The Ford Mustang Dark Horse SC has entered a major new phase with Ford revealing a convertible version that keeps the model’s 795-horsepower supercharged V8. The new open-top Mustang brings the same 5.2-liter engine and seven-speed dual-clutch transmission into a more road-focused package.
Ford unveiled the convertible on August 14, 2026, adding a new dimension to its highest-output Mustang lineup. The coupe remains the track-focused version, while the convertible is designed around high-performance grand touring and open-air driving.
The new convertible is scheduled to open for orders in fall 2026, with deliveries expected to begin in spring 2027. Ford has not yet announced its U.S. price.
The move gives American buyers another way to experience the supercharged Mustang. It also marks the return of a high-performance Mustang convertible after more than a decade.
A New Convertible Joins the Lineup
The biggest development is the arrival of the convertible body style.
Ford developed the open-top model around the same supercharged 5.2-liter V8 used in the coupe. Output remains 795 horsepower and 660 lb-ft of torque.
That makes the convertible one of the most powerful factory-built Mustang drop-tops ever offered.
The car uses rear-wheel drive and sends its power through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. A carbon-fiber driveshaft is also part of the performance-focused drivetrain.
Ford has not simply removed the roof from the coupe. Engineers adjusted the suspension, aerodynamics and exhaust tuning to give the convertible a different personality.
The result is a model intended for fast road driving and long-distance touring rather than maximum track performance.
That distinction is important when comparing the two versions.
The coupe is engineered around aggressive circuit performance. The convertible is designed to deliver the same huge engine output with a more comfortable and open-air character.
795 Horsepower Remains the Headline
At the center of the car is a supercharged 5.2-liter V8.
The engine produces 795 horsepower and 660 lb-ft of torque. Those numbers remain unchanged for the new convertible.
The output puts the model well above the regular Dark Horse, which uses a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8.
The supercharged engine also gives the car a clear connection to Ford’s previous high-performance Mustang development.
The 5.2-liter architecture has powered some of the company’s most serious Mustang performance models. For the current SC, Ford has developed the engine for an even higher output level.
The supercharger allows the V8 to generate considerably more power than the naturally aspirated engine found in the standard Dark Horse.
For enthusiasts, that combination is central to the appeal. The car keeps a traditional V8 configuration while adding modern transmission and chassis technology.
Seven-Speed Dual-Clutch Transmission
The transmission is another defining feature.
The SC uses a seven-speed TREMEC dual-clutch transmission rather than the manual gearbox available in the regular Dark Horse.
A dual-clutch transmission can shift gears extremely quickly. It also allows the powertrain electronics to manage the engine’s substantial output with precision.
The carbon-fiber driveshaft further supports the performance-focused drivetrain.
This setup also makes the SC different from the more traditional Mustang experience.
The standard Dark Horse offers a six-speed manual for drivers who want direct mechanical involvement. The SC instead focuses on rapid automated shifts and consistent performance.
That approach makes sense for a vehicle designed to combine very high power with advanced chassis control.
The Convertible Has a Different Mission
Ford’s engineers made an important decision with the new drop-top.
They did not try to make it a direct substitute for the coupe’s most extreme track configuration.
Instead, the convertible is designed as a grand touring car.
That means the suspension is tuned with street driving in mind. The goal is to provide strong handling while delivering a more comfortable experience over longer distances.
This setup gives the convertible its own identity.
Drivers can enjoy the supercharged V8 with the roof lowered without having to choose the most aggressive track-oriented equipment.
The result is a Mustang aimed at enthusiasts who want extraordinary power but expect to spend most of their time on public roads.
MagneRide Suspension Comes Standard
The convertible retains advanced suspension technology.
MagneRide adaptive dampers help the vehicle adjust its damping characteristics to changing driving conditions.
For the convertible, Ford has tuned the system around grand touring rather than maximum lap-time performance.
That distinction should make the car more approachable during everyday driving.
The suspension also works with the car’s electronic systems to balance ride comfort and body control.
A magnesium strut tower brace is included as part of the chassis hardware.
Ford says the convertible did not require the extensive structural reinforcement that might normally be expected from an open-top high-performance car.
The engineering team instead used the Mustang convertible’s existing structural foundation and developed the performance configuration around it.
Aerodynamics Were Reworked for the Drop-Top
Removing a fixed roof changes the vehicle’s aerodynamic requirements.
