Shelby’s limited-run Super Snake-R adds 850 horsepower, track hardware and a six-speed manual to Ford’s Dark Horse platform.
Shelby American is turning Ford’s track-focused Dark Horse into its latest flagship, unveiling the Super Snake-R with a quoted 850 horsepower and the option of a six-speed manual transmission. The limited-edition build, aimed at buyers who want race-ready pace without stepping up to Ford’s GTD, is available to order now for 2026 delivery with a starting price of $224,995.
The Super Snake-R starts with the seventh-generation Mustang Dark Horse and its naturally aspirated 5.0-liter Coyote V-8, rated by Ford at 500 horsepower and 418 pound-feet of torque. Shelby adds a 3.0-liter Whipple supercharger, pushing output to 850 horsepower—35 more than Ford’s GTD—plus a Shelby-branded cooling package and a Borla cat-back exhaust. A Tremec six-speed manual remains on the options list alongside a 10-speed automatic, preserving a traditional three-pedal layout in a segment where it is increasingly rare.
Chassis upgrades target track consistency. The Super Snake-R receives fully adjustable coil-over suspension and two-piece slotted brake rotors. Shelby says the package is street legal, mirroring the Dark Horse’s dual-use brief while dialing up capability for open-track days.
Exterior changes are extensive but functional. The car wears a wide-body kit composed largely of carbon-fiber components, including a front splitter, side skirts and a large rear wing. Staggered 20-inch magnesium wheels meet Ford and racing specifications, according to Shelby, and the car carries the tuner’s familiar badging with optional over-the-top stripes.
Inside, the front buckets are more accommodating than typical race seats, but the rear bench is deleted in favor of a roll bar. Trim details include carbon-fiber accents, while factory amenities from the Dark Horse—such as driver-assist tech and infotainment—remain.
Pricing places the Super Snake-R squarely between Ford’s Dark Horse and GTD. At $224,995, it’s roughly $160,000 more than a standard Dark Horse but about $100,000 less than a GTD, positioning Shelby’s build as a middle path for Mustang loyalists who want headline power, a manual gearbox and track-leaning hardware without crossing into Ford’s top-tier halo model.
Shelby did not disclose production numbers, but the company characterized the Super Snake-R as a limited-edition program. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2026.
