The new Ford Mustang has a uniquely South African feature

The new Ford Mustang is arriving in South Africa in November with a unique feature that is perfect for our local roads.

The feature in question is Active Pothole Mitigation (APM).

You’ve experienced it. I’ve experienced it. We’ve all experienced it. You’re happily driving chatting to friends and family or listening music, and all of a sudden a massive hole appears in the tarmac in front.

It’s too late to brake, it’s dangerous to swerve, so you slow down as much as you can and brace for impact. You feel a shockwave emanating through your beloved ride, and the happy atmosphere that was hanging around just five seconds ago is left behind in the pothole along with shreds of expensive tyre.

Potholes have become a part of our everyday life here in South Africa just like rugby and braai, and while Ford may not have designed APM just for us, it will certainly be welcomed by those who have the R1.3 million to spend on the new American muscle car.

Actively saving you money

So how does this magical tyre-saving tech work, you may ask?

Well, APM is included in the Performance Package that will be equipped to all new-gen Mustangs delivered to the country.

Not only does the Performance Package bring goodies such as a front suspension tower brace, Torsen limited-slip differential, wider rear wheels, and massive Brembo brakes, but also the all-important updated MagneRide active suspension system which is vital for the pothole-mitigation feature.

Through MagneRide, the APM system continually monitors suspension, body, steering, and braking inputs, taking readings of these parameters exactly 1,000 times per second.

If it senses sporadic behaviours in these areas it assumes a pothole is coming and tightens up the suspension so as to stop the wheel from dropping into the pothole.

While APM unfortunately does not evade the potholes completely, it will certainly contribute to lessening the harsh impact these hazards can have on your car, and in turn lead to fewer costly repairs and replacements.