Is the Karin Sultan a Good Drift Car in GTA Online? An In-Depth Guide

Hey there! Drifting is one of the coolest styles of performance driving, requiring immense vehicle control and finesse from the driver. In GTA Online, the customizable Karin Sultan is a very capable machine for mastering this demanding technique.

Let‘s take an in-depth look at everything that makes the Sultan an excellent drift platform, from its performance specs to the best setup and mastering advanced drifting skills. Buckle up – we‘re going sideways!

Drifting 101

For those new to the art, drifting involves intentionally oversteering through corners, maintaining a sustained slide by countersteering and feathering the throttle. Originating in Japan‘s illegal street racing scene in the 1960s, drift competitions judge drivers on speed, angle and line taken through a course.

Ideal drift cars have balanced chassis, moderate power and snappy steering that allows quick transitions from drift to drift. Let‘s see how the Sultan stacks up.

Sultan Specs and Handling

Even in stock form, the AWD Sultan RS shows promise as a drift machine with 385hp turbocharged power and a well-balanced 48/52 weight distribution. Lowering the suspension to the minimum and installing a proper sports differential, drift tires and tuned gear ratios unlocks its full drifting potential.

Here are the specs to aim for when tuning your Sultan RS for drift:

Kerb Weight: 3200 lbs 
Power: 520hp 
Drivetrain: AWD
Weight Distribution: 46/54 F/R
Suspension: Lowered, stiffened anti-roll bars  
Tires: Sports or drift tires
Gear Ratios: Shortened for fast acceleration

These mods allow powerful controlled oversteer while maintaining stability. The Sultan‘s responsive steering (2.4 turns lock-to-lock), firm suspension and turbo power delivery give it the ingredients for high-angle power slides.

Recommended Tuning Upgrades

To hit that sweet spot for competitive drifting, here are the upgrades I recommend:

Engine: 6.0L V16 with sports camshaft, performance valves, competition intake and fuel systems and tuner ECU bumping output over 500hp.

Drivetrain: 6-speed quickshift transmission, sports differential for rear bias, shortened gear ratios. Consider a hydraulic handbrake for initiating drifts.

Handling: Lower on sports suspension, max anti-roll bars stiffness, drift tires at minimum pressure for reduced grip.

Brakes: Race brakes to control speed in transitions.

Body: Lightweight parts like carbon panels, trunk and hood. Remove unused seats.

Advanced Drift Setup

For advanced drift enthusiasts, further tuning like adjusting the car‘s ackerman angle can provide sharper turn-in response. Softening front dampers versus the rear is another technique used to maintain oversteer in transitions.

I recommend consulting real-world professional drifters known for their Sultan mastery when dialing in an ultra-responsive drift machine. Legendary slider Teckademics says the Sultan "just needs a proper diff, coilovers and some tyre smoke to make it shine.”

Drift Techniques to Master

Now let‘s get into drifting techniques to master in your freshly tuned Sultan RS.

Initiating the drift: Use the handbrake to upset weight balance and cause the rear to step out. Power oversteer or Scandinavian flicks are other ways to initiate drifts.

Controlling the slide: Countersteer smoothly to find the sweet spot where the car maintains a sideways angle. Feather the throttle to modulate wheel spin – too much and you‘ll spin out, too little and you‘ll lose momentum.

Transitioning: Flick the car back the opposite direction using inertia, then countersteer. Use the brakes to transfer weight forward and allow the rear to swing out.

Mastering transitions between high-speed drifts is critical for chaining together huge scores. Other advanced techniques like feint drifting and clutch kicking take loads of practice. Having an expert instructor helps shorten the learning curve.

Ideal Locations to Practice Drifting

When you‘re ready to test out your new drift skills, here are some ideal spots:

• The long curved highway around Mount Chiliad
• The underground parking garage downtown with smooth concrete and pillars
• Los Santos Storm Drain for flowing drift lines
• The Circle at Mirror Park for laps of uninterrupted oversteer

Drift mode events are another great way to put your tuned Sultan to the test on closed courses designed specifically for scoring points.

How Does it Compare?

So how does a properly set up Sultan RS stack up against other fan favorite drift cars like the Futo GTX and 350z? Here‘s a comparison:

While not the most powerful, the balanced Sultan has plenty of grunt to kick the rear out on command. Its predictable oversteer makes it easier to control than more challenging cars like the Banshee 900R.

Real World Inspiration

The Sultan was heavily inspired by real-world 1990s sport compacts popular in drifting like the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, Subaru Impreza WRX STI and Nissan Skyline GT-R. Famous for AWD drifting, these turbocharged Japanese street racers showcase the Sultan‘s roots.

Other RWD classics like the BMW E36, Nissan 350Z and Mazda RX-7 have become drifting icons thanks to their balanced chassis and high revving engines, much like the Sultan Classic. The Sultan has clearly inherited great drift DNA!

Verdict: One of the Best

After breaking down its performance, tuning potential, handling balance and accessibility for beginners, I can conclude the customizable Sultan is easily among the top tier drift cars available in GTA Online.

While it takes practice to master its tail-happy attitude, upgrades like suspension, tires and drivetrain mods allow even novice drifters to achieve smooth, high-scoring slides. The Sultan has certainly earned its reputation as a drifting beast in Los Santos.

Thanks for reading! I hope this guide gives you the tools and knowledge to build an awesome drift Sultan and shred those rear tires in style. Now get out there and start practicing those flawless high-angle drifts!