p><input autocomplete=\"off\" name=\"email\" required=\"\" type=\"email\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"clickable\"><\/div>\n<p><label>Your Email<\/label><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"bar\">\n<div class=\"highlight\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"progress-primary\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"progress-secondary\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">It\u2019s why you\u2019ll want to upgrade to the $4,995 Dark Horse Handling Package and its sticky P-Zero Trofeo RS rubber (or buy a new set of rims and take slick tires to the track). The Handling Pack comes with goodies like an adjustable rear wing and front splitter \u2014 but it\u2019s the tires that are the secret sauce.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Hard on the brakes into the hairpin, the Pirelli gumballs gripped the pavement with confidence compared to the slipperier summer P-Zeros. Rev-matching with the manual shifter help make for smooth corner entry \u2014 BRAP! BRAP! BRAP! \u2014 as I shifted from fifth to second for the tight left-hander.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"gnt_m gnt_x gnt_x__lbl gnt_x__al\" aria-label=\"advertisement\">\n<div id=\"ad-slot-7103-mi-detroit-C1561-native-article_link-money-autos-4\" class=\"gnt_x_sl gnt_x_al\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-method=\"lazyLoadX\" data-x-c=\"3\"><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Sticky as they are, the Trofeos couldn\u2019t contain the 5.0-liter Coyote V-8\u2019s 415 pound-feet of torque, and the rear end briefly stepped out as I stomped the throttle up into Infield Turn 3. Sliding across the 90-degree Turn 3 apex, Dark Horse was remarkably balanced for a 3,900-pound land shark that has swallowed a V-8 boat anchor \u2014 but uphill Turn 4 would be a bigger challenge.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/gcdn\/presto\/2023\/08\/02\/PDTN\/4e6681fa-00b4-4074-8bd2-eec348140a49-MustangDarkHorse_console.jpg?width=660&amp;height=372&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" alt=\"The 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse comes standard with a 6-speed manual Tremec transmission topped by a blue shift knob.\" width=\"527\" height=\"297\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/gcdn\/presto\/2023\/08\/02\/PDTN\/4e6681fa-00b4-4074-8bd2-eec348140a49-MustangDarkHorse_console.jpg?width=660&amp;height=372&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" srcset=\"\/gcdn\/presto\/2023\/08\/02\/PDTN\/4e6681fa-00b4-4074-8bd2-eec348140a49-MustangDarkHorse_console.jpg?width=1320&amp;height=744&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp 2x\" alt=\"The 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse comes standard with a 6-speed manual Tremec transmission topped by a blue shift knob.\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_img_ccw gnt_em_img_ccw__cap gnt_em_img_ccw__crd\" data-c-caption=\"The 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse comes standard with a 6-speed manual Tremec transmission topped by a blue shift knob.\" data-c-credit=\"Henry Payne, The Detroit News\"><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">A long 180-degree left-hander, Turn 4 is essentially half a skid pad \u2014 an opportunity to get to the sports car\u2019s true character. And Mustang likes to, um, understeer.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Ford\u2019s chief muscle car competitor, Camaro, has shown up the Ford pony in such exercises given the Chevy\u2019s neutral handling (credit a chassis shared with the corner-carving Cadillac CT4-V). Sure enough, Dark Horse \u2014 like a pack horse distracted by some delicious grass on the side of a trail \u2014 was stubborn about turning into Turn 4, its nose plowing straight ahead.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Patience, Payne. I back off the throttle and rotate the big coupe into the apex. Once it sniffed the apex, Dark Horse responded, the Trofoes absorbing power. I get back on throttle again \u2014 only to face yet another 180-degree Turn 5. And another for Turn 7. And again in Turns 8 and 9.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"gnt_m gnt_x gnt_x__lbl gnt_x__al\" aria-label=\"advertisement\">\n<div id=\"ad-slot-7103-mi-detroit-C1561-native-article_link-money-autos-5\" class=\"gnt_x_sl gnt_x_al\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-method=\"lazyLoadX\" data-x-c=\"4\"><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">The inherent push is always there, but I learned to coordinate V-8 torque and sticky rubber to hit my marks. It\u2019s what makes track days so much fun, and why eight-holers like Mustang are track favorites. The Coyote\u2019s wail echoed off CMS\u2019s walls as I pounded around lap after lap.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/gcdn\/presto\/2023\/08\/02\/PDTN\/55cbf730-debe-4b8c-9f1d-b739fafc7514-MustangDarkHorse_pit-red-rr.jpg?width=660&amp;height=372&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" alt=\"The 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse options an extra Dark Horse Performance Pack with upgraded tires, suspension, and wing. You'll know it by the black front fender flares.\" width=\"509\" height=\"287\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/gcdn\/presto\/2023\/08\/02\/PDTN\/55cbf730-debe-4b8c-9f1d-b739fafc7514-MustangDarkHorse_pit-red-rr.jpg?width=660&amp;height=372&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" srcset=\"\/gcdn\/presto\/2023\/08\/02\/PDTN\/55cbf730-debe-4b8c-9f1d-b739fafc7514-MustangDarkHorse_pit-red-rr.jpg?width=1320&amp;height=744&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp 2x\" alt=\"The 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse options an extra Dark Horse Performance Pack with upgraded tires, suspension, and wing. You'll know it by the black front fender flares.\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_img_ccw gnt_em_img_ccw__cap gnt_em_img_ccw__crd\" data-c-caption=\"The 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse options an extra Dark Horse Performance Pack with upgraded tires, suspension, and wing. You'll know it by the black front fender flares.\" data-c-credit=\"Henry Payne, The Detroit News\"><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Dark Horse options leather Recaro seats, which were both supportive and comfortable \u2014 unlike the back-crippling carbon-fiber seats I recently experienced in the BMW M3.