This Wild Mustang Is a Dark Horse GTD—Twice the Price You'd Expect

The CS800DH Mustang from Clive Sutton includes a 3.0L Whipple supercharger that provides 788 horsepower.
Based on GTD, it features carbon fiber hood vents, a diffuser, and a fixed rear spoiler.
In the UK, prices vary between £135,000 and £165,000, with the launch scheduled at Salon Prive.

Although the name Clive Sutton may not be familiar to American audiences, it holds significant recognition in the UK. Recognized as one of the... UK’s elite performance vehicle experts, the firm has extensive experience with luxury exotic vehicles and modified classic American muscle cars, maintaining an ongoing partnership with the Ford Mustang.

Its most recent initiative elevates this relationship to an entirely new degree with the introduction of the CS800DH Mustang, a significantly modified version of Ford’s seventh-gen pony car.

Read: Tuners Set to Embrace Chaos as Ford's Secured ECU Is Successfully Hacked

Beneath the surface, matters become significant. Based on the Mustang The Dark Horse version of the CS800DH features a 5.0-liter V8 engine paired with a 3.0-liter Whipple supercharger, increasing horsepower from the UK specification of 447 hp to an impressive 788 hp at 6,700 rpm, along with 642 lb-ft of torque at 4,750 rpm.

Sutton has gone beyond just improving the engine, incorporating a Borla exhaust system featuring a custom H-pipe, along with a reduced suspension configuration, complemented by specially made Vossen wheels as part of the enhanced performance features.

Quite as remarkable as the performance modifications applied to the Ford are certain aesthetic and aerodynamic enhancements. The first thing that draws attention is an open carbon fiber hood featuring two large air vents designed to expel heat from the engine compartment.

Clive Sutton has subsequently designed carbon fiber air intakes for the front fenders, similar to the ones seen on a Mustang GTD. Additional modifications consist of a personalized carbon fiber diffuser and an expanded fixed rear spoiler, which is also constructed from carbon.

The inside of the present-day Ford Mustang looks good, but it doesn’t stand out much. Clive Sutton has transformed it by re-covering the ceiling, seats, dash, and door panels with vibrant blue Alcantara, bringing an element of luxury that a standard Mustang lacks. While the blue may not appeal to everyone, who doesn't appreciate soft-touch surfaces?

Big Money, Bigger Questions

The CS800DH will be unveiled publicly at Salon Privé this August, though opinions vary on whether it's worth the cost. Priced between £135,000 (approximately $178,000) and £165,000 (roughly $216,000), it falls within a range typically associated with genuine supercar elites.

With that amount of money, purchasers might choose a slightly used McLaren or Porsche 911 GT3, vehicles known for their strong performance history and comfort. The CS800DH definitely makes an impression and delivers strength, yet at this cost, it isn’t merely facing off against other Mustang models—it's entering a far more challenging competition.