2024 Ford Mustang GT, Dark Horse Raise the Bar for Pony Car Performance

The 2024 Ford Mustang GT, Dark Horse, and even EcoBoost variants all offer more in the way of power than ever before.

The all-new, S650 generation 2024 Ford Mustang was revealed just a few weeks ago, but as is usually the case, The Blue Oval didn’t reveal the new pony car’s power figures at the time. Now that the validation process has been completed, those numbers have finally been released, and they’re undoubtedly impressive. In fact, the 2024 Ford Mustang GT, EcoBoost, and Dark Horse all set new high marks for the brand in terms of horsepower, making each of them a compelling offering in a world with fewer and fewer ICE performance cars to choose from.

First up, the Mustang EcoBoost has received a bit of a bump from 310 to 315 horsepower, while torque remains the same at 350. A minor upgrade given the fact that the turbocharged 2.3-liter I-4 has been treated to a host of changes, but the former number is the most this particular combination has offered, so there’s that.

Perhaps more notable is the output of the 2024 Ford Mustang GT – 480 horsepower (the same as the outgoing Mach 1) or 486 ponies when equipped with the optional active exhaust, along with 415 or 418 pound-feet of torque, respectively, thanks to some upgrades including a dual intake and dual throttle body induction system, various structural improvements, and an upgraded oil pan. The result is a notable bump from the current model’s 450 horsepower and 410 pound-feet, though it’s worth noting that pre-2022 models offered up 460 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque.

Finally, we have the current king of the S650 lineup – the Dark Horse – which has received a few upgrades to boost output to an even 500 horsepower and the same 418 pound-feet of torque as the active exhaust-equipped GT – making it the most powerful non-Shelby Mustang ever. The Dark Horse’s version of the 5.0-liter Coyote V8 utilizes a uniquely balanced crankshaft, forged piston connecting rods, and strengthened camshafts to make that happen.

The all-new, next-generation 2024 Ford Mustang will continue to be built at the Flat Rock Assembly Plant in Michigan, and is set to hit the streets in the summer of 2023, at which point we’ll finally get to experience the many improvements FoMoCo has made to its iconic pony car.

Photos: Ford

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Brett Foote

Brett Foote has been covering the automotive industry for over five years and is a longtime contributor to Internet Brands’ Auto Group sites, including Chevrolet Forum, Rennlist, and Ford Truck Enthusiasts, among other popular sites.

He has been an automotive enthusiast since the day he came into this world and rode home from the hospital in a first-gen Mustang, and he's been wrenching on them nearly as long.

In addition to his expertise writing about cars, trucks, motorcycles, and every other type of automobile, Brett had spent several years running parts for local auto dealerships.

You can follow along with his builds and various automotive shenanigans on Instagram: @bfoote.