The 2026 Ford Mustang Dark Horse SC has the higher published horsepower figure: Ford rates it at up to 795 hp, compared with Ford’s 760-hp description of the 2022 Mustang Shelby GT500. The SC also pairs its supercharged 5.2-liter V8 with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and offers an extensive Track Pack. But the figures are manufacturer claims, not results from a controlled comparison, and Ford’s own SC price pages currently disagree. That means the SC leads on listed power and newer track hardware; the available evidence does not establish which car is faster in a head-to-head race or on a circuit.
Which Shelby GT500 is this comparison about?
“Shelby GT500” refers to several Mustang generations. This comparison uses the 2022 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500, the model year identified in Ford’s technical specifications and the launch material that gives its 760-hp figure. The other car is the 2026 Ford Mustang Dark Horse SC, Ford’s newer supercharged model. Naming both years matters: this is not a comparison with every GT500 generation, nor does the older car’s specification describe a current new-car offering.
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The comparison is strongest on manufacturer-published power and hardware. It is not a substitute for a same-condition independent test, and the two vehicles’ figures should not be treated as if they were measured in one test. The SC is the current vehicle in this comparison; the GT500 is the historical model-year counterpart. That difference affects what a buyer can do next: confirm a live configuration and quote for the SC, while researching an individual used GT500 and its condition.
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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchFord’s sources support a useful comparison of headline output and selected equipment, but not a full specification-by-specification verdict. Where this article says that a detail is not established, that means it was not provided in the cited source set—not that the car necessarily lacks the feature. This distinction is especially important for the GT500’s torque, transmission, and track equipment.
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At a glance: Dark Horse SC vs. 2022 Shelby GT500
| Specification | 2026 Mustang Dark Horse SC | 2022 Mustang Shelby GT500 |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer-published horsepower | Up to 795 hp, according to Ford’s 2026 model information. Ford model information | 760 hp, as described in Ford’s 2022 launch material. Ford launch material |
| Manufacturer-published torque | 660 lb-ft, according to Ford’s 2026 model information. Ford model information | Not stated in the cited Ford launch material used for this comparison. |
| Engine | Supercharged 5.2-liter cross-plane-crank V8. Ford model information | Not stated in the cited 2022 Ford sources used for this comparison. |
| Transmission | Seven-speed TREMEC dual-clutch transmission (DCT). Ford model information | Not stated in the cited Ford sources used for this comparison. |
| Track-focused equipment | Available Track Pack includes package-specific MagneRide calibration, 20-inch carbon-fiber wheels and Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes; Ford also identifies Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires and rear-seat deletion. Ford model information Ford announcement | No comparable package details are established by the cited sources used here. |
| Price context | Ford’s 2026 US pages show conflicting starting MSRPs: $106,090 on its trim listing and $106,585 on its build-and-price listing. Ford pricing pages | Current used-market price is not established. A historical new-car MSRP would not be a current used transaction price. |
| Directly tested acceleration or lap time | No controlled direct test of these two cars is established by the cited sources. | |
The table is deliberately asymmetric where the cited sources are asymmetric. It gives the SC’s torque, engine, transmission and Track Pack details because the cited Ford material supports those facts; it does not fill in GT500 figures from memory or assume that missing details are identical. It also separates a new-car starting MSRP from the value of a used car. Those are different kinds of prices, and combining them into a single “which is cheaper?” answer would require current, comparable market evidence.
Power: the SC has the higher published rating
Ford specifies the 2026 Dark Horse SC at up to 795 hp and 660 lb-ft from a supercharged 5.2-liter V8 with a cross-plane crankshaft. Ford’s 2022 launch material describes the Shelby GT500 at 760 hp. On the published horsepower figures, the SC is 35 hp higher. That arithmetic compares Ford’s stated figures; it does not establish a measured power gap on the road or track.
The wording “up to 795 hp” is worth preserving: it is Ford’s stated figure for the SC, not a promise that an independent measurement of every car will record exactly that number. Similarly, the GT500’s 760 hp is Ford’s description in its launch material. Manufacturer ratings are a consistent way to compare what each company says about its product, but they are not a same-dyno test, and they do not account for differences in vehicle setup or test conditions.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsThe 660 lb-ft torque figure is available for the SC in the cited Ford model information, but a matching GT500 torque figure is not established in the cited sources used here. A fair torque comparison therefore cannot be made from this evidence. Likewise, the SC’s supercharged 5.2-liter engine specification should not be attributed to the GT500: a shared displacement number does not prove the cars use the same engine or setup.
