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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsThe 2026 Ford Mustang Dark Horse SC and Mustang GTD are current supercharged Mustangs; the GT500 in this comparison is the historical 2022 Shelby GT500. Ford lists 795 hp for the Dark Horse SC and 815 hp for the GTD, but those figures—and the GTD’s Ford-stated 202 mph top speed—do not amount to a same-condition test or prove which car is quickest overall. The model years matter, and the available evidence does not support filling in a GT500 specification or ranking all three by performance.
Dark Horse SC vs. GTD vs. GT500: the essential comparison
This is a comparison across model years, not a list of three 2026 trims. Ford’s current pages cover the 2026 Dark Horse SC and the GTD; the official GT500 technical source here is for the 2022 Shelby GT500. “GT500” alone does not identify a model year, so its specifications should not be treated as timeless or current.
| Model | Engine and induction | Ford-published power and torque | Transmission | Performance evidence in the cited Ford material |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Mustang Dark Horse SC | 5.2L cross-plane-crank V8, supercharged | 795 hp; 660 lb-ft | Seven-speed TREMEC dual-clutch | Specifications; the cited material does not give a comparable acceleration or lap-time result. Ford 2026 Mustang compare-models page |
| Mustang GTD, current Ford performance page | 5.2L V8, supercharged | 815 hp at 7,400 rpm; 664 lb-ft at 4,800 rpm | Not stated on the cited performance page | Ford states a 202 mph top speed; this is a manufacturer figure, not a comparison test. Ford Mustang GTD performance page |
| 2022 Shelby GT500 | Not stated here | Not stated here | Not stated here | The official Ford technical document identifies the 2022 model and includes GT500 among its categories, but the cited facts do not establish the values needed for this comparison. Ford 2022 Mustang technical specifications |
The Dark Horse SC is a distinct model from the naturally aspirated 2026 Dark Horse. Ford rates the standard Dark Horse’s modified 5.0L V8 at 500 hp and 418 lb-ft; those figures are not the SC’s output. Ford 2026 Mustang compare-models page
What the Dark Horse SC brings
Ford specifies a supercharged 5.2L cross-plane-crank V8 rated at 795 hp and 660 lb-ft, paired with a seven-speed TREMEC dual-clutch transmission. Ford also identifies a lightweight carbon-fiber driveshaft. These are manufacturer specifications, not independently measured results.
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The available Track Pack adds a set of track-focused components rather than describing standard equipment on every Dark Horse SC. Ford lists package-specific MagneRide calibration, 20-inch carbon-fiber wheels, Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes, and a ducktail with a carbon-fiber rear wing. Ford’s stated 620 lb of downforce at 180 mph applies to this Track Pack configuration. Ford 2026 Dark Horse SC page
What the GTD’s higher output does—and does not—tell you
Ford’s current GTD performance page specifies 815 hp at 7,400 rpm and 664 lb-ft at 4,800 rpm from a supercharged 5.2L V8. It also states a top speed of 202 mph. Those figures are higher than the Dark Horse SC’s published horsepower and torque, but peak output alone does not establish acceleration, lap-time, braking, or overall track superiority. The cited GTD page’s top-speed claim is not a matched test against either rival. Ford Mustang GTD performance page
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Why the 2022 GT500 needs its year attached
The GT500 name refers to more than one Mustang generation and model year. The Ford source identified for this comparison is specifically the 2022 Mustang technical specifications document. It supports identifying the historical model being discussed, but the available figures here do not establish its engine, output, transmission, or directly comparable performance results. It would be misleading to fill those cells from an unspecified GT500 generation or present the 2022 car as a current 2026 model. Ford 2022 Mustang technical specifications
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to read the performance comparison
- For published output: the GTD leads the Dark Horse SC on Ford’s stated peak horsepower and torque figures.
- For a track-focused equipment comparison: the Dark Horse SC Track Pack has specifically identified hardware and a package-specific downforce claim; those should not be assumed on a base SC.
- For a three-car winner: the cited material does not provide a same-condition test, common acceleration figures, or comparable lap times across all three cars. A definitive ranking would require evidence beyond these manufacturer specifications.
Ford says the Dark Horse SC was developed with Ford Racing motorsports and road-car teams and tested alongside the GTD and Mustang GT3. Mark Rushbrook, Ford Racing’s Global Director, described that work this way: “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’s Dark Horse SC editorial. That is Ford’s account of the development process, not independent evidence that the cars deliver equivalent track performance.
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