50 Years of Ford RS models

Models with much steam under the hood from Ford traditionally show the RS badge on their bodywork since 50 years. The abbreviation stands for ‘Rally Sport’. Since 1968 different RS models helped Ford to many victories in motorsport. Escort, Sierra, RS200, Focus and Fiesta won on circuits and specially on mud, snow and gravel in the rally scene. A small flaw in the impressive RS-history is that in the anniversary year 2018 there is no new RS model available at the Ford dealers.

15M RS, 17M RS and 20M RS

It began in 1968, in the midst of a period of political and social upheaval. Ford not only set one starting point for the ongoing RS success story, but even three. Based on the P6- and P7-series they created the models 15M RS, 17M RS and 20M RS, all of which produced in Cologne and available either as two-door or four-door sedan, Coupé (15M) or ‘Hardtop’ called version (17M and 20M). 15M RS and 20M RS debuted at the at the IAA (Frankfurt Motor Show) in September 1967 and were supplemented with the 17M RS for the market launch. Three engines in nine different bodywork variants – Ford never sold that many different RS models at the same time again.

Compared to the normal models, the RS variants received less chrome trim, halogen auxiliary headlights and black trim on the sides. On the 15M, another black area was added at the rear, while 17M and 20M sported stripes on the bonnet. For the bodies there was the generous choice between red or silver paint. 14-inch tubeless tires with ‘special rims’ (written in the brochure) in silver gray (15M/17M) or chrome (20M) with black inner fields filled the wheel arches. Wheel nuts and dust caps also carried chrome to take away the ‘boring’ image of the normal models. Behind the steering wheel, the speedometer and rev counter are large and centrally located, supplemented by an oil pressure gauge and an ampere meter. Fitting to the short wooden shift knob, the perforated steering wheels on the 17M and 20M showed imitation wood. The 15M RS was powered by a 1.7-liter V4 engine with 70 hp, in the 17M RS stuck a two-liter V6 engine with 90 hp and the 20M RS was powered by a V6 with 108 hp from 2.3 liters. With 155 kph (96 mph, 15M), 160 kph (99 mph, 17M) and 170 kph (105 mph, 20M) topspeed, the three Fords were far ahead in their time and could only be outdriven by real sports cars, which were much more expensive.

Capri RS 2600 and Capri RS 3100

Only two years after the introduction of the first RS models, Ford also launched the sports Coupé Capri with this abbreviation. Until then, this model had rather the reputation of a sporty looking but slow car. Although the Capri RS had previously caused a sensation in the Deutsche Rennsport Meisterschaft (German Racing Championship, DRM) as a lightweight variant. The road version of the Capri RS 2600 received a 2.6-liter V6 engine with a Kugelfischer-injection system. It accelerated from zero to 100 kph (62 mph) in eight seconds and then up to the then magical sound barrier of 200 kph (124 mph). In addition the Coupé received a sports suspension inspired by motorsport with Bilstein dampers, special front axle cross members for more negative camber and six-inch wide and 13-inch big alloy wheels. Ford deleted the bumpers – a then common process to make cars look sportier. Nevertheless, thanks to four seats and a normal luggage compartment suitable for travels, the Capri RS remained an everyday vehicle. On request, plastic doors, a plastic trunk lid, magnesium rims and plexiglass side windows ensured a weight of just 900 kilograms. It was followed by the Capri RS 3100, which came three years after the Capri RS 2600 with an ‘Essex’-V6 drilled to 3.1 liters. In racing, the engine received an expansion to 3.4 liters by Cosworth, which made 400 hp possible.

Escort RS

In addition to the Capri, Ford also took the tame compact vehicle Escort under the RS treatment, which first came to the market in 1968. It got the today famous BDA four-cylinder engine with enough power for good sales and proper success in rallying. Similar to the Capri, the displacement of the Escort was increased in 1973 – in this case from 1.6 to two liters, creating 100 hp. These met with only 915 kilograms total weight in street trim. The competition versions were significantly lighter due to a stripped-out interior. In this design, famous rally drivers of the time won events such as the RAC Rally in the UK, the 1000 Lakes Rally in Finland, the East African Safari Rally or the endurance rally London-Mexico. The road version also got a sporty suspension with appropriate spring-damper units and light lowering. The widened fenders were filled by 13-inch big and 5.5-inch wide wheels.

Escort RS 1800 and Escort RS 2000

The Escort I was followed in 1976 by the Escort II and, of course, the need for a new RS version – at least for the international rally scene. But sporty-ambitious private people also knew and appreciated the Escort RS, which is why they were pleased about the launch of the new Escort RS 1800 in 1978. Since Ford had taken over the platform of the original Escort for the second generation, they didn’t need to homologate it for competition, as it was considered to be just an extensive facelifting. What would be unthinkable nowadays was enough for two driver titles (1979 with Björn Waldegård and 1981 with Ari Vatanen) as well as one manufacturers title (1979) in the World Rally Championship. While the street version of the Escort RS 1800 was only available in a limited production of 109 copies in the UK, the Escort RS 2000 rolled to dealers in a significantly bigger number of countries. Optically it distinguished from normal models by an elongated, inclined plastic front panel with four integrated headlights. Its 110 hp were a top value in the compact car scene of the time. It also received the braking system of the bigger 2.3-liter Capri.

