2015 Ford Focus ST zooming toward Goodwood reveal [w/video]

Mon, 23 Jun 2014

Ford has quite a party ready for the Goodwood Festival of Speed starting on June 27. Not only is the 2015 Mustang going to be driving in front of the European public for the first time, the Blue Oval is also unveiling its 2015 refresh for the Focus ST.

Official details about the latest Focus hot hatch are practically nonexistent at this point. Ford's teaser image shows narrower headlights, and the company says that the ST also benefits from the technical and quality improvements from the refreshed standard model, which likely means an even more Aston-Martin-like grille. However, any improvements for the power or handling are a mystery for now.

Ford will even give visitors to the festival the chance to drive the new ST – at least virtually. Gran Turismo 6 kiosks will be on hand with the hot hatch loaded up to race the Goodwood Hill Climb. There will also be real-time races between former Stig Ben Collins in the real ST challenging a player up the hill in the game.

There will be at least two, new Mustangs there as well for the British crowds to check out. A 5.0-liter coupe will challenge the Goodwood Hill, and a convertible will also be on display. Scroll down to watch a brief, teaser video of the 2015 Focus ST testing and read the full release about Ford's plans for the fest.

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

GOODWOOD, U.K., June 23, 2014 – 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.

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By Chris Bruce