Nowadays, drifting sportscars and supercars isn’t as easy as it used to be. That’s because, as suspension and tire technology evolve, the levels of grip reach monstrous values. So while action movies may trick you into believing powersliding at insane slip angles is easy, that’s actually a very difficult task. We are here to show you how grip is lost and found. In slow motion.
Mind you, the action takes place on the track and even so, only a part of the drivers manage to bring their cars into the full sideways attack mode. This drifting adventure kicks off violently, with a BMW M4 putting its electronically controlled multi-plate limited-slip diff to work.
This is perhaps the best example of the lot - while the M4 does unleash all 430 hp onto its rear wheels and spends a bit of time in full opposite lock land, the drift still doesn’t match some of the augmented stunts we see in car movies. The slide is impressive nonetheless, as is the smooth smokey transition back onto the grip.
We also get two Porsche 911 997 examples - The rear-mounted engines of the Porsches mean the transition on and off the grip can be made quicker, as the “pendulum” rushes the sideways movement of the rear end, but we have to keep in mind how tricky such activities are. You can see the Porsches’ tires abruptly return to grip.
The microscopic slide of the McLaren P1 demonstrates that hypercars aren’t exactly the machines of choice when it comes to such shenanigans. Regardless of that, while the P1 is capable of greater slip angles, its electronics are usually not that keen on allowing this.
An American car couldn’t miss from this collection, simply because US creations are the most tail-happy of the lot. To be more specific, American performance models are generally easier to persuade to let their backs out, which means such activities come easier. Case in point with the C6 Corvette we see here, a modded one that is. Actually, you can see the driver overfeeding the rear wheels with power as he dips his toe into oversteer.
Oh and yes, there’s a Megane RS somewhere in there, but its FWD Nurburgring record isn’t worth too much here.
In his quest to bring you the most impressive automotive creations, Andrei relies on learning as a superpower. There's quite a bit of room in the garage that is this aficionado's heart, so factory-condition classics and widebody contraptions with turbos poking through the hood can peacefully coexist. Full profile
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