Nearly 800 horsepower and a folding roof make Ford’s latest Mustang a very different kind of Dark Horse.
The new Dark Horse SC Convertible uses the same supercharged 5.2-litre V8 as the coupé, producing 795hp and 660lb-ft of torque. Ford says power goes through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, with no manual option on the menu.
Despite sharing that engine, the convertible has been given a different personality. Its next-generation MagneRide suspension has been retuned for street driving, with Ford describing it as more of an open-top grand tourer than a car built around chasing lap times.
That shift in focus means some of the coupé’s more extreme hardware does not carry over. Ford has also made changes to the aerodynamics and seating, putting more emphasis on comfort and open-road driving than outright track performance.
There are a few visual changes too, including a new Precision Purple Metallic paint option and different brake-caliper colours. Buyers can also choose between Black Onyx and Space Gray interiors, giving the convertible a slightly different character from its harder-edged sibling.
Beyond that, Ford calls it the most powerful open-air Mustang it has ever built and its first new high-performance Mustang convertible since 2013. That combination inevitably brings to mind one of the most desirable drop-top Mustangs from the past.
As Gear Patrol notes, the 1968 Shelby GT500KR Convertible was produced in much smaller numbers, with around 517 examples built. Each packed Ford’s famous 428 Cobra Jet V8 beneath the hood, earning the “King of the Road” a lasting place in Mustang history.
The Dark Horse SC does not wear Shelby badges, so this is more of a spiritual connection than a direct tribute. Still, putting 795hp into a high-performance Mustang convertible makes the comparison an easy one to understand.
Ford has yet to reveal pricing, but orders are due to open in autumn 2026. The first cars are expected to reach dealerships in spring 2027.