Watch Vaughn Gittin Jr. Tuning the S650 Mustang’s Electronic Drift Brake
Ford’s new Performance Electronic Drift Brake will allow new Mustang drivers to induce a wicked slide — no cable required.
Back in 2015, Ford surprised enthusiasts everywhere by making line lock standard on the Mustang GT. That bit of drag racing tech — originally designed to allow drivers to heat their rear tires — makes it easy for anyone to pull off the perfect burnout. Now Dearborn is offering Mustang fans the opportunity to smoke the tires in a different way, with the introduction of its new drift brake. Officially dubbed the Performance Electronic Drift Brake or Electronic Parking Brake, this trick piece of kit will come bundled with the Performance Pack on the S650 Mustang, and it looks like a total hoot.
Now, since the Mustang is a modern vehicle, with all kinds of electronic nannies onboard, it’s a little more complicated than aftermarket hydraulic systems. Instead, the Performance Electronic Drift Brake works with both the Mustang’s stability control system and the anti-lock brakes to lock up the rear wheels, so there’s no need for a mechanical connection. It goes without saying that this feature should be used on a closed course only — even if there will absolutely be videos of new buyers using it in a Wal-Mart parking lot ten minutes after taking delivery. Because that’s the world we live in.
Since the electronic nature of the brake makes it infinitely tweakable, Ford engineers enlisted some help from Formula Drift champ Vaugh Gittin Jr. to help dial in the feel. In the video below, we get to see him slide a camouflaged S650 test mule around a skidpad, and give feedback on how much bar — meaning hydraulic line pressure — he thinks would be best for normal folks, versus experts so used to looking out the driver’s window they don’t even need a windshield.
And if you’ve ever wondered whether that kind of “work” looks like fun? This clip should answer your question.
There’s sure to be loads more info about the next-gen Mustang coming in the next couple of months, as it’s supposed to hit Ford dealers in time for the summer driving season. There’s also going to be more from Vaugh Gittin Jr. as well, because after taking last year off from competition in Formula Drift, he’s returning to the grid, in hopes of piloting his Mustang RTR to another crown. The season kicks off this weekend in Long Beach, California — so stay tuned to see how he does!
Photos: YouTube
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