It was two years ago that we were in Detroit for the reveal of the new Ford Mustang, and finally it’s here. The first few NZ buyers of the S650 Mustang have recently taken delivery of their new ponies, while most of the initial allocation of MY2024 cars for NZ (around 200) has been accounted for. We drove both the new GT and Dark Horse at a recent media launch in Australia.
No more GT manual
The Mustang line up for NZ is now GT-only, the four-cylinder model no longer offered due to previous demand (or lack thereof). There are no options for NZ-spec GTs either; no Magneride, no manual, no Recaros, no stripe packages even. Just the choice of a hard or soft top. It all comes down to minimising complexity for what is a small market.
The GT is now $92,990 or $99,990 for the Convertible. Those thinking about ordering one are now looking at the MY2025 range, which is essentially the same except Ford has deleted the wireless charger from the spec. Order one now, you’ll likely get it Q1 next year.
Read our review of the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach 1
What about the Dark Horse?
Those that were quick were able to snaffle themselves a Dark Horse, the $116,990 range topper with a little bit more of everything; a unique look, more power and better handling. Ford NZ had 150 up for grabs, and all are now sold. There were 40 manuals in that mix, which were the first to go.
What’s new then?
The new Mustang isn’t all new, the mechanical bits carrying over from the previous S550, though things have been massaged. While the body is new the underneath has been tweaked. The steering ratio has been changed to give a more precise feel while the suspension has been enhanced for both dynamics and ride quality. There are improved brakes with Brembo calipers at each corner, a new oil cooler and items like Gen 3 Magneride (just not on NZ-spec GTs).
New behind the wheel
The digital content has increased with a new 12-inch instrument cluster and a 13-inch touchscreen. These bring more configuration options, new animated graphics and novel lighting effects while the latest Sync system has wireless CarPlay and Android Auto.
The finishing has improved with additional soft spots around the cabin. While the touchscreen controls most functions, there are a few buttons too. The best ones are the toggling drive mode switches on the steering wheel, making it much easier to shuffle between the settings.
Tracking well
We made our way to the Bend motorsport park, where the Dark Horse awaited us. This Mustang range topper gets a few tricks to help it lap faster. Briefly, these include unique springs, roll bar settings and toe links matched to Dark Horse-spec Magneride dampers. The engine gains a few more horses to total 373kW, torque registering the same 567Nm. The manual is a six-speeder but it uses a Tremec supplied unit in place of the GT’s Getrag. There’s a shorter final drive of 3.73:1 and it gets a Torsen diff.
Into to it proper
We headed out first in the GT to prove how capable the Ford Mustang package is. It’s plenty quick enough for us, and sounds great too with the multi-mode exhaust in the roaring Track mode. It’s good to row through the ratios, stretching the free-spinning Coyote towards its 7500rpm limit. With a big V8 over the front axle, the GT doesn’t dart into the bends and there’s some patience needed to prevent it pushing wide.
Into the Dark Horse, and it proves that bit better in every facet. Opening it up out of the pits, it’s clear that it’s louder in all the right ways. It really sings. Its turn in is sharper, its nose keener to duck into the bend. With the shorter final drive, it punches harder off the bends too. The GT’s Getrag six-speeder is a decent shifter, no muscle required to the slot gears, but the Tremec box is better still. It has a sweeter, more positive shift.
The brakes are solid performers in both cars; the Ford Mustang is no lightweight but it hauls up well, the pedal feel is solid. There’s some squirming from the GT under harder applications, whereas the Dark Horse is more controlled. As it is everywhere, it’s just that bit more set and ready for action.
Some helpful guidance from the hot shoes in the passenger seat got the best of the experience. A little encouragement to get on the gas earlier has the car ‘rotating’ better as they say, and it’s surprising how well it sticks the power when going to the floor hard and early. The Dark Horse is a top package, and according to our co-pilot, we managed to lap around four seconds quicker in the DH compared with the GT.
Read the full launch review in the October issue of NZ Autocar magazine, on sale October 3
The stats
Mustang Dark Horse
$116,990
5038cc V8 373kW@7250rpm, 567Nm@4900rpm
6-speed manual, RWD
13.8L/100km 325g/km
4.2sec 0-100
1790kg