For a shopper, the practical takeaway is precise rather than sweeping: Ford publishes 35 more horsepower for the SC than it published for the 2022 GT500. The sources do not establish how that difference translates into acceleration, traction, lap time, or a driver’s experience. Those outcomes cannot be calculated from horsepower alone using the facts available here.
Ford’s broader Mustang engineering history offers a limited point of context, not proof of shared SC hardware. In its 2022 Dark Horse release, Ford said that the Coyote V8’s piston connecting rods were first introduced in the 760-hp Ford Performance Shelby GT500. That statement concerns the Coyote engine in the 2022 Dark Horse, not the Dark Horse SC’s supercharged 5.2-liter V8. Ford’s 2022 Dark Horse release
In other words, Ford has described a piece of engineering lineage between the GT500 and the 2022 Dark Horse Coyote, but that detail is not evidence that the current SC shares the GT500 engine. Keep the lineage point narrow: it provides historical context about one component in a different Dark Horse model, not a basis for treating these two cars as mechanically equivalent.
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Transmission and track hardware
Dark Horse SC transmission
Ford pairs the SC’s V8 with a seven-speed TREMEC dual-clutch transmission and a carbon-fiber driveshaft. The DCT is a defining part of the SC’s powertrain specification. The cited Ford sources do not provide a matching GT500 transmission specification for this comparison, so a detailed transmission-versus-transmission assessment would go beyond what is established here.
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If the transmission is central to a buying decision, verify the exact specification in Ford’s current model information or the documentation for the particular car you are considering. The SC’s listed transmission is a dual-clutch unit; the cited sources do not provide enough GT500 transmission detail to compare shift behavior, gear ratios, or performance. Nor does the fact that the SC uses a DCT by itself settle which car is quicker.
What the SC Track Pack adds
Ford’s available Track Pack changes the SC from a powerful road car into a more explicitly track-focused configuration. Ford lists a package-specific MagneRide calibration, 20-inch carbon-fiber wheels and Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes. Its announcement also names Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires and deletion of the rear seats, and describes the package as reducing weight by approximately 150 lb. Ford model information Ford announcement
These are several distinct elements, not a single headline number. The suspension receives a package-specific calibration; the wheels are carbon fiber and measure 20 inches; Ford names carbon-ceramic brakes from Brembo; and the specified tires are Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R. The rear-seat deletion is part of the package description, while Ford’s roughly 150-pound figure describes the package’s weight reduction. Together, those details show the SC can be ordered in a configuration with a clear circuit focus.
The approximately 150-lb reduction is Ford’s stated package figure, not an independently measured result under a specified test protocol. The cited information does not establish the Track Pack’s price, so it should not be added to the car’s starting MSRP as a guessed amount. A buyer should confirm what is included, whether the package is available on the desired build, and the resulting price in the live configurator or with a Ford dealer.
These components indicate that Ford has given the SC a substantial track-oriented option. They do not, by themselves, prove a faster lap than the GT500: tires, setup, conditions, driver, and test method all affect lap times. Nor does the lack of comparable GT500 package detail in the cited material mean that the older car has no track equipment; it means this evidence does not support a like-for-like inventory.
That qualification matters when comparing “track-ready” claims. The SC’s package list is specific, but the sources do not provide a comparable GT500 equipment list, nor do they document a test using both cars in matched configurations. A reader can reasonably regard the Track Pack as an important SC option, but cannot use this evidence to declare an overall track-performance winner.
How much does the 2026 Dark Horse SC cost?
Ford’s retrieved US pricing pages conflict. Its 2026 Mustang trim listing displays a Dark Horse SC starting MSRP of $106,090, while Ford’s build-and-price result displays $106,585. Both amounts are Ford-published figures, but the discrepancy means neither should be presented as a settled, universally applicable price without checking the live configurator or a dealer quote. Ford pricing pages
These figures are in US dollars and are starting-MSRP figures, not prices paid. They do not establish the cost of the Track Pack, other options, taxes, destination charges, dealer adjustments, or a specific vehicle’s final out-the-door price. Availability and pricing can also change; confirm the current US-market configuration and quote at the time of purchase.
