Ford Mustang Dark Horse limited-edition returns, with Australian-built T8-Spec Pack

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Ford has launched an Australia-exclusive Mustang Dark Horse T8-Spec Pack, headlining the limited edition's return to local showrooms.


Jordan Hickey
Ford Mustang Dark Horse limited-edition returns, with Australian-built T8-Spec Pack
2026 Ford Mustang Dark Horse T8-Spec Pack.

The Ford Mustang Dark Horse limited-edition has returned to Australia, headlined by a new T8-Spec Pack fitted to the V8 sports car at Ford's Broadmeadows, Victoria facility.

Returning to Australia nearly two years after the first run of Mustang Dark Horses sold out, the new 2026 model includes the exclusive T8-Spec Pack, built in collaboration with V8 Supercars team Triple Eight Race Engineering.

The Australia-only T8-Spec Pack costs approximately $26,500 more than the Mustang Dark Horse standard model – at $138,888 before on-road costs – with the modifications fitted at Ford Australia's Plant 2 facility in Broadmeadows, Victoria.

Ford's wider Broadmeadows facility was formerly home to Falcon and Territory production, as well as the previous-generation Mustang R-Spec built in collaboration with Herrod Performance.

Ford Mustang Dark Horse limited-edition returns, with Australian-built T8-Spec Pack
2026 Ford Mustang Dark Horse T8-Spec Pack.

Above the standard Dark Horse, the T8-Spec Pack adds one-inch-wider front and rear alloy wheels, Pirelli P Zero Trofeo RS tyres, a larger rear spoiler, revised suspension, and Triple Eight branding.

It is also sold with a front aerodynamic splitter, however, it is intended for track use only and is not fitted to the vehicle at the time of delivery, as it is not road-compliant.

Ford Australia said, if the customer decides to install the front splitter, "the vehicle must be returned to a compliant state before being driven on public roads".

The T8-Spec Pack, limited to 250 examples, will be sold exclusively with a six-speed manual transmission, unlike the standard Dark Horse, which can be specified with a 10-speed automatic.

Ford Mustang Dark Horse limited-edition returns, with Australian-built T8-Spec Pack
2026 Ford Mustang Dark Horse T8-Spec Pack.

It debuts the Avalanche grey colour for the Mustang in Australia, which will not be offered for the standard Dark Horse, despite being available on 2026 examples in the United States.

Ford Australia said every Dark Horse T8-Spec Pack customer will also be invited to an "exclusive" Track Experience at Queensland Raceway in the first half of 2027, giving an "opportunity to engage with the Triple Eight team and learn the full potential of this vehicle".

Triple Eight Race Engineering managing director Jamie Whincup said the racing team is "incredibly proud to be partnering with Ford".

"The Mustang Dark Horse T8-Spec is a fantastic way to celebrate our return to the track with the Blue Oval," Whincup said.

Ford Mustang Dark Horse limited-edition returns, with Australian-built T8-Spec Pack
2026 Ford Mustang Dark Horse T8-Spec Pack.

"This collaboration allows us to take our championship-winning expertise and apply it to a road-going performance icon.

"We are looking forward to meeting these 250 passionate customers at Queensland Raceway and showing them exactly what this vehicle is capable of in a track environment."

The T8-Spec Pack shares its 350kW/550Nm 5.0-litre naturally-aspirated V8 petrol engine with the standard Dark Horse, up from 345kW in the Mustang GT.

Priced from $104,990 before on-road costs, the 2026 Ford Mustang Dark Horse maintains the same differences above the GT model as it did when it sold out in Australia in 2024.

Ford Mustang Dark Horse limited-edition returns, with Australian-built T8-Spec Pack
Ford Mustang Dark Horse (2025 model shown).

Those differences include wider 19-inch alloy wheels, six-piston Brembo front brakes, a Torsen torque-sensing rear differential, transmission and rear axle coolers, auxiliary brake cooling ducts, MagneRide adaptive suspension with unique tuning, and stiffer front springs.

Manual transmission versions also add a 3D-printed titanium gear selector ball and a transmission oil cooler, but like the GT, delete lane-centring assist and stop-and-go tech for the adaptive cruise control.

Design changes above the GT include unique front and rear fascias, a fixed rear spoiler, Dark Horse badges, darkened LED headlights, a tweaked steering wheel, blue contrast stitching, blue seatbelts and gloss-black interior trim accents.

Shared with the 2026 Mustang GT, newly available colours for the Mustang Dark Horse in Australia include Molten Magenta, Orange Fury and Adriatic Blue.

The 2026 Ford Mustang Dark Horse will be limited "to up to 500 vehicles" in manual and automatic, while the Dark Horse T8-Spec Pack is "strictly limited" to 250 vehicles.

