2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse R Race Car In-Depth Guide

On a scorching summer day, the racers are preparing for an exhilarating day of tire-shredding excitement. The familiar faces are already lined up, but word has it that a new car is joining the race with some serious power. As the rumble grows louder, an intoxicating exotic sound of a V8 engine revs up, announcing the arrival of the new contender. It’s the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse R, a destructive beast crafted to conquer the racetrack and assert the dominance of its rivals, relegating them to the rear.

Bringing the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse R to the Track

Ford Performance recently unveiled the new Ford Mustang Dark Horse R version, with the “R” standing for race. This model was designed by Ford Performance with a focus on track performance, enabling it to compete in some of the toughest race series straight from the factory. It is a fully purpose-built race car ready to hit the tracks in the 2024 Mustang Challenge, serving as the official race car for the Mustang-exclusive race series. The Dark Horse R boasts improved handling, enhanced performance, braking capabilities, and safety features compared to the Dark Horse model.

Exterior

Externally, the car maintains the familiar appearance of the standard 2024 Mustang Dark Horse, showcasing its sleek body lines, wide stance, and aggressive demeanor.

The overall exterior design remained unchanged, as it was already well-received. Nevertheless, extra safety features have been incorporated. These include front and rear tow hooks for situations requiring assistance on grassy terrain, reinforced jack points to facilitate swift jack lifts for rapid tire changes, and underbody tie-down hoops for secure transportation and cargo safety.

Interior

Being that the new 2024 Mustang Dark Horse R is a track only oriented car, the interior is stripped, its weight-saving measures were top priority, sacrificing luxury for a more basic or minimalist interior with essential features only. However, several enhanced safety features have been incorporated to comply with race series and track regulations.

These include a range of upgrades such as an FIA-approved Recaro racing seat, FIA-approved Sparco race harness, fire suppression systems, a MoteC data display and logging system, an auxiliary driver keypad or control panel, and FIA-approved safety nets from Safecraft. These additions aim to provide the driver with real-time data and ensure a safe environment during track time.

Performance

Ford Performance originally designed this model with a focus on track performance, the 2024 Dark Horse R does share many similarities with the 2024 Dark Horse when it comes to the mechanical side of things. The Dark Horse R is equipped with a powerful 5.0 V8 Engine that delivers over 500 horsepower, paired with a Tremec 3160 manual transmission to transfer power to the rear wheels through a Torsen limited-slip differential and a standard 3.73 final drive ratio. The braking system features the same large Brembo calipers and rotors as the Dark Horse for precise and secure braking.

The primary enhancements aimed at addressing these concerns include an improved oil system, a Ford performance oil pan, enhanced transmission cooling, and an upgraded differential cooling system. These upgrades will help the car maintain peak performance during the race, mitigating potential overheating and oil starvation problems.

Another enhancement included in the upgrade was the high-performance Borla Exhaust system. This system improves the car’s breathing capacity, expelling the exhaust quickly to boost power and create an authentic race car sound that resonates deep down to the bone.

Handling and Chassis

Shifting focus to the components that enhance the grip of this specific race edition, let’s delve into the significant enhancements made to the Dark Horse R. Similar to the Dark Horse model, it features Brembo race calipers in the front and rear, equipped with Brembo race-spec brake pads. During intense braking, excessive heat can lead to brake fade and potential failure. To combat this, Ford Performance included race brake cooling ducts to help maintain optimal brake temperature consistently.

The wheels used are the Ford Performance parts R1 wheels, known for being strong and lightweight due to their flow-formed design. This results in reduced rotating mass for improved cornering precision. A 19″x10.5″ wheel was fitted in the front, while a large 19″x11″ wheel was installed in the rear. Additionally, these wheels are paired with a custom tire created by Michelin Tires specifically for the Mustang Challenge Series.

The chassis and suspension underwent slight adjustments to enhance performance, while a roll cage was installed to provide extra protection in case of a rollover. Selected body seams were welded to reinforce the factory spot welds, strengthening the car’s rigidity and crash safety. Ford Performance has elevated its safety measures significantly. Additionally, the standard shock absorbers were swapped out for Multimatic’s DSSV dampers, adjustable camber plates were added, and the anti-roll bars were upgraded to fully adjustable versions.

Pricing

The price for the upcoming 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse R will begin at $145,000 USD, with deliveries scheduled to commence in early 2024 for the racing season.

2024 Mustang Mustang Dark Horse R Specifications

Engine Engine Type Displacement Transmission Rear Gear Ratio	5.0L Ti-VCT V8 Engine Naturally Aspirated V8 5.038L 6 Speed Manual 3.73
Horsepower	500+ HP (estimated)
Torque	418+ TQ (estimated)
0-60 MPH	N/A
Quarter Mile Time	N/A
Top Speed	165 mph (estimated)
Curb Weight Wheel Base Length Width Height Passenger Volume Trunk Volume	N/A lbs (Manual) 107.1 inches 189.7 inches 75.5 inches 55.2 inches N/A N/A (Filled with Fuel Cell)
Suspension (F/R) Front Brakes Rear Brakes Wheels & Tires	Multimatic DSSV Dampers 390mm with 6 Piston Brembo Caliper 340mm 4 Piston Brembo Caliper 19”x10.5” Front 19”x11” Rear Tires Bespoke Michelin Tires
Base Price	$145,000 (USD)