Ford Geneva Overview Of Hot-Selling Performance Line-Up And Heritage At Show

March 6, 2017 by Ford

◾Next-gen Ford Fiesta ST – featuring all-new 200PS, three-cylinder 1.5-litre EcoBoost engine – makes global debut as Ford showcases Ford Performance line-up at Geneva

◾Ford GT '66 Heritage Edition supercar livery on show for the first time in Europe. Ford GT race car set for return to Le Mans 24 Hours in 2017 following historic victory in 2016

◾European performance car sales including Ford Mustang, Focus RS, Focus ST and Fiesta ST grew 60 per cent to 43,800 last year

◾Ford celebrates connection between motorsports and accessible performance heritage in Geneva with iconic vehicles including 1966 Le Mans-winning Ford GT40

GENEVA, 6 March, 2017 – Ford today delivered its most exciting and comprehensive line-up of Ford Performance models ever.

Introducing an all-new 200 PS, three-cylinder 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol engine that will deliver an unprecedented combination of power and fuel efficiency, the next generation Fiesta ST is developed using the same Ford Performance innovation mindset that delivered the Ford GT ultra-high-performance supercar, on show in Ford GT '66 Heritage Edition livery for the first time in Europe at the Geneva Show.

Ford's performance car offering in Europe also includes the Focus ST petrol and diesel models, the acclaimed Focus RS, and the iconic Ford Mustang. Ford performance car sales grew a further 14 per cent year-on-year in January, after recording a 60 per cent increase in 2016 – continuing the momentum from 2015 when performance car sales were up 62 per cent.

'Accessible performance is at the heart of what we do at Ford,' said Jim Farley, European chairman and CEO. 'From the active aerodynamics of the Ford GT supercar to the Drive Modes of our next generation Fiesta ST, our Ford Performance models are developed using innovation that brings the driving thrill of our race cars to customers on the road.'

Ford Performance serves as an innovation laboratory and test-bed to create unique performance vehicles, parts, accessories and experiences for customers. This includes developing innovations and technologies in aerodynamics, light-weighting, electronics, powertrain performance and fuel efficiency that can be applied more broadly to Ford products.

Next generation Fiesta ST

The third generation of Fiesta ST will be the first Ford Performance model ever powered by a three-cylinder engine and the first Fiesta ST to feature selectable Drive Modes.

Ford's all-new 1.5-litre EcoBoost petrol engine will deliver 200PS, 290Nm of torque and anticipated 0-62mph acceleration in 6.7sec, using innovations including a new combination of port fuel injection and direct fuel injection, sophisticated turbocharging, and innovative new cylinder deactivation technology to deliver high power and responsiveness alongside reduced CO2 emissions.*

New Drive Modes will enable engine, steering and stability controls to be configured to Normal, Sport and Track settings for an optimised fun-to-drive experience, and adjust the model's Electronic Sound Enhancement technology and active exhaust noise control valve to deliver an even more satisfying driving experience by amplifying the naturally sporty sound of the three-cylinder engine.

'Our next generation Fiesta ST is true to the philosophy of delivering cutting-edge technology to enhance every facet of the responsive Ford Performance chassis and powertrain,' said Joe Bakaj, European Product Development vice president. 'With selectable Drive Modes and an all-new EcoBoost engine delivering an unprecedented combination of performance and fuel-efficiency, the new model will deliver the most versatile fun, engaging and rewarding Fiesta ST driving experience yet.'

The next generation Fiesta ST also will be offered with a greater variety of interior trim and personalisation options than ever before, and will be available in both three-door and five-door bodystyles from early 2018.

Ford GT road and race cars

The Ford GT is shown in limited edition Ford GT '66 Heritage Edition livery in Geneva. The model honours Ford's 1966 Le Mans victory, offering a Shadow Black exterior in either gloss or matte finish with silver stripes and exposed carbon fibre; Frozen White #2 hood and door graphics; and 20-inch one-piece forged aluminium wheels in a gold satin clearcoat with black lug nuts.

All Ford GT supercars feature a state-of-the-art 10-inch digital instrument display. The customisable screen features text and race-inspired graphics intended to help reduce driver distraction, and automatically reconfigures itself based on five unique Drive Modes: Normal mode, Wet mode, Sport mode, Track mode and V-Max mode.

The Ford GT's 3.5-litre V6 EcoBoost engine is SAE rated at 647hp and 550lb per ft of torque in U.S. specification. A top speed of 216mph makes the Ford GT the fastest Ford production vehicle on the track ever. The road-going Ford GT – featuring carbon fibre architecture and active aerodynamics – reflects the performance of the 2016 Le Mans 24 Hours-winning Ford Chip Ganassi Racing Ford GT race car, also on display in Geneva.

