RS200

Jaw-dropping styling, fearsome performance and rarity – the RS200 has it all. Intended as a no-compromise rally car, it was designed to meet the extreme Group B regulations of the mid-Eighties.

Unlike most of Ford’s competition creations, this was a clean-sheet design, and only 200 were built to meet homologation demands. Made of lightweight fibreglass, the rakish bodywork was penned by Ghia in Italy. Mechanically, the RS is unlike any other Ford.

The 1.8-litre BDA engine is mid-mounted, turbocharged and mated to four-wheel drive. The RS200 became obsolete when Group B was shut down in 1986 after a series of fatal accidents, but a few road cars were put up for grabs. However, leather trim and electric windows failed to disguise its hardcore nature. The raucous engine, heavy shift and cramped cabin make every trip physically draining.

There’s no shortage of reward for your efforts, though. Explosive acceleration and white-knuckle handling make this a truly memorable Ford.

* Performance: 5/5
* Heritage: 3/5
* Style: 4/5
* Driver appeal: 4/5

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Details

Model tested: RS200
Chart position: 5