FORD DEBUTS AT 2016 SEMA SHOW

ALL-NEW FORD PERFORMANCE APP AND GLOBAL MUSTANG GT4 RACE CAR

  • New Ford Performance smartphone app bringing track-based data-logging, advanced analysis, sharing capability and video capture to the most popular platforms
  • Race-prepped Mustang GT4 to provide customers around the world access to turn-key Mustang eligible for competition in several motorsports series
  • Ford to display more than 50 builder concepts at SEMA, including a host of winning race cars and a vast collection of Ford Performance Parts

LAS VEGAS, Nov. 1, 2016 – Ford Performance debuts an all-new data-logging app and a global turnkey Mustang GT4 race car today at the 2016 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show. Ford is also showcasing more than 50 builder concepts based on its vehicles and winning race cars, including the Le Mans-conquering Ford GT and a vast collection of Ford Performance Parts.

The all-new Ford Performance App® brings track-based data-logging, advanced analysis, sharing capability and video capture to a user’s smartphone. It leverages the latest capability of Ford SYNC® 3 and provides intuitive controls allowing users to record and share their track accomplishments. The app will be available for the most popular smartphone platforms in 2017.

“Ford Performance wants to provide our customers a simple, shareable way to capture their track exploits,” says Dave Pericak, global director, Ford Performance. “The ability to take their track sessions with them everywhere they go and easily share their footage and data with friends is a huge benefit of our new app.”

The Ford Performance App is based around the user’s smartphone, giving them easy access and portability to their data. Using a smartphone’s built-in camera offers mounting flexibility, letting users decide which perspective best captures the action.

The Ford Performance App features multiple recording modes and provides a host of vehicle performance data. The latest SYNC 3 technology communicates with the app – integrating performance data with course overlays, timing statistics, and on-screen virtual gauges to be shared via a user’s smartphone.

Data and video can be shared over social networks or exported easily for analysis on a personal computer. The new app launches in 2017 on the all-new Ford GT, and will migrate to other Ford products.

All-new Global Mustang GT4 racecar

The all-new Mustang GT4 turnkey race car builds on the legendary nameplate’s global reach. Mustang is one of the most prominent automobiles in the history of North American motorsports, including the SCCA Shelby GT350R of the 1960s, Trans-Am Boss 302 of the 1970s, the more recent FR500, Boss 302R and 2016 championship-winning Shelby GT350R-C. The all-new Mustang GT4 expands the pony’s stable to a global audience.

The car is based on the Shelby GT350R-C, which won its class this year in the IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge – its first full season of competition. Featuring a 5.2-liter V8 and six-speed Holinger paddle-shift transmission, the Mustang GT4 is ready to enter any GT4 series in the world. The car can run in the Grand Sport class of IMSA Continental Tire SportsCar Challenge, Pirelli World Challenge GTS and European GT4, to name a few.

The all-new Mustang GT4 features chassis mods from Multimatic Motorsports, including dampers, lower rear control arms and stabilizer bars. Forgeline 18- by 11-inch wheels with racing slicks put the power to the pavement. Aerodynamic aids are applied to improve downforce, including a rear wing, aggressive splitter, additional hood venting and new rear diffuser.

The interior includes a full FIA-compliant roll cage, and features motorsports engine control and an antilock-braking controller, along with a Motec dash logger.

“The new Mustang is a global vehicle,” says Mark Rushbrook, motorsports engineering manager, Ford Performance. “Now, its growing fan base has a GT4 competition model to race and support around the globe.”

FORD CELEBRATES SECOND CONSECUTIVE TRIO OF SEMA HOTTEST VEHICLE AWARDS

  • Ford Mustang, Ford Focus and Ford F-Series are officially Hottest Coupe, Hottest Hatch and Hottest Truck of this year’s Specialty Equipment Market Association show
  • A perennial favorite, the Ford Mustang takes honors again in the new Hottest Coupe category, succeeding four previous Hottest Car SEMA awards
  • America’s favorite truck, the Ford F-Series continues to dominate the competition, collecting the Hottest Truck award six out of the seven years it has been awarded
  • Ford Focus collects its second award, in the new Hottest Hatch category, on the heels of taking Hottest Sport-Compact last year

DEARBORN, Mich., Nov. 1, 2016 – Ford Mustang, Ford Focus and Ford F-Series are officially Hottest Coupe, Hottest Hatch and Hottest Truck of this year’s Specialty Equipment Market Association show. As if that isn’t impressive enough, all three are back-to-back award winners this year, the 50th anniversary of the SEMA show.

The awards recognize the most popular vehicles the organization’s members feature in their displays at the weeklong event. 2015 marked the first time any OEM won three of the coveted awards; this year marks the first time an OEM has repeated the feat.

“We are honored to take home three SEMA hottest vehicle awards for the second straight year,” says Dave Pericak, global director, Ford Performance. “Embracing the aftermarket industry is something we relish, and – with Mustang, Focus and F-Series being back-to-back winners – it appears the aftermarket appreciates our products as well.”

The Ford Mustang has been a SEMA favorite for years; winning its fifth consecutive SEMA award is powerful proof of the car’s enduring popularity with the vehicle customization market.

From street rods to super off-roaders, Ford F-Series has long been one of the best canvases for customization. Having won Hottest Truck six times out of the seven the award has been given demonstrates the versatility of America’s best-selling vehicle.

Ford Focus has gained recognition amongst the aftermarket crowd in recent years, particularly with the addition of the ST performance model. Last year, Focus captured its first SEMA hottest award in the Sport-Compact category. Now, with the hot RS model coming to North America, Focus is being honored as Hottest Hatch of the show.

“Ford is a great partner with the specialty equipment market, and the Mustang, Focus and F-Series trucks are terrific platforms for customization,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA President and CEO. “Through collaboration with Ford, the aftermarket industry has been able to provide consumers with countless products and options on ways to personalize their vehicles.”

Ford continues to have the largest OEM presence at SEMA this year, with more than 50 vehicles on display including a large collection of custom builds on the Ford stand and show floor. The Ford Out Front performance demonstration track enters its sixth year, and is one of the lead attractions of the 2016 show.

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