Ford therefore revised several exterior components for the convertible.
The hood heat extractor uses a different pattern. The change allows the component to integrate more effectively with the convertible’s airflow.
The rear spoiler arrangement is also different from the coupe because of the different decklid design.
These details may look minor, but they matter on a vehicle producing nearly 800 horsepower.
At high speeds, aerodynamic balance becomes increasingly important.
Ford has therefore treated the convertible as its own engineering project rather than simply adapting the coupe body.
The Coupe Remains the Track Specialist
The convertible does not replace the coupe.
The coupe remains the more serious choice for buyers who prioritize track driving.
Its available Track Pack adds equipment designed specifically for circuit use.
That package includes 20-inch carbon-fiber wheels, Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires.
The coupe can also receive extensive aerodynamic equipment.
A large carbon-fiber rear wing with a gurney flap is part of the Track Pack configuration. Ford has stated that the setup can produce 620 pounds of rear downforce at 180 mph.
The Track Pack also deletes the rear seats, reducing weight and creating additional space behind the front occupants.
These features make the coupe a much more specialized machine.
The convertible takes a different route by retaining the supercharged engine while avoiding the most extreme track equipment.
2026 Coupe Pricing Is Already Confirmed
Ford has already established pricing for the 2026 coupe.
The starting price is $108,485 after destination charges and the gas-guzzler tax.
The Track Pack version reaches $144,985.
The limited Track Pack Special Edition costs $175,965.
That pricing places the SC firmly in premium performance-car territory.
The Special Edition combines the track-focused equipment with additional exterior and interior details.
It is available in Shadow Black and Oxford White, with a black-painted roof and Race Red Brembo brake calipers.
The cabin receives Solar Red accents on the Recaro seats.
Ford has not announced the final U.S. price for the convertible.
Until Ford publishes that figure, buyers should treat unofficial estimates as unconfirmed.
The Convertible Will Arrive as a 2027 Model
The new open-top version is scheduled to enter the market as a 2027 model.
Ford plans to open order books in fall 2026.
Customer deliveries are expected to begin in spring 2027.
That timing means the convertible will follow the coupe’s introduction rather than arriving alongside the original SC.
The schedule also gives Ford time to complete production preparations for the new body style.
For buyers considering the convertible, the most important confirmed information right now is the order window and delivery target.
Pricing and final availability details have not yet been released.
A Return to High-Performance Mustang Convertibles
The new model also carries historical significance for the Mustang range.
Ford has not offered a new high-performance Mustang convertible at this level for more than a decade.
The new SC convertible therefore represents a return to an area of the Mustang lineup that has been absent for years.
This time, Ford is bringing considerably more power.
The 795-horsepower output puts the new car far beyond the performance levels associated with traditional Mustang convertibles.
That makes the return especially notable.
It is not simply a nostalgic revival. Ford is using the latest performance technology to create an open-top model with nearly 800 horsepower.
Exterior Design Gives the Convertible Its Own Character
The convertible retains the aggressive appearance associated with the SC family.
Its wide stance, performance-focused front end and muscular bodywork remain central to the design.
The open roof changes the visual balance, however.
Without the fixed roof, the cabin becomes a much more prominent part of the exterior profile.
Ford has also introduced Precision Purple as a new exterior color associated with the convertible.
The color gives the model a distinctive appearance while reinforcing its position as a special addition to the Mustang range.
Black Onyx and Space Gray interior choices are also available.
These details help separate the convertible from the more track-focused coupe.
The SC Name Is Becoming More Important
The arrival of the convertible gives the SC designation greater importance within the Mustang lineup.
Ford introduced the SC as a high-performance evolution of the Dark Horse.
The model combines a supercharged V8 with advanced suspension, braking, aerodynamic and electronic systems.
Now the same performance name is being extended to a second body style.
That creates a clear distinction between two different driving philosophies.
The coupe emphasizes track capability.
The convertible emphasizes grand touring.
Both retain the same fundamental powertrain.
This gives buyers a choice based on how they intend to use the car rather than simply how much power they want.
Performance Hardware Goes Beyond the Engine
The engine is the most obvious part of the SC package, but the chassis hardware is equally important.
The coupe uses revised springs, stabilizer bars, knuckles and control arms.
The braking system includes six-piston front and four-piston rear Brembo calipers.
The standard coupe also uses 20-inch aluminum wheels with high-performance tires.
