2026 Ford Mustang Dark Horse SC First Drive: ’Stang of Wrath
Ten-second quarter miles, an expected sub-3-second 0–60 time, and big-time handling make this Mustang a smokin’-good package.
I’ve forgotten to close my driver’s side window, and I’m paying the price in the form of gagging on a visibly impenetrable atmosphere composed of Michelin Pilot Cup R rubber smoke. You wouldn’t typically have an open window while running a car properly on a prepped dragstrip like the one here at Northern California’s Sonoma Raceway, but it’s my first attempt and I’d been receiving instructions from an engineer on how to activate the tire-warming line-lock mode in the 2026 Ford Mustang Dark Horse SC.
Thankfully, you’ll only make that mistake once because you likely won’t need further guidance; the process is quick and easy, performed by a couple button presses once you enter the Drag mode via the car’s Track app menu. With it engaged, stand on the brake and throttle pedals, and the tires (305/30 front, 315/30 rear; wheels measure 20x11.5 inches) spin to your content for up to 15 seconds before you let off and roll forward to stage for the quarter-mile run.
At that point, the process is even simpler, as the launch-control software works identically: Pin both pedals (there’s no clutch to manage, as all Dark Horse SCs feature a seven-speed Tremec dual-clutch automatic gearbox), wait for the track’s lights to go out, and goodbye. Right out of the gate, I’ve driven the car to a 10.86-second elapsed time, and I’m not an experienced drag racer whatsoever …
https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/first-drive-2026-ford-mustang-dark-horse-sc
