Burnouts for All: 2018 Ford Mustang EcoBoost Gets Line-Lock Feature

Ford is spreading the burnout love by bringing its electronic line-lock feature to the 2.3-liter EcoBoost Mustang. The track-only feature will now be standard on all 2018 models.

The feature was previously only available on the GT and GT350. Line-lock holds the front brakes for up to 15 seconds, allowing a driver to spin the rear wheels in place. The feature was added so drag racers could warm up the tires before a pass, but is probably more often used for gross displays of horsepower in secluded parking lots – behavior Ford definitely does not encourage (wink wink). Line-lock is available with either the six-speed manual or the new 10-speed automatic transmission, and is activated using steering wheel-mounted thumb switches. Once it’s engaged, drivers of Mustangs equipped with the available 12-inch digital instrument display will see an animation of a spinning wheel creating billows of smoke in the gauge cluster.

Ford hasn’t announced power outputs for the revised 2018 Mustangs, but both engines are expected to receive gains. The GT’s 5.0-liter V-8 currently makes 435 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque, but it could get a significant bump with the addition of direct and port injection. The GT also gets an active-valve exhaust for a throatier V-8 sound. The 2.3-liter EcoBoost currently makes 310 hp and 320 lb-ft, which is plenty to break the tires loose, but Ford says we can expect even better torque delivery with the new 10-speed automatic.

To celebrate the EcoBoost’s new line-lock feature, Ford enlisted the help of Formula Drift champ Vaughn Gittin Jr. to share the joy of doing burnouts with strangers on the street. Check out the video below.

Source: Ford

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