Ford
All your favourite fast FordsIn the world of motoring no two words have been better suited than fast and Ford. Here's a selection of the best.When Ford dropped a Lotus engine in its humble Cortina it kicked off a sporting dynasty. Ever since the Blue Oval has produced rapid motors for the masses. Whether it's warmed over hatches bearing an XR badge, or hardcore RS motorsport specials there has been something for everyone. Add in engine builder Cosworth and you have all the ingredients for legendary status. We've gathered together some of the most influential from the past 40 years. Take a look through and see if you can spot your favourite. |
|
|
 |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
1. Fiesta XR2 The smallest Ford hot hatch wasn't the sharpest or fastest, but it was certainly popular. With a rasping 1.6-litre motor and boy racer looks it provided a cheap path into performance motoring. Not for the faint hearted, there was always the 130mph Turbo Technics option.
|
|
2. Sierra RS Cosworth Quite simply a legend. The original 1986 Sierra RS Cosworth was a blue collar hero. Whale tail spolier, supercar chasing performance and motorsport pedigree - the Cossie had it all. Sadly, a combination of unsympathetic tuners and car theives mean finding a good one is a challenge.
|
|
3. Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth If the three-door original was a bit of a hooligan, then the Sapphire was the gentleman's express. However, the sober four-door shape concealed the same turbocharged 204bhp 2.0-litre motor, and killer punch. The 1990 4x4 version was a supercar for all seasons.
|
|
4. Capri RS2600 This rare beast trumps even the hairy-chested 2.8i model. Only 3,000 or so of these 2.6-litre V6 engined specials ever hit the streets. Essentially a homologation special it lasted from 1970 until 1974. In the capable hands of Jackie Stewart it humbled BMW on the race track during the early Seventies.
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
5. Escort RS1800 Think of a rally car and a MKII Escort inevitably comes to mind. The RS1800 was the greatest of the lot, notching up numerous victories in the hands of drivers like Roger Clark and Hannu Mikkola. Essentilally it was a hand built special with only 109 sold in the UK.
|
|
6. RS200 The awesome 500bhp RS200 was built with one purpose in mind - to win rallies. Under the skin of this Group B monster was a powerful turbocharged mid-mounted motor, four-wheel drive and not much else. Tops of doors and windscreen were shared with standard Sierra.
|
|
7. Granada 24V Ignore the Granada looks, because underneath them beats a Cosworth heart. The tuned 2.9-litre V6 gave 204bhp, and the odd BMW owner a fright. Chassis was uprated to cope, making the big Ford quite fun to drive. Today £750 will buy you a mint example.
|
|
8. Focus RS The Focus RS was probably one of the most eagerly anticipated Fords ever - and it was worth the wait. With 212bhp from it's 2.0-litre powerplant perfromance was electric, while a hi-tech front diff gave stunning grip. However, the stiff ride made bumpy roads a challenge.
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
9. Fiesta RS Turbo The RS Turbo was the wild child of the Fiesta range. With 130bhp and an aging chassis it took rampant torque steer to new levels. Still, with cool three-spoke alloy wheels, green bumper strips and mulitlple front lamps it looked the business.
|
|
10. Escort XR3i This was the definitive hot hatch if the Eighties. It couldn't match the Golf GTi for talent, but it cost less and looked great. Buyers flocked to Blue Oval showrooms and, at it's peak, the XR3i accounted for one in ten Escort sales. It lasted in various forms until 1995.
|
|
11. Escort RS2000 The RS2000 was the working man's sportscar. With a powerful 110bhp 2.0-litre motor and room for all the family it was the perfect all-rounder. The distinctive front end was claimed to reduce lift by 25 percent. If that didn't excite you, then there was always the four-spoke alloys.
|
|
12. Escort Cosworth It may have looked like an Escort, but the familiar bodywork hid Sierra Cosworth mechanicals and chassis. Built to win rallies, the RS was also a formidable road weapon. With 227bhp, four-wheel drive and proper downforce it offered serious performance.
|
![[ Auto Express ]](http://photos.autoexpress.co.uk/front_website/images/ae_website_logo.gif){kind=logo}
