Model Page
Mk2 Escort RS2000
Production Run: |
25,638 |
|---|---|
Production Date: |
1976 - 1980 |
Engine: |
1,993cc Pinto In-Line 4 |
Built: |
Saarlouis (Germany) |
0-60: |
8.6 secs |
Max Speed: |
109mph |
Development of the Mk2 Escort RS2000 began in 1974 by a team led by Stuart Turner, the brief was simple, to develop and introduce a Mk2 RS2000, RS Mexico and RS1800, the car was no longer being developed by AVO as this was due to be shut down in January 1975.
RS2000 with the Slanted Nose Cone
The RS2000 was designed at Ford’s Cologne styling studio in Germany – the same factory that had also produced the RS3100 Capri. The most distinctive design feature of the car was the nose cone, this was developed by Jack Telnack, the plastic moulding fitted to the front end sheet metal, to achieve this the outer panels were cut back with the inner panels being left as is. The nose housed four headlamps (as was the tradition with sporting Fords); this made the car slightly longer in comparison to its other stable mates. To accommodate the droop snoot a revised bonnet was designed and fitted.
According to Ford, the new front end and rubber boot spoiler decreased front end lift by 25%, the rear end lift by 60% and gave the car a 16% improved drag co-efficient. The car also benefited from a lower front spoiler and bold side graphics
Mechanically the car was more or less identical to the Mk1 Escort, the 1,993cc Pinto engine being used once more. The Pinto lump was mounted longitudinally in the engine bay with the gearbox bolted to the back of the engine, the power being fed to the rear wheels via a prop shaft. Again, the engine was fed fuel by a single downdraught dual choke Weber Type 32/36DGAV carburettor. The power plant did benefit from an increase in power of around 10% due to the installation of a exhaust manifold unique to this model and revised air filter housing. The model was fitted with the same four speed gearbox, rear axles, brakes and final drive ratio as the RS Mexico. The car now also came fitted with the four spoke RS alloy wheels as standard.
Rear shot of the Mk2 RS2000
It is interesting to note that the development of the handling was trusted to Tom Walkinshaw who at the time was an up and coming race driver and engineer of some repute. The car featuring stiffer suspension settings than the lesser model.
The RS2000 was available in a number of colours namely Black, Orange, Beige, Signal Green, Java Green, Signal Yellow, Diamond White, Carnival Red, Midnight Blue, Riviera Blue, Terracotta, Bronze and Venetian Red, green tinted windows were fitted as standard.
At the time of launch the RS2000 was the most luxurious RS ever built, the interior benefited from a complete facelift and included reclining Scheel driving seats, a glove box, centre console, full carpet set and full door cards.
Production took place at the Saarlouis plant in Germany, much to the disappointment of some UK owners, not withstanding the fact that AVO’s production facility had closed. Logistically it made more sense to produce the car in Germany rather than sending engines and gearboxes to the UK for assembly – these being produced in Germany.
RS2000 Interior Cabin
The car was previewed in March 1975 at the Geneva Motor show and was well received by the public and press. Quality problems arising from the fit and finish of the nose cone delayed introduction of the model and the car did not go on sale until January 1976, priced at £2,857.
To fill the gap left by the RS Mexico being discontinued in 1978, the RS2000 was offered as a RS2000 base model or RS2000 Custom. The base model weighed in at £3,902 whereas the custom model cost customers £4,416. The base model was mechanically identical to the custom but the interior cabin lost a lot of the luxuries such as glove box, door cards, centre console – exterior wise the car was fitted with steel wheels and tinted glass. Ford had anticipated that most customers would opt for the base model, this proved a incorrect assumption with the custom outselling the base around 4 cars to 1. The base model now only had normal low back sport type seats rather than reclining seats and came only equipped with steel wheels. In 1979 the RS2000 was upgraded to include bronze tinted glass, a remote adjustable driver door and the interior was upgraded with Fishnet Recaro seats.
Production of the car ended in July 1980 and so with it ended RS production, the rear wheel drive Escort being replaced with the front wheel drive Mk3. The RS brand would not be revived until the front wheel drive Escort RS1600i was released in 1982.
The Facts
Engine: |
Ford Pinto In-Line 4 |
|---|---|
Capacity: |
1,993cc |
Valves: |
8 |
Compression Ratio: |
9.2:1 |
Fuel System: |
Downdraught Dual Choke Weber Carburettor Type 32/36 DGVA |
Maximum Power: |
110bhp @ 5,500 rpm. |
Maximum Torque: |
119lb/ft @ 4,000 rpm. |
Transmission: |
Manual 4 speed. |
Top Gear: |
18.7mph per 1000 rpm. |
Brakes: |
Servo Assisted front discs / rear drums |
Kerb Weight: |
941kg |
Max Speed: |
109 mph |
0-60: |
8.6 secs |
