A newly surfaced patent utility hints that Ford is engaged on a brand new drift mode for each internal-combustion engine automobiles and EVs.

The applying was filed all the best way again in September 2020 however revealed by the USA Patent and Trademark Workplace (USPTO) this week. It describes utilizing a automobile’s friction brakes to lock the rear wheels to induce a drift. In drift mode, the wheels could be decoupled from the driveline by way of clutches to permit them to spin freely, with torque utilized by way of an actuator to maintain them spinning.

Ford drift mode patent picture

Ford claims this method could possibly be utilized to internal-combustion autos, EVs, or hybrids. The automaker made an identical declare in a drift mode patent utility that surfaced in 2022. That utility additionally mentioned utilizing the friction brakes to lock up the rear wheels to start out a drift.

Each iterations are very totally different from Ford’s earlier drift mode. The final Ford Focus RS was ready to make use of its all-wheel-drive system to ship extra torque to the rear wheels—significantly the skin rear wheel—to assist induce a slide. The 2024 Ford Mustang additionally launched an digital drift brake designed as a better and more practical different to pulling a automobile’s hand brake to start out drifting.

Ford drift mode patent picture

Some BMW M and Mercedes-AMG fashions, in addition to the present Volkswagen Golf R, additionally characteristic drift modes. However these depend on sending extra torque to the rear wheels, not locking them up.

A patent submitting shouldn’t be affirmation of manufacturing plans, however Ford has been keen to point out the sportier aspect of EVs with one-off builds just like the seven-motor Mustang Mach-E 1400. A drift mode will surely assist get that message throughout. The 2024 Mustang Mach-E Rally additionally includes a RallySport drive mode that enables extra sideways motion, though it is aimed primarily at gravel roads.