Newsbrief from Ford today announcing the 2015 Ford Focus ST! This hot hatch is highly anticipated and the first glimpse of the new model will be Friday June 27th at the Goodwood Festival of Speed — when the ST will head up the hill in a real-time race versus players driving the 2015 ST in Gran Turismo 6.
Pretty cool!
UPDATE- The latest Focus ST photos show an evolutionary design outside, with subtle tweaks like a thinner grille and even a thinner ST badge lettering putting the emphasis on refined and lightweight dynamics.
Inside, the 2015 ST shows a much larger infotainment screen and a simplified control knob interface. Overall graphics and capabilities are set to take a huge leap forward.
Power and specs-wise, the full details are not yet available… But 280 horsepower seems like a solid bet to increase performance and quicken sprint speeds slightly.
The latest Focus ST has similar LED headlight accents as the regular Focus, and they are illuminated here in an exclusive rendering.
2015 Ford Focus ST LED
Jun 23, 2014 | GOODWOOD, U.K.
New Ford Focus ST Global Reveal at Goodwood Festival of Speed; New Mustang Also Debuts on Famous Hill Climb
- Ford premieres new Focus ST at Goodwood Festival of Speed in United Kingdom, June 27
- New Focus ST makes debut on world-famous hill climb; Ford and Sony Computer Entertainment stage first “virtual versus real” race at Goodwood – with Gran Turismo®6 gamers going head-to-head with actual drivers of Focus ST
- New Ford Mustang makes first dynamic driving appearance in Europe
The new Ford Focus ST will make its global debut at Goodwood Festival of Speed in the United Kingdom, June 27. Ford’s new performance model headlines the First Glance category, with professional drivers showcasing the car’s abilities on the world-famous hill climb on all three days of the event.
Benefiting from technology and quality improvements revealed earlier this year for the new Ford Focus, Focus ST will be displayed on the Ford stand at Goodwood. First launched in 2002, Focus ST has now seen sales of more than 140,000 units in more than 40 countries.
Ford also is teaming up with Sony Computer Entertainment to stage the first-ever “virtual versus real” race on the hill. On its first run each day, the new Focus ST will compete in real time against the Focus ST featured in the Gran Turismo®6 game for PlayStation®3.
A designated gamer at the Ford stand will match skills against Ben Collins – formerly The Stig of Top Gear – with the action displayed on big screens throughout the festival. Visitors to the Ford stand also have the chance to record their own times on the Gran Turismo 6 simulators.
Also starring at Goodwood will be the all-new Ford Mustang that makes its first U.K. appearance. A 5.0-liter V8 fastback will take part in the Supercar Class, with Ford Team RS vehicle dynamics specialist David Put at the wheel. Ford also will display a Mustang convertible.
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 183,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit www.corporate.ford.com.
Ford of Europe
Ford of Europe is responsible for producing, selling and servicing Ford brand vehicles in 50 individual markets and employs approximately 50,000 employees at its wholly owned facilities and approximately 69,000 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 (13 wholly owned or consolidated joint venture facilities and 11 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.
About Gran Turismo®6
Gran Turismo®6 ©2014 Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Published by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. Developed by Polyphony Digital Inc. “Polyphony Digital logo,” “Gran Turismo” and “GT” are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Manufacturers, cars, names, brands and associated imagery featured in this game in some cases include trademarks and/or copyrighted materials of their respective owners. Any depiction or recreation of real world locations, entities, businesses, or organisations is not intended to be or imply any sponsorship or endorsement of this game by such party or parties. All rights reserved.
Tom Burkart is the founder and managing editor of Car-Revs-Daily.com, an innovative and rapidly-expanding automotive news magazine.
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