Hennessey Unleashes Leaner, Meaner Ford Mustang Dark Horse
July 20, 2023Hennessey Performance has made bigger, badder versions of just about every American performance car under the sun, so it was only a matter of time until they set to work on the new Ford Mustang Dark Horse.
That said, it’s still mighty impressive that they’ve already been able to work their magic. The end result of all their performance summoning is called the H850, so named because it makes 850 horsepower (and 650 lb-ft of torque, as we’re sure you were wondering). That’s a huge increase over the standard Mustang Dark Horse’s 500 horsepower; in fact, it’s a power increase of 70 percent. To offer up another point of comparison, the current Mustang Shelby GT500 is able to conjure 760 horsepower and 625 lb-ft of torque from its supercharged 5.2-liter V8.
The H850’s titular horsepower rating is the result of a high-flow air induction system, upgraded fuel injectors, and an upgraded fuel pump. Oh yeah, and also slapping a big ol’ supercharger on the Mustang’s 5.0-liter V8. While on the subject the venerable ‘five-oh’ ‘Coyote’ is entering its fourth generation for the 2024 model year, packing some impressive upgrades over the previous-gen power plant straight from Ford. Even before Hennessey could get their hands on it, the new 5.0-liter comes with dual throttle bodies and air intakes; the Dark Horse 5.0 receives connecting rods from the current GT500, too. A six-speed manual (the Tremec used in the most recent GT350 and Mach 1) or Ford’s 10-speed automatic can be mated to the Dark Horse’s adrenaline pumping heart. Pulling back the reins, in this case, means clasping multi-piston Brembo brake calipers around the rotors.
To set the H850 apart from the standard Mustang Dark Horse, Hennessey has added a carbon fiber front splitter, side skirts, and rear spoiler, as well as forged aluminum wheels, to the H850. As an option, you can also get “Heritage Graphics”, which basically consists of racing stripes and a number on the side. The look is completed by Hennessy badges on the front quarter panels and rear of the car.
The H850 is supported by Hennessey’s 3 year, 36,000 mile warranty, and will go on sale in the fourth quarter of 2023. Pricing has not been announced, but the standard Dark Horse starts at $60,865 with destination.