Model Page
Ford Escort RS Turbo Series One
Production Run: |
8,604 |
|---|---|
Production Date: |
1984 - 1985 |
Engine: |
1,596 Ford CVH In-Line 4 |
Built: |
Saarlouis (Germany) |
0-60: |
7.8 secs |
Max Speed: |
132mph |
Conceived in April 1983, the Escort RS Turbo was developed by Ford’s Special Vehicle Engineering Department (SVE). The Escort RS Turbo was the first production Turbocharged car that Ford had produced.
RS Turbo Series 1
The RS Turbo was part of a Stuart Tuners Motorsport plan, he had lobbied for three new models to return Ford to a world leader in the Motorsport arena – namely the RS200 for Group B Rallying, the Sierra RS Cosworth for Group A circuit racing and the Escort RS Turbo for Group A Rallying. As is sometimes the case, not everything went according to plan and it was soon discovered that the RS Turbo was better suited to circuit racing than rallying. Rod Mansfield led the engineering team and the car produced was superb considering it was cobbled together from a variety of sources.
The RS Turbo was not however the first turbo charged Escort, a turbo charged XR3 prototype had been built in 1981 utilising a dual choke Weber Carburettor. In 1983 Ford Motorsport promoted the Escort Turbo Rally Championship where 125bhp turbo-charging kits were supplied to privateers; this proved that the CVH engine was more than capable of withstanding the pressures of turbo charging.
RS Turbo Series 1
Unlike the previous Escorts, the Mk3 Escort employed front wheel drive. The car was heavily based on its predecessor the RS1600i sharing the same chassis and suspension / anti-roll bar configuration, the model was also fitted with a rear anti-roll bar to improve handling. The car benefited from the installation of the FF limited slip differential, this was the first time that a viscous coupling limited slip differential was fitted to a production car as standard. Fortunately the braking system was upgraded and featured servo assisted vented front discs and rear drums.
The RS Turbo was powered by a modified 1600 CVH fitted with a Garret T03 turbocharger and large air to air intercooler. The compression of the engine was lowered from the standard CVH through the use of flat top pistons. Electronic fuel injection was fitted to the car from the XR3i namely the Bosch KE Jetronic setup, in this state of tune the engine generated 132bhp @ 6,000 rpm and 133lb /ft @ 4,000 rpm.
The bodywork was an evolution of the Mk3 Escort but underwent many revisions. A colour coded body kit was fitted featuring a deep front spoiler and front and rear wheel arch extensions connected by door sill extensions were added to the body to allow for the fitting of wider wheels required for competition. A rear spoiler lifted directly from the XR3i was added to increase stability at high speed. A new style three slat front grill taken from the Orion was used to channel greater volumes of air for cooling into the engine bay. The car was only available in Diamond White and featured prominent blue decals identifying the car from the lesser models. Finishing off the car, smart 15” seven spoke RS Alloy wheels were added as a direct carry over from the RS1600i.
RS Turbos Packed Engine Bay
Interior was much the same as the RS1600i, with Recaro bucket seats fitted as standard shod in Monza and Cashmere fabric. A three spoke RS steering wheel was standard fit as was the bronze colour tinted windows. For an additional £500 a custom pack could be ordered, this pack consisted of electric front windows, opening rear quarter windows, a tilt and slide sunroof and central locking.
Production of the RS Turbo was undertaken by the Saarlouis factory in Germany between December 1984 and December 1985. To allow the car to compete in Motorsport events 5000 units had to be produced to meeting homologation. It was Ford’s intention to stop production of the model once this target had been hit but with sales being so strong the car was kept in production with 8,604 units finally being produced. Incidentally of these, 5,576 cars were sold to the UK market.
At release in 1984 the car was priced at £9,250 – this was a substantial increase over the XR3i that cost £7,035 but this did not deter buyers and sales remained brisk through-out it’s lifecycle. When production of the Series 1 RS Turbo ended there was a six month break before the brand was re-introduced with the Series 2 RS Turbo.
The Facts
Engine: |
Ford CVH In-Line 4 OHC |
|---|---|
Capacity: |
1,596cc |
Valves: |
8 |
Compression Ratio: |
8.2:1 |
Fuel System: |
Bosch KE-Jetronic Fuel Injection |
Maximum Power: |
132bhp @ 6,000 rpm. |
Maximum Torque: |
133lb/ft @ 4,000 rpm. |
Transmission: |
Manual 5 speed. |
Top Gear: |
20.3mph per 1000 rpm. |
Brakes: |
Servo Assisted ventilated front discs / rear drums |
Kerb Weight: |
977kg |
Max Speed: |
132 mph |
0-60: |
7.8 secs |
