Get Your Drift On; Ford Performance Offers World's First Electronic Handbrake
October 31, 2017 by Ford![Get Your Drift On; Ford Performance Offers World's First Electronic Handbrake](images/articleimages/ford-performance-electronic-handbrake1-400.jpg)
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For final sign-off, professional rally driver Ken Block was consulted on the Ford Performance Drift Stick. Noted for his viral Gymkhana videos, Block is one of the most prolific users of the hydraulic handbrake in rally cars. He pushed for the electronic handbrake to provide every-day drivers with the quickest possible way to get the Focus RS sideways for large-angle drifts. 'I think it's really cool that Ford Performance is offering customers a way to create large-angle drifts in the Focus RS. Obviously it's something that I'm really passionate about having been a part of the development of the production vehicle, so it's exciting to see it come to life,' said Ken Block. 'It definitely makes the car even more fun to drive.' Since a hydraulic handbrake would have required substantial modifications to the car that couldn't be easily reversed, the Ford Performance Drift Stick was developed as an entirely electronic technology. Once the wizardry began, a Ford Performance engineer noted the many similarities in its electronics with a part Ford already sells on a regular basis – the professional calibration tool. Integrating this existing technology resulted in easily plugging a USB cable into the Ford Performance Drift Stick to pull select diagnostic data and upload powertrain calibrations for the Focus RS. The digital design enables a number of key benefits: •Instantaneous engagement and release – just five to six pounds of pressure is required to operate the Ford Performance Drift Stick – significantly less than a hydraulic handbrake – for easy, precise use •Installation and removal is easy, as there is no welding, hole drilling or calipers as necessary in a hydraulic kit •It also connects to the onboard diagnostics port on the car, allowing it to function as a professional calibration tool Like the RS's exclusive drift mode, the Ford Performance Drift Stick is intended for track use only. It is available for customers in the United States and Canada, and priced at $999. The kit includes the Drift Stick lever, mounts and circuit board with professional calibration functionality. The car's warranty is unaffected by its installation. The Ford Performance Drift Stick will be available for order by Dec. 1 through authorized Ford Performance Parts distributors. Consumer information can be found at Ford Performance Parts, along with many other performance-enhancing parts for Ford cars and trucks.
posted on conceptcarz.com
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