The all-new Mustang is here with a refreshing look, features, and, most importantly, slightly updated powertrains. However, Ford also revealed the Mustang Dark Horse, the first proper track weapon with a Blue Oval in over two decades. Apart from its sinister looks, the performance is impressive, too, making it the most potent Mustang ever built to date. But is it all sunshine and butterflies with this newly revealed super-Mustang?

While the seventh-generation Mustang looks much better than the model it replaces, the Dark Horse trims add a lot of visual sharpness to the updated look. The front fascia is accompanied by darkened all-LED headlights, blackened trapezoidal intake vents, a more prominent splitter on the bumper, and glossy ‘fangs.’ In addition, the sides have the Dark Horse logo, wider fenders, and side skirts, while the rear has a fixed wing, dark-finished quad exhaust tailpipes, and a race-inspired diffuser.

In a few words, the Dark Horse makes the previous generation GT500 look dated and uninspiring. But, as per Ford’s global design boss, “it’s more than a new name. Dark Horse brings a new design language to Mustang that is refined yet perfectly suited to its dual purpose of street and track performance. The visual changes, both inside and out, message that Dark Horse has a directed performance focus.”

The cabin also has custom trim and design compared to the regular Mustang. For example, the dashboard trim, vents, and bezels are finished in a unique paint scheme named Black Alley- a dark metallic gloss finish. Other notable changes include the thicker sports steering wheel, metal paddle shifters for the automatic gearbox variants, blue contrast stitching on the door panels and seats, blue seatbelts, and a 12-speaker B&O audio system. As for the tech, both the 12.4-inch MID and the 13.2-inch infotainment system are carried over from the new but standard Mustang.

The Dark Horse will feature the same 5.0-liter Coyote V-8 that powers the 760-horsepower GT500, but Ford did some tweaks like updated piston connecting rods and a dual throttle body intake system. Ford claims that the V-8 will produce 500 horsepower, while the torque figures remain undisclosed. Many of you think that the power figures are not that impressive, but let me tell you that the Dark Horse series is more track-oriented, just like the Porsche 911 GT3 RS.

Ford will offer two additional variants of the Mustang Dark Horse: S and R. The Dark Horse S is developed for enthusiasts who spend the weekends on racetracks, whereas the R variant is strictly for race use. Features like hood pins, tow hooks, an adjustable rear wing, and a custom full-exhaust system will be offered with the Dark Horse S. The race-spec R will have all the above features along with a fuel cell for increased efficiency, strategic seam welding, and Ford Performance Parts lightweight wheels.