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">With its gorgeous 19-inch display screens housing digital instrument and infotainment displays, seventh-gen V-8 Mustangs can now be credibly considered peers of the Bimmer, which boasts a similar display. In past generations, interiors weren\u2019t Mustang\u2019s strength, but that has changed and you\u2019ll enjoy customizing Dark Horse\u2019s track modes \u2014 augmented by Unreal Engine gaming graphics that are BMW\u2019s match.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">One thing Mustang could learn from Bimmer is to put its horizontal RPM tachometer (TRACK mode) in a head-up display for maximum driver visibility. Especially since the Dark Horse tops out at a nose-bleed $72K. That\u2019s $15K shy of a loaded, 500-horse M4 Competition, but still a lot of coin considering that the Corvette C8 and Porsche Cayman start in the mid-$60,000 range.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"gnt_em gnt_em_img\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/gcdn\/presto\/2023\/08\/02\/PDTN\/21abd350-73b5-4529-af73-d98384f1dcb5-MustangDarkHorse_pit-tach.jpg?width=660&amp;height=372&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" alt=\"In TRACK mode, the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse tachometer goes horizontal for better visibility.\" width=\"571\" height=\"322\" \/><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"gnt_em_img_i\" src=\"https:\/\/www.detroitnews.com\/gcdn\/presto\/2023\/08\/02\/PDTN\/21abd350-73b5-4529-af73-d98384f1dcb5-MustangDarkHorse_pit-tach.jpg?width=660&amp;height=372&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp\" srcset=\"\/gcdn\/presto\/2023\/08\/02\/PDTN\/21abd350-73b5-4529-af73-d98384f1dcb5-MustangDarkHorse_pit-tach.jpg?width=1320&amp;height=744&amp;fit=crop&amp;format=pjpg&amp;auto=webp 2x\" alt=\"In TRACK mode, the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse tachometer goes horizontal for better visibility.\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" \/><\/p>\n<div class=\"gnt_em_img_ccw gnt_em_img_ccw__cap gnt_em_img_ccw__crd\" data-c-caption=\"In TRACK mode, the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse tachometer goes horizontal for better visibility.\" data-c-credit=\"Henry Payne, The Detroit News\"><\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">But add a proper, howling V-6 to the Cayman and price soars to $93K. The Corvette is stiffer competition. Add a Z51 performance package and the Chevy is competitively priced with the Ford while providing its own 495-horse V-8 and high-tech interior. Especially if you equip the Mustang with the $1,595 10-speed automatic, which rivals the \u2018Vette for smooth motoring. The \u2018Vette doesn\u2019t offer a manual, however.<\/p>\n<aside class=\"gnt_m gnt_x gnt_x__lbl gnt_x__al\" aria-label=\"advertisement\">\n<div id=\"ad-slot-7103-mi-detroit-C1561-native-article_link-money-autos-6\" class=\"gnt_x_sl gnt_x_al\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-method=\"lazyLoadX\" data-x-c=\"5\"><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Rotating out of the last 180-degree Turn 9 back up onto CMS\u2019s banking, I grabbed the blue shifter knob and shoved it into third gear at redline. Then 4<sup>th<\/sup>\u00a0gear, the cannon-sized quad pipes out back exhaling with a snort. Coyote howling toward redline.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">I grabbed for 5th. Heaven.<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><em>Next week: 2023 GMC Sierra AT4X<\/em><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"gnt_ar_b_h2\">2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse<\/h2>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Vehicle type: Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, four-passenger sports car<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Price: $60,865 base, including $1,595 destination ($67,510 manual and $72,800 automatic as tested)<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Power plant: 5.0-liter V-8<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Power: 500 horsepower, 418 pound-feet of torque<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Transmission: Six-speed manual; 10-speed automatic<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Performance: 0-60 mph, 3.8-4.3 seconds (Car and Driver est.); top speed: 165 mph<\/p>\n<aside class=\"gnt_m gnt_x gnt_x__lbl gnt_x__al\" aria-label=\"advertisement\">\n<div id=\"ad-slot-7103-mi-detroit-C1561-native-article_link-money-autos-7\" class=\"gnt_x_sl gnt_x_al\" data-g-r=\"lazy\" data-gl-method=\"lazyLoadX\" data-x-c=\"6\"><\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Weight: 3,949 pounds (manual); 3,993 (automatic)<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Fuel economy: EPA 14 mpg city\/22 mpg highway\/17 mpg combined (manual)<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><strong>Report card<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Highs: Looks wicked; Trofeo RS tires grip like glue<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Lows: Understeer at the limit; Mustang GT with slicks gets you to the same place for less coin<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\">Overall: 3 stars<\/p>\n<p class=\"gnt_ar_b_p\"><em>Henry Payne is auto critic for The Detroit News. Find him at hpayne@detroitnews.com or Twitter @HenryEPayne<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Charlotte,\u00a0North Carolina\u00a0\u2014 Heaven is riding a Ford Mustang Dark Horse at 7,500 RPM. Coming off the 24-degree Turn One banking at Charlotte Motor Speedway, I banged the manual Tremec shifter from 4th\u00a0to 5th\u00a0gear at redline, all 500 ponies roaring in front of me. Down the back straight we thundered until a tight 180-degree hairpin interrupted [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,87],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31269"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=31269"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31269\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":31287,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/31269\/revisions\/31287"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=31269"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=31269"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=31269"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}