Monday 3rd April 2023

New Ford Mustang to offer electronic drift brake

Mustangs already have a reputation under power; now it's time for the bar to get involved...

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Even the most mellow have their worst side brought out by a Ford Mustang. V8s and manual gearboxes tend to do that anyway, but there’s something about the Mustang’s aura that just encourages a bit of misbehaviour. That and the line lock, of course. Now, thanks to YouTube, we’ve all seen what happens when that misbehaviour goes wrong - this Mustang fail video has 9m views - and with the latest Mustang Ford is introducing a new feature that’ll surely only help the mayhem: a drift brake.     

We’ve been here before, of course, the old Focus RS getting a drift stick to help with owners pretending to be rally drivers. Now they have Vaughn Gittin Jr. involved, the drift brake having been revealed with his new Formula Drift Mustang. “Our goal was putting larger smiles on the faces of soon-to-be fellow seventh-generation Mustang owners.” Heaven help us all.

Designed by Ford and RTR, the drift brake can be optioned on any new Mustang (four-cyl or V8, manual or auto) in a Performance Pack. The Mustang uses an electronic parking brake, which presumably leaves the physical lever purely for oiking about in track mode.

‘The drift brake emulates with advanced electronics the hydraulic drift brake found in RTR’s Formula Drift Mustang, with more than three times the braking force of a conventional mechanical parking brake system.’ So you yank it, those rear wheels are going to lock - what happens next is up to the driver…

Funnily enough, Ford reckons the drift brake is a segment first. It’s also desperate to stress how this is a feature designed only for track use: there are disclaimers in the video, in the press release, everywhere. Which makes sense. But that was meant to be the case with line lock as well - we all know what happened there. The drift brake is going to be tremendous fun for those who get on a drift day somewhere, but it’s absolutely going to be used on the street as well. And filmed.

“Mustang has always stood for on-road freedom and track performance and its first-ever electronic drift brake adds a whole new dimension of on-track fun and capability that will enable almost anyone to drift like they’re a soon-to-be-Vaughn Gittin Jr”, said Jim Owens, Ford Mustang brand manager. The entertainment value is certainly not in doubt, because that’s what Mustangs are all about; expect to see many more preview videos ahead of sales commencing in the summer. Then will come the clips from real-life use…

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[Zumbruk]

Buy shares in lamp-post manufacturers.

[FaustF]

Ford do nail it sometimes, they know exactly what this is, what it stands for and how important a sense of fun and humour is.

Excellent stuff.

[donkmeister]

Well this article has brightened my day as I thought the Mustang name was only applied to bloated electric crossovers now, I didn't realise there was still an actual proper Mustang with a proper V8.
Thank you for the edification.

[Xenoous]

How can they still make a fun v8 machine to tingle the senses but cancel anything fun that's remotely affordable for the masses? Talking Fiesta and Focus ST here. Such a shame.

This looks incredible though. I still long to own an S550 5.0. One day... One day.

[BlackTank]

I've gone sideways intentionally and unintentionally in my Mustang. Compared to some of my older RWD cars over the years, it mostly manages to let you know how fked you are. That's why I love the youtube videos - the drivers must be super: naive, inexperienced, brave or all 3 to lose it so badly. I'm glad Ford is keeping Mustangs fun, though that new front end isn't working for me.

[BlackTank]

Xenoous said:

How can they still make a fun v8 machine to tingle the senses but cancel anything fun that's remotely affordable for the masses? Talking Fiesta and Focus ST here. Such a shame.

This looks incredible though. I still long to own an S550 5.0. One day... One day.

Do it! I've got a 2016 5.0 6spd with some suspension upgrades. It's the most fun modern car I've ever driven.

[RacerMike]

Xenoous said:

How can they still make a fun v8 machine to tingle the senses but cancel anything fun that's remotely affordable for the masses? Talking Fiesta and Focus ST here. Such a shame.

This looks incredible though. I still long to own an S550 5.0. One day... One day.

Primarily because they're an American company and probably see the Focus and Fiesta as small margin risky platforms that are in a market (Europe) which is heading strongly towards a mass market EV fleet (despite the recent change due to Germany) where it will become increasingly difficult to claw back the development costs of smaller vehicles.

It doesn't at all benefit us as consumers, but ultimately Ford (like any other manufacturer) has to place profit first and the reality is, a car like the Mustang will easily make profit in the US where they're as popular as a 3 series (it's hard not to spot one every couple of miles!) and a similar price.

Here's hoping KIA/Hyundai and VW continue to make small (not SUV) hatchbacks...

[Evil.soup]

That seems just fantastic! I do find myself browsing the Mustangs on auto trader, would even be happy with the 2.3 ecoboost imagine that can muster up some sketchy moments!! The V8 of course is the real one but the 2.3 is still pretty cool in my book.

[Snubs]

Xenoous said:

How can they still make a fun v8 machine to tingle the senses but cancel anything fun that's remotely affordable for the masses? Talking Fiesta and Focus ST here. Such a shame.

This looks incredible though. I still long to own an S550 5.0. One day... One day.

What amazes me is what i first saw in a Doug DeMuro video recently where he was saying that in America Ford only sell 1 car, which is the Mustang. Everything else is an SUV or pick up. I don't think that'll actually be true until the end of the year when the GT goes out of production (hardly a car for the masses..). But still, given that the Mustang is a fairly expensive performance car, the number of cars Ford make for your average bod in America is precisely 0....

[NigelCayless]

I've had mine for nearly three years now. I managed 20k miles on a set of rear tires and I've yet to crash into a lamppost sideways...... I'll get my coat.

[Jon_S_Rally]

FaustF said:

Ford do nail it sometimes, they know exactly what this is, what it stands for and how important a sense of fun and humour is.

Excellent stuff.

I'm going to correct you and say that Ford USA nail it. Ford in Europe now looks pretty fked, and is sucking the joy out of its range almost entirely.

Admittedly the US only gets SUVs and trucks other than the Mustang, but they get Raptor versions of the F-150, Ranger and Bronco, and will no doubt get hotter versions of the Mustang that won't make it across the Atlantic. Meanwhile, Ford's entry-level car in Europe will soon be the Tourneo Connect

[Bloxxcreative]

Quick glance I thought it was a Camaro. Prefer the current and previous generations externally, but this still looks a hoot. Need to try and take one out at some point.

[howardhughes]

I knew someone who had his for less than a week, I believe, before totalling it in a field.

It couldn't have happened to a nicer person.

[nismo48]

Jon_S_Rally said:

FaustF said:

Ford do nail it sometimes, they know exactly what this is, what it stands for and how important a sense of fun and humour is.

Excellent stuff.

I'm going to correct you and say that Ford USA nail it. Ford in Europe now looks pretty fked, and is sucking the joy out of its range almost entirely.

Admittedly the US only gets SUVs and trucks other than the Mustang, but they get Raptor versions of the F-150, Ranger and Bronco, and will no doubt get hotter versions of the Mustang that won't make it across the Atlantic. Meanwhile, Ford's entry-level car in Europe will soon be the Tourneo Connect

Very good

[Jon_S_Rally]

nismo48 said:

Very good

If only it was that funny - according to an article I read the other day, the Tourneo Connect will soon be Ford's cheapest passenger car. Otherwise, you have to buy a Puma. I don't usually wish failure on others, but part of me really hopes Ford realise what a colossal cock-up they're making at the moment.