FORD has come under fire from road safety experts after releasing a car with a Fast and Furious style “drift” mode that enables unskilled drivers to “drive like hooligan” using the car’s sophisticated electronics systems.

At the press of a button in the new Ford Focus RS, drivers can perform a perfect “drift” (a sideways four-wheel skid) providing they floor the throttle and turn the steering wheel.

Ben Collins, formerly the professional driver behind The Stig in a white suit on Top Gear, says you can drive it “like a hooligan” once in the special driving mode.

However, drifting is so dangerous that police in most states have the power to confiscate the car and instantly ban the driver for six to 12 months, depending on the jurisdiction.

Safety experts are furious because there is nothing stopping the so-called “drift” mode from being used on public roads.

Ford disabled the “burnout” mode on the Mustang in Australia but has left the latest hoon mode active in the new Ford Focus RS, a $50,000 high performance hatchback that went on sale across Australia today.

The world-first technology was inspired by YouTube hero and professional rally driver Ken Block, as well as movies such as The Fast and The Furious.

A statement from Ford said: “Drift mode is targeted for track use only — a disclaimer appears on (the instrument) cluster when switching modes. We believe the drift and track modes are appropriate for racetracks, and that typical Focus RS customers will understand the need to deploy these features under controlled and safe conditions such as during a track day.”

Road safety campaigner Harold Scruby said he is “absolutely stunned” the technology was approved for use in Australia.

“A disclaimer is not going to stop an idiot from trying this on public roads,” said Mr Scruby, the head of the Pedestrian Council of Australia.

“We urge Ford to reconsider its decision, recall these vehicles and disable this driving mode,” said Mr Scruby.

“Ford cannot absolve itself from its duty of care to road users and its customers with a disclaimer in the dashboard.”

Jack Haley, senior policy manager at the National Roads and Motorists’ Association warned: “Any sustained loss of traction on public roads is illegal.”

When asked why the “burnout” mode was disabled on the Mustang but drift mode is active on the Focus RS, a Ford Australia spokeswoman said: “We do not offer line lock because burnouts are illegal in Australia”.

However, drifting is covered under the same traffic offence as burnouts in most states and can also lead to the confiscation of the car.

The controversial Ford hatchback goes on sale as the road toll in Australia continues to climb after a hitting 90-year low two years ago.

Road deaths in the 12 months to the end of May, the most recent national data, show the toll has increased by 9.8 per cent, with 1275 fatalities.

So far this year, road deaths are up by 14.6 per cent nationally to the end of May, with 551 fatalities.

Former president of the Australian Medical Association, Professor Brian Owler, said: “They’re obviously marketing the car to young people who are interested in that type of driving. The problem is most people don’t have access to a race track. Without a race track it’s inherently dangerous.”