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The difference between the two displayed figures is $495. That is a discrepancy between Ford pages, not evidence that one configuration is automatically $495 more expensive or that the Track Pack accounts for the gap. The source set does not resolve why the two Ford results differ. Rather than selecting one number without qualification, a careful comparison should state both, identify where each appeared, and use the live configurator or dealer quote to establish the actual figure for a buyer’s chosen build.
For a useful quote, make sure the comparison is for the same model year and configuration, then distinguish the vehicle’s starting MSRP from any selected options and the final amount due. Confirm the current price and availability directly: the figures above are what Ford’s retrieved pages displayed, not a guarantee that a dealer has a car in stock or will sell it for that amount. No exact Track Pack price is established by the cited sources, so including a package estimate would be speculation.
What about the GT500’s price?
No current used-market price for a 2022 Shelby GT500 is established here. The GT500 is the older comparison car, and a historical new-car MSRP would not answer what one costs today. Used prices depend on factors such as condition, mileage, specification, location, and seller; a numeric current-price comparison needs dated listings or transaction data on a consistent basis. Do not compare the SC’s current starting MSRP with an undated GT500 figure as though both were equivalent market prices.
For someone shopping used, the next step is to compare actual 2022 GT500 listings or transaction data available at the time of purchase, with the date and market stated. Assess the individual car’s condition, mileage, specification, service history, and location alongside its asking price. The cited sources do not establish a going rate or a range, so they cannot say whether the GT500 is currently the less expensive choice.
The comparison is therefore not “new SC versus GT500 at $X.” It is a new-car starting MSRP, currently shown inconsistently by Ford, versus a used-car market price that needs fresh evidence. Until both are grounded in dated, comparable prices, buyers should treat cost as an open question rather than infer a bargain from a historic number.
Which one is faster?
The available figures do not establish which car is faster from a standing start, through a particular acceleration interval, or around a circuit. Ford’s 795-hp SC rating and 760-hp GT500 description are manufacturer-published outputs, not a controlled head-to-head performance test. No comparable acceleration times or lap times for both cars under the same conditions are established in the cited sources.
It is reasonable to say the Dark Horse SC has the higher published horsepower figure and that its available Track Pack includes serious circuit-focused hardware. It is not justified to turn those facts into a definitive claim that it beats the GT500 in a drag race or sets a quicker lap. Such a conclusion would require comparable test results that specify the cars’ configurations, tires, conditions, and measurement method.
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Ford’s SC development story and the hardware list may help explain the company’s goals, but neither substitutes for such a test. A buyer whose priority is lap time should look for a direct, well-documented comparison rather than assume that newer equipment or a higher published horsepower number guarantees the result.
Ford’s development claims—and what they do and don’t show
Ford says it developed and tested the Dark Horse SC alongside the Mustang GTD and Mustang GT3 race car. In its April 20, 2026 announcement, Mark Rushbrook, Ford Racing’s global director, said: “Developing the Mustang Dark Horse SC alongside the Mustang GTD and our Mustang GT3 race car allowed us to create a direct pipeline of innovation.” Ford announcement
Rushbrook also described Ford’s aim as bringing “the exact tech transfer and lessons learned from our most grueling endurance races directly to our road cars,” so customers could get “a true taste of what our race teams experience on the track.” Those are Ford’s statements about development intent and technology transfer. They help explain how Ford positions the SC and its track hardware, but they are not independent measurements of its results.
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That is useful context for Ford’s engineering intent, particularly for a model with an available track package. It is a manufacturer development claim, not proof that the SC is superior to the GT500 in a direct test. Development alongside race cars does not replace independently measured comparisons between the two road cars.
For this comparison, the careful reading is that Ford says the SC benefited from development alongside its GTD and GT3 programs. The claim does not specify a direct SC-versus-GT500 test, and it does not establish that every piece of race-car technology transfers unchanged to the road car. It should be presented as context for the program, not as evidence of a measured performance result.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which Mustang makes more sense for you?
