By July 2023, we find ourselves without the new Ford GT500, the brand's top production Mustang. This is because Ford anticipates much weaker sales for the pony car this year, due to the sixth generation's end, and the upcoming 2024 S650. Within this seventh generation 'stang, we find the top dog Dark Horse, brought to life by a 5.0 liter V-8 that will be the most powerful Coyote engine ever. We're talking about a car with a MagneRide suspension, that puts out 500 horsepower, and 418 pound-feet of torque.
The car will come alive at a pivotal time in this new-era muscle car race, as Chevrolet's Camaro ends production in January, and the Dodge Challenger will see its demise as well. Even the Dodge Charger will convert back to a coupe, and go full-on electric. Amazingly, considering this news, the 2024 Mustang will even still be offered with a manual transmission.
Fittingly then, as the original muscle car, the Ford Mustang gets the last laugh. However, don't crown the Dark Horse King just yet, as the current-gen GT500 is still around, as is its predecessor. Learn why both Shelby American cars are still more than relevant today.
The 2022 Ford GT500 Mustang: A Bite Full Of Venom
Starting MSRP: $80,795
If you want the mightiest Mustang to date, the current GT500 is without a doubt it. The cost for such might could be a reason to seek other options. Still, the look of the car, with the iconic cobra emblem is unmistakably aggressive. It's also convincingly Ford. If this alone isn't enough, consider all the raw power that the "Predator" engine provides.
2022 Ford Mustang GT500 Specs
Engine | 5.2 Liter Supercharged V-8 |
Horsepower | 760 at 7,300 RPM |
Torque | 625 pound-feet at 5,000 RPM |
Transmission | Seven-speed dual clutch automatic |
Curb Weight | 4,171 pounds |
Fuel Economy | 12 city, 18 hwy, 14 combined, premium gasoline |
It might not be the lightest car, but it has one helluva heart, the same one that got dropped into the Ford
F-150 Raptor R variant. The difference here is that the engine isn't de-tuned for the truck, where horsepower is dropped and torque is increased. Nope, one gets the full fury of this mill, as it was originally intended. Performance numbers for this beast are top-notch.
- 0-60 mph in 3.4 seconds
- 100 mph in 6.9 seconds
- 170 mph in 21.7 seconds
- 1/4 mile in 11.3 seconds at 132 mph
- Top speed 180 mph (per Ford)
As expensive as the car already is, there are several options that up the ante quite a bit. Vinyl stripes can be added for $2,140, or hand-painted for $10,000. The Carbon Fiber Track Pack adds carbon fiber wheels, aerodynamic pieces, and different rubber, for $18,500.
Lastly, a limited number of GT500KR (King of the Road) editions with 900 horses under the hood were made available, starting at $127,895. One can see that the current GT500 is very impressive, but the cost reflects that too, and prospective buyers may consider something like the Chevrolet Corvette C8 for the money instead. If brand loyalty plays a role at all, as it often does, one might not have to look very far.
The 2014 Ford Mustang GT500: Classic Genes
Starting MSRP: $60,110
The latest GT500 runs from 2020-2022, three model years, but the previous rendition ran for eight model years. Although the GT500 lived in the fifth-gen from 2007-2014, the one you would want would be either the 2013 or 2014 model. There's one simple reason for this, but it's one big reason, and it rests at the heart of the matter.
2014 Ford Mustang GT500 Specs
Engine | 5.8 Liter Supercharged V-8 |
Horsepower | 662 at 6,250 RPM |
Torque | 631 pound-feet at 4,000 RPM |
Transmission | Six-speed manual |
Curb Weight | 3,845-3,982 pounds |
Fuel Economy | 15 city, 24 hwy, 18 combined, premium gasoline |
In response to the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, Ford had to up the power output of their rival offering, and so this increased from its own 2012 model. The 2012 GT500 only put out 550 horses, along with 510 pound-feet of torque. Of course, this is nothing to sneer at, but it was now less than both figures in the game-changing ZL1 from Chevy. Therefore, the 2013 and 2014 GT500 models carried higher output engines, which led to great performance.
- 0-60 mph in 4.1 seconds
- 1/4 mile in 12.1 seconds
- Top speed of 200 mph
Notice that for the price, the 2014 GT500 isn't much slower to zero-to-sixty, nor in the quarter-mile than the new version. Also note, that the previous generation actually is faster, with a higher top speed. In fact, the 2013 GT500 was hailed as the first production 200 mph Mustang. A clean low-mile example today might cost as much as it did new, but it is still cheaper than a current-gen GT500, in some cases by a significant number.
Plus, this generation still looks good, having existed during the rebirth of the Camaro and Charger. The theme then that "the big three" went with was retro, designs that simply won't ever go out of style. Add the fact that this car only comes in a manual, as many enthusiasts would rightly only have, and there's plenty of reason to still want to drive this car.
2024 Ford Mustang GT Dark Horse: Still Lacking Horses
Starting MSRP: 59,270
As important as this car is, cars that are more than a decade old have all that the Dark Horse has, and then some. Consider that the 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 debuted with 580 horsepower, 556 pound-feet of torque, and magnetic ride suspension, as well as came standard with a six-speed short-throw Tremec manual. It might be heavier, but it's also supercharged, and it's cheaper. Even brand new, a fifth-gen ZL1 had a starting MSRP of $54,995, compared to the Dark Horse at $59,270.
Look to the past and find a great car, one that makes a case for itself over newer models. This is the 2013 and 2014 GT500. Heck, even the canceled GT350 and GT350R are more exciting cars. Of course, the latest GT500 too, is killer in looks and performance, although lacking that manual gearbox.
2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse Specs
Engine | 5.0 Liter Coyote V-8 |
Horsepower | 500 Horsepower |
Torque | 418 Pound-feet |
Transmission | Six-speed manual/10-speed automatic |
Curb Weight | 3,949-3,993 pounds |
Fuel Economy | 14 city, 22 hwy, 17 combined, premium gasoline |
The 2024 Dark Horse is significant because it will be the last muscle car standing, still with a fire-breathing V-8 under the hood, and a manual transmission to boot. Also, it is an all-new design for the Mustang, but once that newness wears off so will the excitement. Consider also, that if and when we receive another GT500 or GT350, the Dark Horse will be left in the rearview mirror.
It doesn't even matter if it's faster, lighter, or newer with more technology. Give me that latest GT350, that retro-looking older GT500, or even that fifth-gen ZL1. All of these options feel as if they will hold their value more, stand out more, and perform just as well in the long term. These cars may do all this while costing just as much if not less. If cost isn't a factor, then take that latest GT500 and call it a day.