Tuesday 22nd April 2014

Ford Mustang burnout mode

Ford dresses up new line-lock function as serious motorsport functionality...

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Pah, technology. It ruins good old driving pleasure, isolating us from what's going on outside the car and putting the dampers on the slightest hint of loss of traction.

Or does it? Ford disagrees, confirming the new Mustang will be sold with an in-built burnout mode. Nice!

When engaged, the burnout mode engages more traditional technology in the shape of a line-lock that releases only the rear brakes when you lift off the pedal, allowing you to stamp on the accelerator "to warm the tyres for maximum grip." Mustang chief engineer Dave Pericak says "We're using advanced controls technology for the all-new Mustang to provide some of our most dedicated fans with an industry-first feature they can use when they go to the track.

"With electronic line-lock, customers who drive their Mustangs to work all week and then compete on the weekends will appreciate not having to modify their brake systems to be able to do effective tyre prep at the drag strip."

As well as the, ahem, burnout mode, the Mustang will offer selectable drive modes and a number of track features - including launch control and acceleration timer.

"Whether a customer wants to take weekend road trips, go road racing or compete in grassroots drag racing, we aim to maximize the driving experience for everyone," said Pericak. Unless, that is, you're spooked by the 'racing your vehicle will void your warranty' warning in the small print at the start of the video launching the new tech. Does it still count if you only use the function on the public road?

Vid here.

[davidcharles]

wow, mainstream car manafacturer allows "fun"...whatever next?

[rocketride]

What is it with Americans and cheesy-rock background music.

Edited by rocketride on Tuesday 22 April 13:59

[PanzerCommander]

Nice to see things like this on cars. And it is something that you should fit if you are serious about drag racing (reduces drivetrain stress and rear brake heat/wear). Whether you are running street tyres and just want to clean them and scrub them up a bit or drag radials where you actually want to get them warm.

However, to me it smacks of "sorry we ruined the car for drag racers by making it IRS so have a built in line lock on us" to try and make it more attractive to people that drag race Mustangs.

But then maybe I am far too cynical.

[JDMDrifter]

This is why i love muscle cars, built to not give a damn, just straight line madness and burnouts.

[cybersimon]

Feature sponsored by Pirelli

[Motorrad]

Erm, my car does that if you just set off with a bit of ginger from the mark.

I think they'd be better just bolting a supercharger on there as standard.

[FQH]

Lame... What next, a self drift mode?

[AngryPartsBloke]

FQH said:

Lame... What next, a self drift mode?

Weapon.

Do you even understand the concept of a Line lock?

[Stu R]

JDMDrifter said:

This is why i love muscle cars, built to not give a damn, just straight line madness and burnouts.

It's a pony car.

[Turbodiesel1976]

Meh heh heh, those crazy Americans

[FQH]

AngryPartsBloke said:

Weapon.

Do you even understand the concept of a Line lock?

You cant be serious...

This is nothing but a marketing gimmick to make fat americans feel they have a """"racing"""" tool in their fat production cars.

[C.A.R.]

FQH said:

Lame... What next, a self drift mode?

Been done...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=krJmTZ-TcMc

[PanzerCommander]

FQH said:

You cant be serious...

This is nothing but a marketing gimmick to make fat americans feel they have a """"racing"""" tool in their fat production cars.

If you had read the first paragraph in my post you would know what the purpose of a line lock is. Over in the US they have far easier access to drag strips than we do in the UK. Which means they generally do far more passes on drag strips than we do which means a line lock is a useful accessory to have. They genuinely reduce brake wear, transmission temperatures, (especially if they are going round and round (hot lapping)) and general stress on the driveline components.

And as for fat cars? have you seen how much European cars of the same size weigh - you might be surprised, the 2006 Mustang weighed less than the M3 of the same year for example.

I do think it is a marketing tool myself (see the second paragraph in my first post) mind, especially as RACING WILL VOID YOUR WARRANTY.

[FQH]

PanzerCommander said:

If you had read the first paragraph in my post you would know what the purpose of a line lock is. Over in the US they have far easier access to drag strips than we do in the UK. Which means they generally do far more passes on drag strips than we do which means a line lock is a useful accessory to have. They genuinely reduce brake wear, transmission temperatures, (especially if they are going round and round (hot lapping)) and general stress on the driveline components.

And as for fat cars? have you seen how much European cars of the same size weigh - you might be surprised, the 2006 Mustang weighed less than the M3 of the same year for example.

I do think it is a marketing tool myself (see the second paragraph in my first post) mind, especially as RACING WILL VOID YOUR WARRANTY.

I know what line lock is thanks. Even if I didnt the article is pretty clear...

This gimmick is not in the car to reduce brake wear or any other tech reason, it's marketing nonsense!

[JDMDrifter]

Stu R said:

JDMDrifter said:

This is why i love muscle cars, built to not give a damn, just straight line madness and burnouts.

It's a pony car.

I see what you did there

[driftingphil]

FQH said:

Lame... What next, a self drift mode?

A hydraulic Fly off hand brake maybe...

Edited by driftingphil on Tuesday 22 April 15:24

[Chicane-UK]

FQH said:

You cant be serious...

This is nothing but a marketing gimmick to make fat americans feel they have a """"racing"""" tool in their fat production cars.

Have you seen the road tests of recent muscle cars, like the Mustang? The one where, for example, it whipped an M3 around a test track? The stupid Top Gear cliche's of poorly made, lardy muscle cars being driven by lazy Americans is getting so excruciatingly long in the tooth, and as for the people that perpetuate them...

[Ozzie Osmond]

cybersimon said:

Feature sponsored by Pirelli

Absolutely right! The burnout boys must be short of things to do with their money.

[carinaman]

It may help prevent little accidents like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oebzAIZEfxQ

FCS? Ford Clutch Saver?

[kingb]

Chicane-UK said:

Have you seen the road tests of recent muscle cars, like the Mustang? The one where, for example, it whipped an M3 around a test track? The stupid Top Gear cliche's of poorly made, lardy muscle cars being driven by lazy Americans is getting so excruciatingly long in the tooth, and as for the people that perpetuate them...

Havnt seen that one! Got a link?? would be good to see