Hennessey H850 Mustang Dark Horse Two Years On: Ford Built Its Own 795-HP Answer
In 2024 Hennessey's supercharged Dark Horse made 850 hp and ran 10.9-second quarter miles. In 2026 Ford launched a factory-supercharged Dark Horse SC with 795 hp.
Contents · 4 parts
In May 2024 Hennessey published test data for its H850 Mustang Dark Horse, a supercharged conversion of Ford's track-focused Mustang. At the time it was the most direct route to a Mustang with supercar power. In 2026 Ford started selling its own.
The 2024 story
The H850 adds a supercharger and supporting upgrades to the Dark Horse's 5.0-liter Coyote V8, for 850 hp and 650 lb-ft, up about 70%. Hennessey quoted 0-60 mph in 3.2 seconds, half a second quicker than a stock automatic Dark Horse, and a quarter mile in 10.9 seconds at 133 mph against the stock car's 12.0 seconds at 118.4 mph.
What happened next
In April 2026 Ford opened orders for the Mustang Dark Horse SC, with a supercharged 5.2-liter V8 rated at 795 hp and 660 lb-ft and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, MotorWeek reported. It starts at $103,490 before destination and gas-guzzler tax; with the Track Pack it costs $139,990, according to Motor1.
2024 vs 2026
| Hennessey H850 Dark Horse | Ford Dark Horse SC | |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 5.0 V8, supercharged | 5.2 V8, supercharged |
| Output | 850 hp, 650 lb-ft | 795 hp, 660 lb-ft |
| Transmission | As the donor car | Seven-speed dual-clutch |
| Built by | Tuner, after purchase | Ford, from the factory |
Our read
Hennessey still has the higher number, but Ford has closed most of the gap with a car that comes with a factory warranty and a dealer network. Above $100,000, buyers who wanted a supercharged Dark Horse now have an official option, which shrinks the market tuners like Hennessey built around the Mustang.