Ford made an historic return to Le Mans last year, taking victory in the LM GTE Pro class with the Ford GT race car – exactly 50 years after recording a 1-2-3 clean sweep at the 1966 race – and earlier this year announced four Ford GTs will compete at the 2017 Le Mans 24 Hours, June 17-18.

Ford and The LEGO® Group have joined forces to offer the 2016 Ford GT and 1966 Ford GT40 race cars as part of the exclusive LEGO® Speed Champions range of models, featuring iconic high performance road and racing cars.

Ford's motorsport heritage

Performance and racing are deeply embedded in Ford's DNA, dating back 116 years when Henry Ford won the Sweepstakes Race with his '999' race car, defeating Alexander Winton – at the time America's greatest racer.

Ford is showcasing more than five decades of the company's motorsports and performance history in Geneva with vehicles from the Ford Heritage Collection including:

◾A replica of the 1966 Ford GT40 Mk2 race car – powered by a 7.0-litre V8 engine – driven to victory by Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon at the 1966 Le Mans 24 Hours

◾A replica of the 1970 London to Mexico World Cup Rally-winning Ford Escort Mk1, rebuilt with a 1.8-litre Ford Cosworth BDA engine delivering approximately 200 PS, and driven to victory in a 1995 re-run of the iconic 1970 rally by the original winning team of Hannu Mikkola and co-driver Gunnar Palm

◾A 1992 Ford Escort RS Cosworth homologated road car version of the Ford Escort World Rally Championship Group A rally car, featuring a 230 PS 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine and four-wheel drive

Ford this year also celebrates 50 years since the introduction of the Ford Cosworth DFV (double-four-valve) V8 racing engine that delivered 155 race wins and 12 driver's titles in Formula 1 racing across 15 years, and two victories at the Le Mans 24 Hours – including for the 1975 Mirage GR8 race car on show in Geneva.

Light, compact and powerful – the all-aluminium, 3.0-litre engine was designed to function as part of a race car's chassis, featured four valves per cylinder and two camshafts per cylinder bank.

The spirit of innovation that delivered the Ford Cosworth DFV engine is reflected 50 years later in Ford's EcoBoost engines – from the all-new new three-cylinder 1.5-litre EcoBoost to the twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 EcoBoost engine that powered the Ford GT race car to victory at Le Mans in 2016.

'Motorsport has always been a driver of innovation at Ford,' said Dave Pericak, Ford Performance global director. 'Today, our global Ford Performance team is responsible for developing vehicles from the Ford GT race car to the next generation Fiesta ST. Working as one unified team helps us better deliver our core fun-to-drive experience and democratise sophisticated performance-enhancing features for every customer.'

*Confirmed Fuel/Energy Consumptions and CO2 emissions data are not yet available for this model. Fuel/Energy Consumptions, CO2 emissions and electric range are measured according to the technical requirements and specifications of the European Regulations (EC) 715/2007 and (EC) 692/2008 as last amended. Fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are specified for a vehicle variant and not for a single car. The applied standard test procedure enables comparison between different vehicle types and different manufacturers. In addition to the fuel efficiency of a car, driving behaviour as well as other non-technical factors play a role in determining a car's fuel/energy consumption, CO2 emissions and electric range. CO2 is the main greenhouse gas responsible for global warming

About Ford Motor Company

Ford Motor Company is a global automotive and mobility company based in Dearborn, Michigan. With about 201,000 employees and 62 plants worldwide, the company's core business includes designing, manufacturing, marketing and servicing a full line of Ford cars, trucks and SUVs, as well as Lincoln luxury vehicles. To expand its business model, Ford is aggressively pursuing emerging opportunities with investments in electrification, autonomy and mobility. Ford provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products and services, please visit www.corporate.ford.com.

Ford of Europe is responsible for producing, selling and servicing Ford brand vehicles in 50 individual markets and employs approximately 52,000 employees at its wholly owned facilities and approximately 68,000 people when joint ventures and unconsolidated businesses are included. In addition to Ford Motor Credit Company, Ford Europe operations include Ford Customer Service Division and 24 manufacturing facilities (16 wholly owned or consolidated joint venture facilities and 8 unconsolidated joint venture facilities). The first Ford cars were shipped to Europe in 1903 – the same year Ford Motor Company was founded. European production started in 1911.

Photo credit: Ford
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