Sierra RS Cosworth
As with all the best fast Fords, the Sierra RS Cosworth exists because blue oval bosses wanted to go racing.
Could there really be any other winner of this test? It was the first Ford to wear the famous Cosworth badge, and it mixed supercar performance with family car practicality.
As with all the best fast Fords, the RS exists because blue oval bosses wanted to go racing.
The result is one of the most legendary performance cars of all-time. On the track, it notched up the World Touring Car Championship title in 1987, the European series in 1988, while also triumphing in the BTCC and taking multiple rally victories. On appearance alone, the RS Cosworth would have assured its place in history. A deep front bumper, neat bonnet vents and huge rear spoiler have been copied countless times since the original Cossie’s invention. The looks aren’t deceptive. The turbocharged 2.0-litre engine pushed out 204bhp, which increased to 224bhp in the limited-run RS500 evolution model.
Even today, the Sierra feels blisteringly quick. Acceleration in the mid-range is superb, and the RS makes light work of overtaking slower traffic.
It’s great fun through challenging corners, too. The steering is light but direct and there’s plenty of grip, although the rear-wheel-drive chassis demands respect in slippery conditions.
Quick, practical, versatile and great fun to drive, the Sierra RS Cosworth is everything a seriously fast Ford should be.
* Performance: 4/5
* Heritage: 5/5
* Style: 5/5
* Driver appeal: 5/5
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Details
Model tested: Sierra RS Cosworth
Chart position: 1
