FORD ESCORT RS TURBO SERIES ONE (1984-1985)
Back in the early ’80s, Ford were all about Motorsport. The days of the legendary RWD Mk2 Escort were over and they needed something to prove that their latest generation of Escorts were – despite being slated for being FWD – world class performers.
The normally aspirated RS1600i wasn’t a bad performer in its class in circuit racing, but was lacking in sufficient power to be competitive at the highest levels, and that’s why the Series One RS Turbo was born. With a mixture of RS1600i parts blended together with brand new parts such as an aggressive bodykit, arch extensions, a limited slip diff and, of course, turbo power, the new Escort RS Turbo was one of the most advanced FWD hot hatches the
world had seen at that point. The engine was still the 1.6ltr CVH lump used in the RS1600i and XR3 models, but extensive changes including a Garrett T3 turbo gave it 132bhp, enough to get it to 60 in under 8sec – an impressive number for a FWD ’80s hot hatch.
Just like the RS1600i before it, the Series One RS Turbo was intended for motorsport, most notably touring car racing. The points the alloy wheels rotated inside the slick tyres. On the road it has always been a tuning favourite. With upwards of 300bhp having been achieved from the little CVH in tuned road cars, and performance times still up there with current tuned hot hatches, the Escort RS Turbo quickly became almost a household name.
Countless engine conversions have been done over so even big power 4WD Cosworth S1 RS Turbos exist, but one thing that never gets changed is the looks; the legendary aggressive kit and wide arches are a look that Ford got right from the start and will go down in history…
SPEC FORD ESCORT RS TURBO SERIES ONE (1984-1985)
Engine 1.6 litre 8 valve turbo
Power 132bhp
0-60mph 7.8 seconds
Top speed 126mph
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