What’s It Like to Sit Behind the Wheel of Your Dream Car?

We arrived too early, so we took the opportunity to admire this dark horse up-close. Under the light, the new design language of the car is fully revealed, with too many mesmerizing elements to mention; it exudes a wildness even more intense than the previous generation of Mustang. With some reluctance, I have to admit my shallowness – with just a few glances, I found myself already captivated just by the looks of Mustang Dark Horse.

The interior also caught my attention for a long time. The digital instrument combines retro and modern aesthetics, and the entire operating screen wraps around the main driver. This is a design tailored for focused driving!

I am incredibly fortunate to experience Mustang Dark Horse as an invited guest, instead of a test engineer. More importantly, today, I don’t have to worry too much about lateral acceleration measurements in VRA. Who could resist that?

Though today’s cold, slippery ground conditions created some anxiety for commuting, they provided an even more thrilling experience with the Mustang Dark Horse, adding a touch of liveliness to the drive. Even during straight-line acceleration, the rear axle struggled to maintain stability. With a slightly stronger press of the accelerator, the rear of the car began to dance, reminding me to stay calm and respectful.

However, this is by no means an untamed beast.

On the contrary, as the front end turned in, the rear began to slide outward. The rotation of this dark horse came in gracefully and calmly. At this moment, it seemed as if the car intentionally restrained its temperament and disposition, giving me ample time to adjust the throttle and counter-steer, drifting through the track with a controlled sideways stance.

As I turned the steering wheel, the 4.8-meter-long vehicle navigated through the Gymkhana circuit with agility and precision. The front end responded sensitively, while the rear closely followed every curve, making the handling crisp, flexible, and effortless. Despite being a heavyweight that exceeds 1.8 tons, the intense deceleration before entering corners allowed me to enjoy the potential of this stallion with boldness and confidence.

The test drive was pleasant yet brief. The car’s amazing performance definitely leaves one wanting more, but the experience was long enough to get a good glimpse of this fine steed's personality. With impeccable style, wild DNA from its heritage, tamed temperament, and the confidence brought by its 5.0L V8 engine, whether you want to play, drift, or simply live with a wild heart, this car can fulfill all your desires.

In this era dominated by electric vehicles, the arrival of the Mustang Dark Horse is a rather rebellious act. Perhaps we should ask ourselves, is the source of energy what’s important here? Or is it the captivating spirit of rebellion and wildness that truly fascinates us?

In addition, I would like to sincerely thank all the staff for their hard work that day, and thank the company for being willing to listen to our voices so that we can experience this thrill and joy firsthand!

I still remember the feeling of seeing a real 5.0L Mustang in the parking lot with my own eyes during my first week at Ford, back in 2015.

I’m part of the generation that got involved in our domestic automotive culture. This was the era dominated by small-displacement turbo engines. At the time, the often talked-about "American muscle cars with stellar horsepower" only existed in magazines and movies.

As living standards were raised, once rare and expensive cars have gradually become the mode of transportation for most families. In an era where small engine pulled big cars, and most car driving experience was so boring, it's surprising that there was a car company that, like a rebel, would bring a naturally aspirated 5.0L rear-wheel-drive sports car into the country. To me, that is the most touching part of the story!

What's even more exciting is that I am now an employee of this company, and have the privilege of being one of the first experience ambassadors for this car – the all-new Mustang Dark Horse.

The day before the event, there was a hailstorm in Nanjing, so just in case, I set off at 6 a.m. the next morning. Although the icy weather caused some minor troubles during the commute, secretly, I was actually pleased because slippery road surfaces actually enhance the driving pleasure of a powerful rear-wheel-drive car like the Mustang.

I had encountered camouflaged prototype cars for this model a year ago, so I already had some expectations of it. Even then, I cannot fully explain the complex feelings I experienced while sitting inside the car. I'm now sitting in the car that I had posters of by my childhood bed!

The steering of the all-new Mustang Dark Horse has undergone a radical transformation compared to its previous generation, evolving from being somewhat indistinct to becoming sharp as a tack. The naturally aspirated 5.0L Coyote engine, which has undergone four generations of evolution over 35 years, delivers a continuous stream of power, allowing you to feel the surge of power with every press of the gas pedal. It feels as if this car is designed to remind people of the thrill of driving fuel-powered cars, and even with the automatic transmission version, you can still experience the joy of pulling the handbrake for drifts as if it were manual transmission.

Like to start off your drive by smoking the tires? Good news, they’ve just put in a feature to make you happy!

How many car enthusiasts have the opportunity to drift freely, burn rubber, push the limits of their vehicles without concern over tire wear or vehicle damage, and seek the threshold of friction in rainy and snowy weather, all on a large and safe track? The whole purpose is to play with and explore the car to the fullest, with no worries about the tires.

Moreover, almost everyone invited to this event, including the media guests, was a true enthusiast who loves performance cars, is a skilled driver, and understands cars. Every person there was involved in driving, filming, and introducing cars, which is great because it really felt like a gathering of genuine car enthusiasts.

Finally, I sincerely hope that Ford can bring more fun cars into the country, allowing more young people who love cars to truly experience the thrill and joy of driving, feel the beauty of the machinery, and ensure that the internal combustion engine lives on!