Ford is making their burnout-inducing line-lock mode standard on all Mustangs for 2018. That means that four-cylinder EcoBoost models get the feature for the first time. To celebrate, Ford has added one of the greatest dashboard animations of all time.
That's because the Mustang gets a new dashboard too. The optional 12.0-inch all digital cluster gives Ford engineers lots of animation real estate to play with. So they have. Engage burnout mode and you get the world's first dashboard animation of a wheel and tire spinning and smoking. Sure beats the usual lane departure graphics.
Not just for creating copious amounts of tire smoke, line-lock has some real applications too. It was originally used by drag racers to lock and automatically hold the brakes of the car on the starting line, while the driver used the gas to keep rpm at the best spot for a perfect launch. Put it on just the front wheels and it's a great way to spin the rear tires while not wearing or fighting the rear brakes.
Ford's electronic system uses the braking system to build pressure in the front brakes. Press the right steering wheel button and it will hold the front brakes and lay rubber for up to 15 seconds.
Ford Mustang Mark Schaller gave what might be one of the best feature justifications of all time: "We introduced line-lock on EcoBoost Mustangs because we didn’t want those customers to miss out." That's right, Ford wants burnouts for everyone. Just don't do them near crowds.
The new cluster comes with the refreshed 2018 Mustang, due this fall. The revised car also gets new styling, a new 10-speed automatic, and more electronic safety gear like pre-collision braking with pedestrian detection.
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