Top 7 best cars for drifting 2023

best cars for drifting: Drifting is one of the most incendiary disciplines of motorsport. And one of the most democratic. But, as always, there is not enough room at the top for everyone. We offer our selection of top drift cars

What is Drift

Drifting (drifting) is a motorsport discipline in which pilots compete on winding roads in the ability to quickly drive a car in a controlled skid. It is believed that drifting originated among the youth of Japan in the 1970s, although Enzo Ferrari called the founder of this style the great racer Tazio Nuvolari, who practiced drifting in the first half of the 20th century.

Today, drifting is a global phenomenon. Amateur and professional level competitions are held both in the warm season and in winter.

Drift car design requirements

Drift cars have two key requirements:

the ability to easily enter turns and skid;
ability to maintain control at high speed.

From a technical point of view, this is provided by:

selection of the optimal type of drive. Rear axle drive is considered a classic. Drifting on a full drive requires more serious professional skills. The least effective for drifting is front-wheel drive, which involves the active and competent use of the handbrake;

a high torque motor that usually goes in tandem with a lot of power. A common choice for professional drift cars is a turbo engine. At the same time, the internal combustion engine that gives all the best must be reliable and, in particular, withstand high temperatures;

blocking of the cross-axle differential (often it is simply welded) – it helps to realize the traction capabilities of the engine when unloading in the turn of one of the drive wheels;

front-engine vehicle layout. Loaded steerable front wheels have better grip, which allows you to more accurately control the car;

long wheelbase. Thanks to it, it is easier to control the car with a sharp change in skid directions;

low ground clearance. The low center of gravity also improves handling. That is why top drift cars come from sports sedans or coupes;

low vehicle weight. A light car is more likely to skid. In this regard, when preparing a drift car, many minor structural elements are removed or replaced with analogues from such lightweight materials as fiberglass or carbon fiber;

optimal weight distribution along the axes (40:60% for rear-wheel drive models);

stiff enough to reduce rolls of the suspension;

not afraid of high loads enduring brake system with large diameter ventilated discs, reinforced hoses, using high-quality synthetic brake fluid;

wear-resistant tires;

a low location of a fairly rigid pilot’s seat with developed lateral support. This “seat” allows you to better feel the car.
Finally, to ensure safety, a six-point frame is installed in the cabin of the best cars for drifting.

Drift car rating

With a limited budget for a best cars for drifting, you can use the VAZ classic or the rear-wheel drive Ford Sierra that has changed its fourth decade as a drift car. Ordinary front-wheel drive with sufficiently powerful engines can also be a pleasure, especially on a slippery track, and with plywood placed under the locked rear wheels, even on dry pavement. But if we talk about the big leagues, then, of course, there will be a fair number of Japanese models, sometimes designed specifically with an eye on drifting.