Ford's Performance division gets a new identity as it gears up to release high-performance road vehicles for racing enthusiasts.

Ford Announces Rebranding of Ford Performance to Ford Racing

Ford has announced a significant change in its performance division, rebranding Ford Performance to Ford Racing. This move is set to unite the company's road and race car operations under one roof.

The rebranding is more than a simple exercise, according to Will Ford, general manager of Ford Racing. The change is in preparation for more extreme road cars and an expansion of Ford's performance car range.

Currently, Ford's UK line-up includes three performance cars: the less powerful 1.0-litre Ford Puma ST, the V8 Mustang, and the Mustang Mach-E GT SUV. The new Ford Racing branding will be applied to these models, as well as to Ford's race cars immediately.

The Mustang Mach-E GT SUV is one of the performance cars in Ford's UK line-up, and it will draw inspiration from Ford's motorsport programmes, like the Mustang GTD. On the other hand, the Ford Puma ST is the only performance car in Ford's UK line-up with a 1.0-litre engine. Last year, the 197bhp 1.5-litre engine and manual gearbox were dropped from the Ford Puma ST.

Production of the Ford Focus ST is soon to end, leaving a gap in the performance car segment. However, the rebranding to Ford Racing suggests that new models are on the horizon. Mark Rushbrook, who remains the global director during the transition from Ford Performance to Ford Racing, will oversee the general management of the new brand.

Rumours suggest that the Ford Ranger Raptor pick-up truck is being considered for a high-performance version. In fact, the Ford Ranger Raptor pick-up truck is being considered for a 1000bhp version, inspired by the brand's Dakar Rally contender.

The new Ford Racing logo pairs the historic blue oval emblem with a modern 'Racing' typeface. The logo's color matches the 'Racing' typeface, creating a sleek and modern look. The new branding will "come into life" at the Dakar Rally and Daytona 24 Hours next January.

This rebranding marks an exciting time for Ford and its performance division. With the unification of road and race car operations, and the promise of new extreme road cars, Ford Racing is poised to make a significant impact in the automotive industry.

Ford's Performance division gets a new identity as it gears up to release high-performance road vehicles for racing enthusiasts.