The available Track Pack then takes the hardware substantially further.
The carbon-fiber wheels reduce unsprung weight.
Carbon-ceramic brakes provide high-performance braking capability.
Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires provide an even more aggressive connection with the road.
The convertible does not receive the same extreme track equipment.
That difference reflects Ford’s decision to give each version a specific purpose.
Why the Convertible Matters to Mustang Buyers
The new convertible expands the appeal of the SC without changing its core identity.
Some buyers want maximum lap-time capability.
Others want a powerful performance car that can be driven across the country with the roof down.
The convertible is aimed at the second group.
Its grand-touring focus should make it more suitable for everyday road use than a heavily track-oriented configuration.
At the same time, the 795-horsepower engine ensures that performance remains central to the experience.
That combination could make the convertible especially attractive to buyers who see their Mustang as both a performance car and a long-distance touring vehicle.
The SC Sits Near the Top of the Mustang Range
Within the current Mustang family, the SC occupies an important position.
The standard Dark Horse provides 500 horsepower from its naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8.
The SC dramatically increases that output with its supercharged 5.2-liter engine.
Above it sits the Mustang GTD, which occupies an even more specialized position within Ford’s performance portfolio.
The SC therefore fills the space between the regular Dark Horse and the GTD.
Its pricing reflects that position.
The $108,485 starting price is far above the regular Mustang range, but it remains below the cost of the most exclusive Mustang GTD configurations.
That makes the SC an important performance offering for buyers who want extreme output without moving all the way into GTD territory.
What Is Confirmed Right Now
The latest confirmed information gives buyers a clear picture of the model.
- The engine is a supercharged 5.2-liter V8.
- Output is 795 horsepower.
- Torque is 660 lb-ft.
- The transmission is a seven-speed dual-clutch unit.
- The drivetrain is rear-wheel drive.
- The coupe offers an available Track Pack.
- The Track Pack includes carbon-fiber wheels and carbon-ceramic brakes.
- Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 R tires are available with the Track Pack.
- The 2026 coupe starts at $108,485.
- The Track Pack coupe starts at $144,985.
- The Track Pack Special Edition starts at $175,965.
- The new convertible keeps the 795-horsepower powertrain.
- Convertible orders are expected to open in fall 2026.
- Convertible deliveries are expected in spring 2027.
- Ford has not announced the convertible’s official U.S. price.
These details represent the current confirmed position of the lineup.
What Buyers Should Watch Next
The next major development will be the opening of the convertible order banks.
Ford has already confirmed the fall 2026 order window. The company is expected to provide additional purchasing and availability information as that window approaches.
Pricing will be especially important.
The coupe already starts above $100,000 before buyers add the most expensive performance equipment. The convertible’s final price will determine how it compares with other high-performance open-top vehicles.
Production availability will also matter.
The SC is a specialized Mustang with a much higher level of performance hardware than the standard models.
That makes the ordering process particularly important for buyers who want a specific configuration.
The Bigger Picture for the Mustang SC
The SC represents a major change in the way Ford approaches the highest levels of Mustang performance.
Rather than relying only on a larger naturally aspirated engine, Ford has combined supercharging with a dual-clutch transmission and sophisticated chassis technology.
The result is a Mustang with 795 horsepower that can be configured for either aggressive track driving or open-air grand touring.
The new convertible makes the strategy even clearer.
Ford is not reducing the power to make the drop-top more accessible. It is keeping the full 795-horsepower output and changing the chassis character instead.
That is what makes the new version stand out.
It offers the same headline engine performance while giving buyers a completely different way to experience it.
Final Takeaway
The SC lineup is now broader, more powerful and more versatile than when Ford first introduced it.
The 2026 coupe remains the choice for drivers who want a serious track-focused Mustang. Its available Track Pack adds the hardware needed for more demanding circuit use.
The newly revealed 2027 convertible takes the same supercharged 5.2-liter V8 and turns it into a grand-touring experience.
With 795 horsepower, 660 lb-ft of torque and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, the convertible keeps the most important performance credentials intact.
Ford’s decision to expand the SC into an open-top model also brings a high-performance Mustang convertible back to the market after years away.
For U.S. enthusiasts, the next major milestones will be the opening of convertible orders and the announcement of its official price.
What do you think of Ford’s new 795-horsepower drop-top Mustang? Share your thoughts and stay updated as the latest confirmed details emerge.