So lets do another deep-dive into a manufacturer …this time one which is pretty well-represented in the game, but with a few 'gaps' in the range:
FORD (Europe)Love a Ford. My family have an extensive history with them and up till 2020 I was the only guy not to have owned one. Currently running a 2006 Mk2 Focus ST (2.5l TURBO) though which was on my list of 'must own' cars for a long time. We've got loads of Fords in the game, It's a brand renowned for putting performance into the hands of the 'everyman', and they have always been popular in the UK tuning scene.
1959 Ford Popular 103EA little 1172 side-valve 4-pot, 6-volt electrics and drum brakes, affectionately known as the Ford 'Pop'. Very basic but a cheaper contemporary of the Morris Minor. However while we've got plenty of choices of American cars in the 'rods and customs' category in the game; we've not got a British car, for the British festival. The 'Pop' should be included as it's part of the British Hot-rod scene, with lots of modified examples appearing over the years.

Upgrade pre-set: V8 Wide-body:
1974 Ford Cortina 2000EAka; the 'Life on Mars' Cortina. Didn't birth a catch-phrase like its 1980's successor, but we've had one reference to the series in the Quattro barn-find, so this would be a fitting companion to that. Otherwise the Cortina was one of Ford's success stories in the UK, one of their popular fast-saloons and would fit the game well.
Body-kit: Cortina GXL front-grille and headlights for the 'Life on Mars' hero-car 'bitsa' replica
1981 Ford Escort RS2000We can make 2.0l versions of the RS1800 in the game true, but not with the distinctive 'pointy-nose' that was grafted on to the RS2000. Maybe add the whole car (with it's Cortina 2.0l) or just the nose-cone to the 1800 car?
1986 Ford Capri Brooklands 280The last of the Capri's, we've got the early 'halo' RS model but the ultimate expression with the 2.8l fuel-injected V6 should really feature as well to complete the set.
Upgrade Pre-set: Tickford Turbo Conversion (Wide-body)
1988 Ford Sierra Sapphire CosworthUnlike the RS500 version of the Sierra this was a proper 'Q-car' with only really the alloys and slightly different bumpers distinguishing this from the stock saloon Sierra. Always liked these, would make a great drift-car in-game and with a 4wd conversion could make a Cosworth 4x4 rally-car.
Upgrade preset: 4x4 Rally
1990 Ford Fiesta RS TurboLove a hot-hatch, the Escort RS Turbo is in the game but Ford basically dropped the same engine (133 bhp and 134 Ft/lb) into the Mk.3 Fiesta. Would be a good competitor to the Golfs and Clio Williams in the game.
1997 Ford Probe GTSThe Probe was supposed to be the new Mustang at one point (yes a Fwd Mustang). That idea wen't over about as well as could be expected in America. Here in the UK it was originally a replacement for the Capri. It wasn't a success in its production life-time, but was a well-engineered, Fwd Coupe, built on a shared Mazda platform. Looking back today I think the looks have aged well, Fwd is more common than ever for 'sporting' fast-Fords and they were well-equipped for the day. Plus with Rwd-conversions in the game you could maybe transform it into the PROPER Mustang/Capri successor it should have been. (Plus I've always had the desire to buy one, and add a large bumper sticker with "SMILE, YOU'VE JUST BEEN PROBED" to amuse people I've just overtaken).

Plus there seems to be a bit of a modifying scene for them now:
2005 Ford Focus STWe've got the RS version, but...well... I've got one of these? Plus they come in this insane Orange colour! They have a different body-kit to the RS, the 'ST' wheels and are very tunable cars (effectively being 'prototype' Mk.2 RS').
Bodykit: 'Facelifted bumper'
2007 Ford Mondeo ST220I've always liked these, was looking for one when I bought my focus. 3.0l V6 engine (designed by Porsche, famously 'half' of an Aston V12 and later used by Jaguar) and handsome big-wheel/wide arch sporting saloon-car looks reminiscent of the BTCC Mondeos. We haven't got any Mondeo's in the game, it was supposed to have been quite a 'modular' and versatile planform (with 4wd and Rwd versions raced in touring-cars) and would be fun to stick a Ford V8 and Rwd into it, or just tune up one of the best-handling Fwd packages there is in 'mainstream' motoring.

2013 Ford Focus STNot much to say here, this was another car in the previous games removed from the latest one. The Focus ST has always been popular here in the UK, and this version is a very common sight on UK roads. We've got the Mk.3 RS in the game, but that's so different from the ST as to be a completely different car (The ST 'makes do' with front wheel drive, 'only' a turbocharged 2.0l engine and has a completely different body-kit). these cars are a popular basis for tuning so would fit well in the game IMO
2019 Ford Fiesta ST Performance EditionReally surprised that with their popularity in the UK the Newest performance Fords haven't been included yet, I'm notmally not too fussed about 'New' cars (I figure you have to leave something for FH5) but would really like to see this version of the Fiesta added to this version of the game. 1.5 3-cylinder turbo, very different (and different-sounding) engine to the last model. Also really customizable and tunable.
2019 Ford Focus STThe Mk.4 Forcus ST; again a very different car from the Focus' in the game already and should be 'in' as the most modern performance Focus. It's a 'new-shape' focus for the game and has a 280 bhp version of the RS Focus' 2.3l four-pot turbo.


Edited by user Sunday, January 3, 2021 5:31:40 AM(UTC)
| Reason: Not specified