Ken Block and New Focus RS Team Up to Tackle Famous Goodwood Hillclimb 26.06.2015: - Ford GT Heads Performance Line-up • All-new Ford Focus RS makes global public dynamic debut tackling

- Ford GT Heads Performance Line-up

•    All-new Ford Focus RS makes global public dynamic debut tackling world famous Hillclimb at the 2015 Goodwood Festival of Speed

•    Ken Block - Gymkhana and World Rallycross star - showcases 350 PS performance in prototype Focus RS model

•    All-new Ford GT carbon fibre supercar has U.K. premiere alongside iconic Ford GT40 and 2005 Ford GT as part of three-level Ford Performance-themed show stand

•    Former Top Gear "Stig" Ben Collins drives limited production Shelby GT350R Mustang up Hillclimb; it will be the first time track-ready Shelby GT350R Mustang is seen in Europe

•    New Ford Focus ST returns to Goodwood following 2014 debut; all-new Ford Mustang and award-winning Fiesta ST also showcased



The all-new Ford Focus RS today made its dynamic debut at the 2015 Goodwood Festival of Speed with Gymkhana and World Rallycross star Ken Block demonstrating the ultra-hot hatchback's performance on the world-famous Hillclimb course. 


The all-new Focus RS will deliver 350 PS when it becomes available to European customers in early 2016, and is among Ford models starring at the three-level Ford Performance-themed stand at Goodwood from June 25-28.


"We promised enthusiasts a serious driving machine and, with 350 PS under the hood, that is exactly what we will deliver," said Dave Pericak, global director, Ford Performance. "And nowhere better to demonstrate for the first time the performance of the Focus RS than the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Performance fans from around the world get to see Ford's fastest cars from past and present doing what they do best up close and personal."


Ford is delivering the U.K. premiere of the all-new Ford GT supercar at Goodwood. Following the announcement that Ford will return to racing at 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2016, the company also is exhibiting the road-going version of the iconic Ford GT40 - a model that delivered an historic 1-2-3 at the 1966 running of the race. In addition, the 2005 Ford GT supercar is on display.


Racing driver Ben Collins - formerly "The Stig" on the BBC's "Top Gear" - will drive a limited production U.S.-specification Shelby GT350R Mustang up the Goodwood Hillclimb, the first time ever the GT350R has been seen in Europe. Ford heritage rally- and race-bred RS200 and Sierra RS Cosworth vehicles also will tackle the 1.16 mile (1.86 kilometre) course.


Visitors to the Ford Performance-themed stand will discover further models including the new Focus ST, which last year made its global public debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed; the all-new Ford Mustang; and the multi-award-winning Fiesta ST.


Visitors to the Ford stand also will be able to take in one of the finest views of the festival from the roof terrace; ride the Ford Performance slides from the upper to ground levels; and test their strength with the Ford Performance Power Hammer to discover whether they are a match for ST, RS or GT. Ford has been a main sponsor and supporter of the Goodwood Festival of Speed since its inception over 20 years ago.



Focus RS in action


All-new Focus RS development consultant Ken Block - whose Gymkhana driving videos have attracted more than 300 million views - will demonstrate the model's performance using a prototype version at the event.


"I'm excited to get back behind the wheel of the new Focus RS," said Block. "I've had so much fun helping Ford develop this next generation of ultimate hot hatch and I'm stoked about the thought of blasting up Lord March's Hillclimb with 350 PS and all-wheel drive at my disposal."


The Focus RS pioneers innovative Ford Performance All-Wheel Drive with Dynamic Torque Vectoring for a new level of handling, grip and cornering speed. Selectable Drive Modes - including an industry-first Drift Mode that allows controlled oversteer drifts - and Launch Control feature on the RS model for the first time.



Ford GT breaks cover in the U.K.


The Ford GT is an ultra-high-performance supercar that serves as a technology showcase for Ford EcoBoost performance and innovations in aerodynamics and lightweight carbon fibre construction.


The model is propelled by the most powerful Ford EcoBoost production engine ever - producing more than 600 horsepower and demonstrating remarkable efficiency - paired with a seven-speed paddle-shift transmission.


GT acceleration, handling, braking, safety and efficiency are optimised through the use of advanced lightweight composites including a carbon fibre passenger cell and body panels, and aluminium front and rear suspension architectures.


Drag is minimised and downforce increased with a tear-drop shaped body featuring active aerodynamics. The state-of-the-art Ford GT chassis features an active racing-style torsion bar and pushrod suspension, with adjustable ride height, and carbon-ceramic brake discs. The new GT will be one of the most exclusive Ford vehicles ever with limited volume sold around the world.


"The GT is the ultimate execution of an enthusiast supercar," Pericak said. "GT includes innovations and technologies that can be applied broadly across Ford's future product portfolio - another proof point that Ford continues raising the performance bar while ultimately improving vehicles for all of our customers."



Exciting performance car line-up


The new Ford Focus ST mixes performance with practicality; available in five-door and wagon bodystyles and with a new 185 PS 2.0-litre diesel engine that delivers 400 Nm of torque from 2,000-2,750 rpm alongside the proven 250 PS 2.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engine.


Now on sale across Europe for the first time in more than 50 years, the all-new Ford Mustang fastback and convertible models deliver world-class levels of performance and refinement, powered by a choice of 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine, or a 5.0 litre V8 that reaches 100 km/h (62 mph) from a standing start in 4.8 seconds.


Introduced in early 2013, the Fiesta ST quickly established itself as the leading small performance hatchback in Europe and around the world, with more than 20 awards and accolades within its first year on sale


The Shelby GT350R Mustang is the most track-ready road-going production Mustang ever built and makes its first appearance in Europe at the Goodwood Festival of speed driven by Ben Collins.


Exclusively for sale in the U.S. and Canada, the limited production Shelby GT350R Mustang features the most powerful naturally aspirated production Ford engine ever - with 526 horsepower - and makes Ford the first major automaker to introduce lightweight carbon fibre wheels as standard equipment.




Minesh Bhagaloo - photo Ford