Ford Escort RS Cosworth
The Ford Escort RS Cosworth, despite wearing the Escort name, was essentially a bespoke performance car that shared little more than a vague family resemblance with the humble hatchback it was nominally based on. Launched in 1992 as a Group A rally homologation special, the Escort RS Cosworth was the spiritual successor to the Sierra RS Cosworth and represented the pinnacle of Ford's factory performance program in Europe.
The engine was a development of the Cosworth YB series, the same basic architecture that had powered the Sierra RS Cosworth. This 1,993cc inline-four featured a Garrett T25 turbocharger producing up to 227 horsepower in standard trim. The electronic fuel injection and engine management system was more sophisticated than the Sierra's, providing smoother power delivery and improved driveability. In competition tune, the engine could produce well over 300 horsepower.
The most significant technical difference from the Sierra RS Cosworth was the adoption of permanent all-wheel drive. The system used a Ferguson-type viscous coupling center differential to distribute power between front and rear axles, with a rear limited-slip differential ensuring optimal traction at the driven wheels. This AWD system transformed the car's wet-weather capability and eliminated the Sierra's tendency toward turbo-lag-induced oversteer.
The exterior was dominated by the enormous rear wing -- even larger than the Sierra's -- which was designed in Ford's wind tunnel to generate meaningful downforce at speed. Combined with front and rear spoilers, the aerodynamic package produced a visually dramatic car that was also genuinely effective at high speeds. The wide wheel arches, flared to accommodate 16-inch alloy wheels with wide tires, gave the car a purposeful stance.
The chassis was based on a modified Sierra floorpan rather than the contemporary Escort platform, providing a longer wheelbase and wider track than the standard Escort. This gave the RS Cosworth a more planted feel and more predictable handling characteristics. Suspension was fully independent, with MacPherson struts at the front and a multi-link arrangement at the rear, both with adjustable Koni shock absorbers.
Braking used four-piston AP Racing calipers gripping ventilated discs at the front, with solid discs at the rear. The system was powerful, progressive, and resistant to fade -- essential for a car that could reach 150 mph.
The interior was purposeful rather than luxurious, with Recaro sport seats, a three-spoke leather steering wheel, boost gauge, and various RS-specific trim details. The Escort's basic dashboard architecture was retained, giving the car a somewhat incongruous mix of high-performance capability and everyday hatchback familiarity.
The Escort RS Cosworth's competition record was exceptional. In World Rally Championship trim, it won numerous events and helped drivers like Carlos Sainz and Francois Delecour compete for championship titles. The car's rally success reinforced its credibility as a genuine performance machine.
Approximately 7,145 Escort RS Cosworths were built before production ended in 1996. The car was available in a range of colors and specifications, with later models receiving minor updates and revisions. All versions have appreciated significantly as the car's importance in Ford's competition history has been recognized.
Turbocharger condition is the first priority -- check for shaft play, blue smoke, and boost leaks. Head gasket integrity is critical; the YB engine is notorious for head gasket failures when over-boosted. Inspect for rust in sills, inner wings, and rear arches. Verify AWD system function through a test drive on a wet surface. Many cars have been modified -- originality commands a premium.
Built at Ford's Saarlouis plant in Germany with Cosworth engines installed at the Karmann coachworks facility in Rheine, Germany. Despite the Escort name, the platform was more closely related to the Sierra than the contemporary Escort.