For the majority of people, the Ford Mustang is the definitive muscle car and a finished article. For others, it is merely seen as a platform, and the new Clive Sutton CS800DH is unashamedly from the latter camp.

The London-based tuner and importer has chosen the Mustang Dark Horse as a base, which normally produces 447bhp courtesy of its 5.0-litre Coyote V8. But Sutton has slapped a 3.0-litre Whipple ‘Stage 1’ supercharger on top, raising output to a suitably silly 788bhp at 6,700rpm. Naturally, torque is up too, increasing from 540Nm to 870Nm (642lb-ft) at 4,750rpm. Both figures exceed the output of the Mustang GTD flagship, which recently became the fastest American car to ever lap the Nürburgring.

Notably, despite a 76 percent increase in power and 61 percent more torque, Sutton’s upgrades remain within Ford Performance’s modification guidelines, preserving the three-year/36,000-mile manufacturer warranty. Sutton also backs this up with matching coverage for its own modifications.

Despite the newfound power, Sutton states the CS800DH retains the road focus of the Dark Horse rather than sacrificing usability to benefit quarter mile times. Chassis upgrades include lowered and stiffened MagneRide suspension that remains compatible with the factory driving modes. Vossen HF5 wheels (20x10.5 inches front, 20x9.5 inches rear) in a bronze finish are wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tyres, selected for their bandwidth on road and track.

The philosophy is carried into the new carbon fibre body kit, including a wider rear wing (1,580mm), extended rear diffuser, reworked bonnet, side skirts, and a deeper front splitter - Sutton claims all parts contribute to cooling and downforce rather than serving as cosmetic add ons.

The regular Dark Horse is an easy car to love, but one area crying out for improvement is the exhaust note, which has been muffled - pun intended - by EU regulations. On the CS800DH, a Borla ATAK system paired with a custom Sutton H-pipe helps the Coyote find its voice to compete with the supercharger whine. The system maintains compatibility with drive mode-controlled sound levels, offering a more subdued exhaust note when needed.

The interior of the CS800DH launch car can only be described as eyecatching. Many Smurfs have been sacrificed in an attempt to match the bright Miami blue of the brake callipers. The new Recaro seats, dashboard inserts, headlining, door cards and carpets have all been re-trimmed in the hue. We suspect the brave choice is a move to get chins wagging, for Clive Sutton states customers can specify a bespoke interior clad in Alcantara and leather in a colour of their choosing. 

Elsewhere, there’s a short-throw MGW shifter for slicker gear changes, while the seats retain both their OEM heated and cooling functionality. Optional Recaro racing buckets are available too.

With prices ranging from £135,000 to £165,000, the CS800DH carries a considerable premium over the standard £70,000 Dark Horse. Still, it arguably undercuts rivals like the £220,000 Shelby Super Snake once imported.

The car is scheduled to make its public debut at Salon Privé in August, where it will be showcased alongside Sutton’s restomod 1967 GT500CS and CX10000 Shelby Cobra.