Zac Quinn 
Last week, during the New York International Auto Show, Ford brought the all-new 2024 S650 Ford Mustang Dark Horse to the event so a few people could get into the passenger seat and experience a first ride within the most performance-focused Ford Mustang for the 2024 model year. The first rides took place over the entire day Wednesday, and while they weren’t all that exciting as New York is known for its assortment of traffic lights and traffic, it was still neat to hear the car and see it traversing the streets, albeit slowly. Maybe that’s why Ford kept it a surprise up to that point – because sitting in traffic is not the ideal way to experience a 500 hp muscle car with a clutch pedal.
Ford Mustang Dark Horse Ride Along: Details
A few videos were posted onto the Mustang7g forum thread, which showcased a brief walkaround and the epic exhaust note that should come with a headphone warning. The closeup of the car makes every edge and detail pop, assisting with showcasing the absolute beauty of the S650 Ford Mustang Dark Horse. During the ride, we get a great look at the titanium shift knob and some of the car’s features, along with a closer look at the menus and screens for the digital instrument cluster and infotainment system. In case you were wondering, yes, the manual does have launch control, though, for obvious reasons, that feature wasn’t demonstrated in the streets of New York.
We also didn’t get to see the drift brake in action. However, it was demonstrated that it doubles as a parking brake, and through the menu, one can switch its function to work as the drift brake, which should give beginners and experts plenty of fun on a track without anyone else around to bump into. While the vast majority of the first ride talks about the assortment of features for the Ford Mustang Dark Horse, it’s hard to pay attention as eyes trail across the aesthetic of the interior, which has been enhanced with textures that feature tech-inspired “white noise” and carbon fiber-inspired grains.
The Rev matching function, also showcased in the first drive, is an excellent feature that should enable even the more beginner manual drivers to enjoy all the fun that can be had with the new 5.0L Coyote V8 engine. The motors have been extensively revised and are more powerful and efficient than ever. In the case of the Ford Mustang Dark Horse, that equates to 500 horsepower under the hood, which is bound to get plenty of people in trouble. Check out the videos to hear and see the new model in action.
