EDINBURGH, 4 November, 2017 - There was a double triumph for Ford at the Scottish Car of the Year 2017 awards, as new Ford Fiesta was crowned Best Supermini four months after going on sale, and the potent Ford Focus RS Mountune was declared Best Hot Hatch.
More than 4.5 million Brits have bought a new Fiesta since the original model premiered in 1976 – 500,000 of those in Scotland. All-new Fiesta in Zetec and Titanium series launched in early summer, followed by ST-Line and Vignale this month – with hot ST and rugged Active crossover due in 2018.
Stephen Park, Association of Scottish Motoring Writers president, said: “Superminis are increasingly offering the type of features and refinement once reserved for more expensive models. This year has seen new arrivals from numerous key players but it was the new Ford Fiesta, a new generation of a previous Scottish Car of the Year favourite, which wowed judges with its comfort, quality and driving dynamics.”
The Ford Focus RS Mountune has won Best Hot Hatch for 2017, with this year’s victory following Focus RS winning the same category in 2016.
Ford has taken almost 6,000 orders for the latest Focus RS, with the hatchback receiving numerous accolades. The model pioneers All-Wheel Drive with Dynamic Torque Vectoring, which enables higher levels of handling, grip and cornering speed.
The Ford Performance by Mountune upgrade boosts power by 25PS to 375PS and peak torque by 40Nm to 510Nm. This helps the Focus RS sprint from 0-62mph in just 4.5sec – faster than a Porsche 911 Carrera costing more than double.
Commenting on the victory, Stephen Park said: “The three top hot hatches to appear on Scottish roads within the last 12 months are all impressive but one kept our judges grinning longer than the rest. With four-wheel-drive and enthralling driver appeal, the addition of even more power put the Ford Focus RS with Mountune upgrade ahead of the pack.”
Ford sales manager in Scotland, Damien Phelan, said: “Our Scottish customers appreciate the style, value and technology offered by new Fiesta. Scotland also has sweeping roads and amazing scenery, made all the more enjoyable by the Focus RS – which Scots have certainly taken to heart.”
The Ford Fiesta is available from £13,165, while the Ford Performance by Mountune engine upgrade adds £899 to the £32,765 starting price of the Focus RS.
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About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is a global automotive and mobility company based in Dearborn, Michigan. With about 203,000 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 66,000 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 eight 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.