Choose the Dark Horse SC if you want the newer, currently listed model
- You want the higher of the two cited manufacturer horsepower figures and a published 660 lb-ft torque rating.
- You value the SC’s seven-speed DCT and carbon-fiber driveshaft.
- You want the option of Ford’s Track Pack hardware, including carbon-ceramic brakes, carbon-fiber wheels and Cup 2 R tires.
- You are shopping for a new 2026 model and can confirm a current configuration and price with Ford or a dealer.
Before buying, verify the precise model-year build and the live starting MSRP, because Ford’s retrieved pages display two different figures. If the Track Pack is part of your plan, ask for its availability and exact price rather than assuming it is included in the starting figure. A dealer quote also helps separate the listed MSRP from options and the final purchase price.
Consider the 2022 Shelby GT500 if you are shopping the used market
- You specifically want the 2022 GT500 generation and are comfortable evaluating an older, used vehicle.
- You will base the decision on the condition, mileage, specification, service history and asking price of an individual car rather than assume a current market value from a past MSRP.
- You want comparative performance evidence before deciding whether it is quicker for your intended use; the cited figures alone do not settle that question.
For a used GT500, compare dated listings or transaction information and examine the actual car. This article does not establish a current market value, so the right price depends on evidence gathered when and where you shop. Confirm the model year as well: a GT500 badge alone does not identify the generation used for this comparison.
The most defensible summary is narrow but useful: the 2026 Dark Horse SC has a 35-hp higher published rating than Ford’s 2022 GT500 figure and offers a modern track package, but the evidence here does not establish a winner in tested performance or a current price advantage over the used GT500 market.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the horsepower and torque for the 2026 Ford Mustang Dark Horse SC?
Ford specifies the 2026 Dark Horse SC at up to 795 hp and 660 lb-ft from a supercharged 5.2-liter cross-plane-crank V8. Those are Ford-published figures, not independent measurements. Ford model information
What transmission does the 2026 Ford Mustang Dark Horse SC have?
Ford pairs the SC’s V8 with a seven-speed TREMEC dual-clutch transmission and a carbon-fiber driveshaft. The cited sources do not provide a matching transmission specification for the 2022 GT500. Ford model information
How does the Dark Horse SC compare with the Shelby GT500?
For this comparison, the GT500 is the 2022 model. Ford publishes up to 795 hp for the 2026 Dark Horse SC and describes the 2022 GT500 at 760 hp, a 35-hp difference in the stated ratings. The SC also has a seven-speed DCT and an available Track Pack. There is no controlled direct test in the cited sources, so those facts do not prove which car is quicker.
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The available evidence does not establish that. Ford’s horsepower figures are manufacturer claims, and the cited sources provide no same-condition acceleration or lap-time test of both cars.
How much does the 2026 Mustang Dark Horse SC cost?
Ford’s retrieved US trim listing shows a $106,090 starting MSRP, while its build-and-price result shows $106,585. Because the pages conflict, check Ford’s live configurator or a dealer quote for the current build and price. These are starting MSRPs, not final prices paid. Ford pricing pages
What does the Dark Horse SC Track Pack include?
Ford identifies a package-specific MagneRide calibration, 20-inch carbon-fiber wheels and Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes. Its announcement also names Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires, rear-seat deletion and an approximately 150-lb weight reduction. The cited sources do not establish the package price. Ford model information Ford announcement
What is the current used price of a 2022 Shelby GT500?
A current used-market price was not established in the cited sources. Check dated listings or transaction data and assess the individual car’s condition, mileage, specification, location and seller; a past new-car MSRP is not its current used value.
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The Bottom Line
Bottom line: Ford’s published figures give the 2026 Mustang Dark Horse SC a 35-hp lead over the 2022 Shelby GT500, and its available Track Pack adds substantial circuit-focused equipment. Ford’s two retrieved SC starting-price pages disagree—$106,090 versus $106,585—and no current GT500 used price or controlled head-to-head performance result is established. Confirm the SC’s live price and options, research dated used GT500 listings, and don’t treat the power ratings as proof of which car is faster.
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