2026 Ford Mustang price in Australia

  • Mustang EcoBoost automatic coupe – $72,990
  • Mustang GT manual coupe – $84,990
  • Mustang GT automatic coupe – $87,990
  • Mustang GT automatic convertible – $93,666
  • Mustang Dark Horse manual coupe – $104,990 ("no more than 500" manual/auto)
  • Mustang Dark Horse automatic coupe – $104,990 ("no more than 500" manual/auto)
  • Mustang Dark Horse T8-Spec Pack manual coupe – $138,888 (limited to 250 units)

Note: All prices above exclude on-road costs.

2026 Ford Mustang Dark Horse standard features:

  • 349kW/548Nm 5.0-litre V8 with six-speed Tremec manual or 10-speed auto
  • Wider 19-inch alloy wheels (19x9.5-inch front, 19x10-inch rear)
  • Six-piston front Brembo brakes with 390mm discs
  • Torsen torque-sensing rear differential
  • 3D-printed titanium gear selector ball (manual only)
  • Transmission and rear-axle coolers (both transmissions)
  • Transmission oil cooler (manual only)
  • Auxiliary brake cooling ducts
  • MagneRide adaptive suspension with unique tuning
  • Stiffer front springs
  • Darkened LED headlights
  • Unique front and rear fascias, fixed rear spoiler, Dark Horse badges
  • Tweaked leather-wrapped steering wheel with microsuede inserts, anodised silver shift paddles (automatic only), dedicated drive mode button
  • Bright Indigo Blue contrast stitching
  • Blue seatbelts
  • Gloss black interior trim accents
  • Brembo performance brakes
  • Active-valve sports exhaust
  • LED headlights and tail-lights
  • 12.4-inch digital instrument cluster
  • 13.2-inch infotainment touchscreen
  • 12-speaker B&O audio system
  • Dual-zone climate control
  • Sports seats with black leather-accented upholstery
  • Heated and ventilated front seats
  • Heated steering wheel
  • Silver interior trim accents
  • Track apps (acceleration timer, braking measurement, lap timer, Line Lock ‘burnout’ mode
  • Electric park brake with Drift Brake
  • Auxiliary engine oil cooler
  • Autonomous emergency braking
  • Lane-keep assist
  • Lane departure warning
  • Lane centring assist
  • Adaptive cruise control with stop and go
  • Blind-spot monitoring
  • Rear cross-traffic alert
  • Speed sign recognition
  • Rear parking sensors
  • Rear-view camera
  • Tyre pressure monitoring
  • Manual transmission deletes lane-centring assist, stop-and-go tech for adaptive cruise control.

2026 Ford Mustang Dark Horse T8-Spec Pack adds (over Dark Horse):

  • Exclusive Avalanche grey exterior colour
  • 19x10.5-inch front and 19x11-inch rear alloy wheels
  • Pirelli P Zero Trofeo RS tyres (305/30R19 front, 315/30R19 rear)
  • Larger rear spoiler with Grabber Blue-accented gurney flap
  • Front aero spoiler (supplied unfitted, for track use only)
  • Revised MagneRise suspension tune
  • Stiffer springs, roll bars
  • Adjustable top mounts
  • Black rear applique with Grabber Blue Triple Eight branding
  • Unique bonnet decals
  • Triple Eight-branded scuff plates
  • Unique gear shift knob
  • Sequentially-numbered build plate
  • Black roof (factory-fitted, from Dark Horse Appearance Pack)
  • Blue-painted Brembo brake calipers (factory-fitted, from Dark Horse Appearance Pack)
  • Recaro sports seats with blue accents (factory-fitted)
  • "Exclusive" Track Experience at Queensland Raceway in 2027

The optional $3575 Dark Horse Appearance Pack (standard model) adds:

  • Blue-painted Brembo brake calipers
  • Black roof
  • Deep Indigo Blue perforated seats
  • Only available with $975 Shadow Black, Vapour Blue or Blue Ember paint (Blue Ember only available with Dark Horse Appearance Pack)

The option $3835 Recaro Sports Seats, available on the Mustang Dark Horse (standard model), add:

  • Recaro sports seats
  • Six-way power adjustment
  • Manual backrest adjustment
  • Heated and ventilated front seats deleted

2026 Ford Mustang Dark Horse (standard model) available colours:

  • Oxford White – no cost
  • Race Red – no cost
  • Shadow Black – $975 extra
  • Blue Ember – $975 extra, with Dark Horse Appearance Pack only
  • Carbonized Grey – $975 extra
  • Vapour Blue – $975 extra
  • Molten Magenta (new to Dark Horse) – $975 extra
  • Orange Fury (new to Dark Horse) – $975 extra
  • Adriatic Blue (new to Dark Horse) – $975 extra

Jordan Hickey

Jordan is a motoring journalist based in Melbourne with a lifelong passion for cars. He has been surrounded by classic Fords and Holdens, brand-new cars, and everything in between from birth, with his parents’ owning an automotive workshop in regional Victoria. Jordan started writing about cars in 2021, and joined the Drive team in 2024.

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