Zac Quinn 
The 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse is taking up the mantle as the most performance-oriented trim for the launch of the S650 generation, taking the place of the Mach 1 with more power and curb appeal than ever before. To enhance the S650 Mustang Dark Horse further, Ford detailed the kind of unique design features that blend physical sensations with cutting edge techniques that can be found on this 500 horsepower trim level.
Ford Mustang Dark Horse: Interior Design
The inside of the Mustang Dark Horse is the heart of the vehicle. The all-new anodized blue, lightweight titanium manual shift knob is hollow, which improves its ability to remain cool in warmer weather, as metal shift knobs are known to trap heat. In addition, for customers who choose the 10-speed SelectShift automatic transmission, anodized silver paddle shifters are included.
The Dark Horse also features a flat-bottomed steering wheel wrapped in performance suede for added grip, while contrasting bright Indigo Blue stitching adds detail across the instrument and door panels. The seats, gear shift boot, center console trim, and lid also feature the stitching.
The Mustang Dark Horse Appearance Package is available for customers who want an even more sporty look. It includes specially bolstered Recaro performance seats featuring exclusive Deep Indigo Blue bolsters trimmed with Bright Indigo Blue accent stitching, plus black Dinamica suede in the seat’s center for improved lateral grip. Deep Indigo Blue seatbelts and distinctive seat perforations with blue accents beneath the seating surface round out the theme. The design team also replaced the bezels and vents with a Black Alley finish which helps distinguish the package from other Mustang trim levels.
Ford has also enhanced the Mustang Dark Horse’s aesthetic with interior textures that feature tech-inspired “white noise” and carbon fiber-inspired grains. As a final touch, each Mustang Dark Horse will feature an instrument panel badge that includes the vehicle’s chassis number.
Dark Horse, Blue Horse
On the outside, the Mustang design team gave the Dark Horse a signature paint color. A Blue Ember metallic paint features unique effect pigments of deep blues infused with a warm amber hue to give the exterior paint a dramatic color shift in different lights and angles. To develop Blue Ember, the Ford Color Mastering team (yes, that exists) intermixed complementary colors opposite each other on the color wheel. Special effect pigments were used in high volume than other paints to enhance the color by reflecting light to create a striking amber highlight that looks different throughout the day.
Underscoring the shadowy muscle car physique of the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse is available vinyl and hand-painted graphics that create a cohesive visual language through the vehicle and artfully accentuate its performance. The vinyl graphics complement the hood’s raised center, and the low gloss Tarnished Dark and gloss black finish matches Dark Horse-specific parts on the vehicle. If equipped with the Appearance Package, a specialized hood vinyl graphic builds on the base graphic but visually ties into the black-painted roof. In addition, a third vinyl accent color of low gloss black gives the Dark Horse an even more threatening appearance.
Inspired by airflow over the vehicle, the premium-painted stripes carry the gloss black finish from the center of the grille through the hood extractor, over the roof, and to the rear spoiler. Tarnished Dark elements from the center black stripe, adding to the visual aggression of the pony car. The graphics are painted by hand, in a specialized process, different from any other 2024 Ford Mustang trim level, and something that many will surely pay a premium for.
The first-ever Ford Mustang Dark Horse will go on sale in the U.S. starting in the summer of 2023.
