Ford okays Focus RS drift mode

Ford Australia has defended its decision to delete the line-lock 'burn-out' function from the newly-launched Mustang, yet allow the 'drift' mode to remain as part of the hi-po Focus RS' arsenal.

Australia is the only country among 130 where the Mustang is sold where the decision has been made to delete the software that locks the front wheels at the press of a button and makes burn-outs a snack. While the line-lock function is disabled, the Mustang is still fully capable of burn-outs.

The drift mode available in the 258kW RS, also at a touch of a button, will remain fully operational when the RS goes on-sale here later in the year.

As demonstrated in this video, the drift mode adjusts the all-wheel drive system, engine and stability control system to enable controllable oversteer.

But Ford Australia president Graeme Whickman said the line-lock deletion related directly to acting in the spirit of local anti-hoon laws, under which a driver can have his car confiscated for performing a burn-out, whereas the RS drifting mode was a different situation.

"I don't think this is a true apples to apples comparison," he said.

"You don’t have an anti-hoon environment that's talking specifically about drifting on a track as opposed to a line-lock on the road. That’s the thought process.

"At the end of the day we have to make sure we bring in a vehicle that we are confident in its capability and it meets the required standards.

"And those standards could be emissions right through to safety."

Whickman said there were significant differences between the burn-out and drift functions, because the former could be easily performed on the public road while the latter was more commonly associated with track activity.

"I think the propensity of someone to do a burn-out at a stop is far greater than somebody wanting to drift on the road," he stated.

"Quite seriously, when you are driving around how often do you see people actively trying to drift their cars, compared to someone wanting to drift their wheels from the start."

He said he had no qualms about Australia being the only country in the world where the Mustang didn’t offer the line-lock.

"Have a look at the regulatory context we are operating in. Would it be fair to say the regulatory environment is common across those 130 countries?"

Whickman said he was part of the Ford Australia leadership team that made the call on the line-lock.

"We have to feel confident that what we provide is fit for purpose and later when something happens, we can stand by our decision.

"Safety is paramount, you wouldn't expect me to say anything else."

You can read out first quick spin drive review of the RS and earlier this week we published a technical rundown on the AWD hatch.

Watch out for our first Australian drive impression of the Mustang GT V8 on Thursday. If you can't wait that long then try this recent review of the Mustang Ecoboost four-cylinder version.