Thursday 1st December 2016

Skids still for kids? PH Blog

Is Dan ready to eat his words about drift modes being pointless?

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Drift modes appear to be an emotive topic. I've gone on record pondering if they're pointless. Journalist John Cadogan is a little more ... Australian on the topic. You'll get the gist long before his video's 18-minute conclusion; I've made it to the end and reckon Full Metal Jacket's Gunnery Sergeant Hartman would be impressed at his sustained sweariness. Suffice it to say, you'll be wanting headphones if you're planning to watch at work or in front of the kids...

Headphones at the ready for this one!

No swearing in my (thankfully rather shorter) vid from the E63 launch; just a bit of giggling and tyre squeal. So do I still think drift modes are pointless?

I'll stick by the central thrust of my argument that they are, essentially, novelty. But an interesting chat yesterday with a friendly chap from GKN Driveline (suppliers of the Twinster AWD system that lets the Focus RS do what it does) and dinner table small talk with AMG's development boss Oliver Wiech at least shed some light on how and why these things have come about.

I'll park Cadogan's point about manufacturer-endorsed 'douchebag modes' for now, while accepting they do raise some interesting ethical questions. Credit to AMG though; you're not going to select the E63's Drift Mode by accident and the fact it insists on leaving you totally exposed with no driver aids whatsoever should (hopefully) concentrate the attention of anyone intending to try it out. Morally - and potentially in insurance terms - you're on your own. The Focus is a little different, given you have to scroll 'past' Drift Mode any time you want to cycle through the settings, temptation made considerably more accessible than it is in the AMG.

This is how happy 612hp makes you

Anyway. In the E63's case I think it's a more symbolic move. 90 per cent of the previous shape E63s sold were 4Matics, even in those markets where customers had the choice between that and the rear-driven set-up RHD markets got as standard. This rather suggests buyers of monster saloons buy into the IDEA of huge power and hairy-chested handling. But, when given the choice, readily opt for 'nannying' all-wheel drive. The new technology in the 4Matic+ system means AMG can vary the torque split from zero to 31:69. Adding a setting that fixes it 0:100 is technically very simple. And provides a cake and eat it solution. Look at it this way: if Porsche had been able to install a button that made a clutch pedal drop into the footwell and change the PDK shifter to an H-pattern manual in the 991 GT3 and RS it would have spared itself a lot of grief too; slightly more challenging technically but there is that facelift pending...

Modern performance cars are packed with ability and technology buyers demand but - in the vast majority of cases - will never use. Like 'ring lap records owners delight in reciting but will never achieve themselves or off-road modes in posh SUVs I'd file E63's Drift Mode in that category. And appreciate the privilege of being able to try it out at AMG's expense. Due journalistic diligence and all that. Without the self righteous rage, or apparent desire to see someone killed to prove my point.

Dan

E63 Drift Mode tested

John Cadogan calls out Focus RS's Drift Mode (very NSFW!)

 

[anonymous-user]

I'm going to suggest there is a big difference in "drift modes" depending on the original powertrain architecture of the vehicle in question.

The AMG, is front longitudinal engined, sends all it's power backwards and then sends a bit forwards depending on conditions.

The RS, is front transverse engined, sends all it's power forwards, and then sends a bit backwards depending on conditions.

The AMG's mass distribution favors what is, in effect RWD, with a bit of a pull front the front to help out, the RS favors FWD with a bit of a push from the back to help out. As such "drift mode" in the RS is always a slave to it's (inferior) powertrain layout and hence although it makes the car go sideways when provoked, reduces overall lateral performance and always heavily loads the front tyres. The AMG however, starting with a balanced layout can overload just the rear tyres without overloading the fronts as well. This makes a big difference to the effectiveness of any "drift mode"

[anonymous-user]

BRW, it's worth noting, that it would be totally possible to install a "drift mode" in a purely FWD car using a modern electronically controlled rear wheel steer mechanism! That mode could even include different levels of yaw, between "Beginner", where it only needs a dab of oppo to catch, through "Expert" and onto "Hero" where you need the full handwheel angle to keep your car going in the right direction!

If you're reading this RenaultSport, then it's my idea, i thought of it first!! ;-)

[anonymous-user]

IME, as modern cars have soo much grip, the number of people who can actually drift them, and the number of places that have enough space to safely do that are vanishing-ly small. I mean, who is actually going to take a £60k massive AMG merc on a track day? It'd be hopeless,and the tyres will be wrecked (about £1000 of them!) in 3 laps....