There are so many features to get excited about on the upcoming 2016 Ford Focus RS that it’s hard to pick one that would be our favorite. Of particular interest to all Ford performance fanatics though has to be the briefly-mentioned “Drift Mode” that somehow turns the all-wheel drive RS into a sideways-skidding machine. But how?

EVO Magazine had the same question, sitting down with Ray Kuczera, GKN’s vice president of global product technology to get the lowdown on the company’s twin-clutch four-wheel drive system specially made for the Focus RS. While the system is already used on the Range Rover Evoque, the demands of a 345 horsepower hot-hatch meant extensive modifications were necessary.

Two independently-controlled clutch packs on both sides of the Rear Drive Unit can send up to 70% of the total power to the rear wheels, and 100% of that power can be sent to either wheel via a second clutch pack. This completely eliminates the need for a rear differential, with the system relying entirely instead on the twin clutch packs.

In Drift Mode, the torque vectoring system mets out most of the power to the outside wheels, specifically the rear outside wheel. Using a cadre of sensors, the Focus RS can sense your intent, applying the perfect amount of torque to get the hatchback sideways at your leisure. However, it works with the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and ABS systems to keep the driver in control at all times. We’re not all Ken Block, after all.

Once not even considered much of a motorsport at all, drifting has come so far that it not warrants a dedicated driving mode on one of the most anticipated performance vehicles of the year. We can’t wait for a chance to test it out ourselves.