Ford has extended it’s commitment to WRC with Ford Performance Support for the M-Sport Ford World Rally Team in 2018.

Today +Ford Motor Company announced a new agreement to supply extended technical and financial support to long-term motorsport partner +M-Sport – winner of the FIA World Rally Championship (WRC) Drivers’ and Manufacturers’ titles in 2017 with the EcoBoost-powered Ford Fiesta WRC.

Starting in 2018, the +M-Sport Ford World Rally Team led by Malcolm Wilson OBE – one of the most successful names in motorsport – and based at Dovenby Hall, Cockermouth, U.K., will benefit from additional technical support from the global Ford Performance organisation at Ford’s headquarters in Dearborn, U.S., led by Mark Rushbrook, global director of Motorsport.



The increased backing from Ford is a key driver in MSport’s retention of Sébastien Ogier – 2017 FIA WRC Drivers’ champion – for the 2018 season. Ogier and upcoming talent Elfyn Evans will lead the team, alongside their respective co-drivers Julien Ingrassia and Daniel Barritt, in the Ford Fiesta WRC.

Mark Rushbrook, global director of Motorsport

“Ford’s 20-year relationship with M-Sport has delivered unparalleled success at all levels of rallying, something we’re very proud of, and has also established Fiesta as the standard for rally competitors around the globe. Last year we supported M-Sport with the development of the all-new Fiesta that went on to campaign to an FIA championship win. For 2018, we’re excited to be able to provide even greater support.”

Ford has been a continuous partner with M-Sport since 1997. As the Ford-appointed specialist in rally-sport, M-Sport produces Ford vehicles for rally competition in several classes, from FIA R2 to the pinnacle in WRC. Almost 400 M-Sport developed Ford Fiestas are currently competing in rally-sport globally.


Malcolm Wilson OBE, M-Sport managing director.

“We’ve enjoyed a fantastic relationship with Ford over the years and it’s great to see that support increase as we look to defend our FIA World Rally Championship titles in 2018. In Sébastien and Elfyn we have another strong line up and the added technical support will allow us to progress the development of the Ford Fiesta WRC. The competition will be closer than ever but I’m confident that, together with the support of our partners, we can produce the same high levels of performance and reliability that delivered so much success in 2017.”

Powered by Ford’s 1.6-litre EcoBoost petrol engine, the Ford Fiesta WRC rally car is based on the all-new Fiesta, on sale across Europe in distinctive versions including the stylish Fiesta Titanium, the Ford Performance-inspired Fiesta ST-Line and the upscale Fiesta Vignale.

The all-new Fiesta ST – featuring a 200 PS 1.5-litre EcoBoost engine and Drive Modes – goes on sale in 2018.

Sami Oezberk, a young Ford engineer, is the third generation from his family to work on Fiesta production at the Niehl plant in Cologne, Germany.

“My grandfather, father and I have all worked on the production line and we have all seen how the line has changed over the years. My grandfather started here in 1964, back then it was a different time. Most of the work was very hands on but, even then, changes were coming. By the time Fiesta production started here in 1979, the plant was much more automated.”

In this video Sami explains how the plant has evolved since the 1960s and how manufacturing techniques have improved over the years.

“My grandfather, my father and I all have our own story to tell. For me this is more than just a job, it is my family.”

Do you have your own Ford story? Let us know in the comments!

After another year spent sampling the best cars money can buy at exotic locations around the world, the lucky petrol-heads at +Top Gear magazine have named their favourites from 2017.

Topping the list for thrills on the track is the Ford GT – winner of the BBC Top Gear Magazine Track Car of the Year Award.



The ultra-high-performance supercar has a top speed of 216 mph – fast enough to cover the length of a football pitch every second. The Ford GT even has a Track setting as one of its five Drive Modes, making it easier for thrill-seekers to get a glimpse of what it’s like to race the Le Mans-winning Ford GT race car, just like our Ford Chip Ganassi Racing drivers.

Earlier this year the Ford GT was taken on an epic road-trip across Norway, ending up setting a lap-record at the world’s most northernmost race track. +Top Gear also had fun exploring the supercar’s super-fast driving in their own film.

Charlie Turner, Top Gear editor in chief.

“Every single journey reminds you that this is a Le Mans winner with fewer stickers, a better paintjob and a radio."

And from supercars to superminis – Ford's all-new Fiesta has picked up the BBC Top Gear Magazine Supermini of the Year Award.


In 2018 +Ford Europe will introduce their fast Fiesta ST, with Drive Modes just like its bigger brother.

There's a lot that's new with the all-new Ford Fiesta so there have been a number of media drives across Europe where journalists can get some time with the Fiesta and get some time with Ford product experts.

The most recent gathering was in Slovenia known for its mountains and lakes.

This region of Slovenia is also famous for the Lipica horses and the Predjama Castle.

Which version of the new Fiesta was the biggest hit with the fashion conscious? Looks like the Fiesta Vignale might have been

The historic town of Piran was also a focal point of the media drive. In the pre-Roman era, the hills around Piran area were inhabited by farmers, hunters and fishermen. The port it'self was also frequented by pirates who disrupted Roman trade in the northern Adriatic.

Tartini Square is the largest and main square in the town of Piran, and was the location for some entertainment laid on for media.

The Fiesta has been a huge hit across Europe and the new Fiesta is even better!
 

If you'd like you can see all the images from the Fiesta media drive in Slovenia from +Ford Europe.

+Jonathan Humphrey and +Tim Barnes-Clay test out the All-New Ford Fiesta ST-Line in Spain for Drive.co.uk

Europe’s new top-selling car starts to roll off assembly line. The previous Fiesta was the best-selling car in Europe, according to +Ford Europe's analysis of March 2017 industry data and production of the all-new Fiesta has now begun at the plant in Cologne, Germany.

Jim Farley, executive vice president and president, Europe Middle East and Africa, Ford Motor Company.

“We have taken this iconic small car’s lovable, fun and sporty-to-drive character to the next level, with a greater choice of models than ever and with advanced technologies and features that small-car customers could only have dreamed of just a few years ago.”

Proud moment for 4.000 employees on the Fiesta line! First New #FordFiesta rolled off the line today @FordEu #Cologne plant pic.twitter.com/b5J0zfj7ch

— Michael Baumann (@maikl_builder) May 16, 2017

Ford is investing around €293 million in new production processes at its Cologne facility to build the car – already recognised as one of the world’s most efficient vehicle production plants – and where a new Fiesta will roll off the line every 68 seconds.



Fiesta highlights Ford’s derivative strategy, with sporty ST-Line versions, and sophisticated Vignale and Titanium variants available throughout Europe in the next few months – plus the Fiesta Active crossover and new Fiesta ST coming next year.