Escort RS 1700T, Escort RS 1600 and Escort RS Turbo

From the third Escort generation Ford at first developed a new competition vehicle in the form of the Escort RS 1700T. Based on the Group B regulations, this rear-wheel drive version was supposed to beat cars like the Audi quattro, but it never got beyond the prototype stage, as a four-wheel drive system wasn’t avoidable anymore. For this, some details of this project benefitted the new RS for the road, which tried to catch customers with a 1.6-liter injection engine with 115 hp from 1981. Three years later, the performance increased to 132 hp by a turbocharger. In contrast to an old credo of company founder Henry Ford, after which you could get his Model T in any color, in case it would be black, the Escort RS Turbo was only available in white. Ford officially decided the facelift of this Escort to be a totally new model generation and of course there was also a RS version.

RS200

Experiences from the failed project ‘Escort RS 1700T’ led directly to a completely new car, which is still treated as one of the most beautiful rally cars of all time. Tony Southgate developed a four-wheel-drive system with three Ferguson differentials and a mid-engined chassis with dual wishbone suspensions all around and dual spring-damper units per wheel. Above a stunning plastic body shell was designed by Filipino Sapino, head of the coachbuilder Ghia. Directly behind the seats was the otherwise 1.7-liter big BDT-engine, which was enlarged to 1.8 liters and combined with a Garrett turbocharger for its use in the new RS200. The number in the name refers to the production number that had to be produced by the manufacturers for the homologation in order to be able to name a corresponding vehicle in the Group B. Accordingly 200 copies of the RS200 were made in road design, which were offered for example in Germany for a base price of 92,500 DM. Since the world premieretook place in late 1984 and the competition debut was in 1985, the car was denied a bigger success: heavy accidents with fatalities caused the motorsport authorities to ban Group B cars at the end of the 1986 season. For the RS200 a new career started in rallycross and hillclimb events such as Pikes Peak in Colorado/USA.

Sierra RS Cosworth and Sierra RS Cosworth 500 (Generation 1)

Visually a little unreasonably, Ford debuted the Sierra RS Cosworth at the IAA (Frankfurt Motor Show) in 1985, based on the three-door Sierra with a boldly held huge rear wing. According to the original idea, this car should serve for homologation, but this time mostly for circuit racing. Ford tried its luck in Touring Car World Championship, Touring Car European Championship, BTCC and DTM. In 1987, a Sierra RS Cosworth won the 24 Hours of Nürburgring, followed in 1988 by the title in the DTM. In addition the car won 26 international rallies around the world. Drive was provided by a two-liter four-cylinder turbo engine with four-valve cylinder head and double camshaft, which was developed jointly with Cosworth and already provided 204 hp in the road version. That was enough for 241 kph (150 mph) topspeed. While the racecar was even faster, in 1987 Ford launched the Sierra RS Cosworth 500 with 220 hp for the road.

Sierra RS Cosworth and Sierra RS Cosworth 4×4 (Generation 2)

Another year later, the Sierra received an extensive facelift. The sports model Sierra RS Cosworth was based from now on the four-door sedan and therefore appeared much more restrained. Nevertheless, this RS received optical distinguishing features compared to the normal production models, such as a stand-alone grille, wider wheel arches and a small but very effective rear spoiler. The drive with 204 hp derived from the predecessor. In 1990, Ford expanded the range with the Sierra RS Cosworth 4×4 with all-wheel drive and 220 hp, recognizable by air outlets in the bonnet and bumpers painted completely in body color.

Fiesta RS Turbo and Fiesta RS 1800i

Ford offered the Fiesta RS Turbo only in a few selected countries like France, Italy or the UK, but not in Austria, Switzerland and Germany in 1990. The reason for this was the impending mandatory introduction of catalytic converters for new vehicles in some countries. Visually, the RS differed only in a few details such as the alloy wheels or the steering wheel of the Fiesta XR2i, which was available in all countries in Europe. On the drive side, it was a real grenade in the small car field with its 133 hp 1.6-liter engine. Two years later, there was a limited edition of the Fiesta RS 1800i with a naturally aspirated 1.8-liter engine for the British market.

Escort RS 2000 and Escort RS 2000 4×4

From 1992, Ford crowned the next Escort generation (in internal counts this is number five) with the RS 2000. Newly designed bumpers, at the front with integrated fog lights, dual headlights next to the grille, new side skirts and a subtle rear wing served as visual features. Inside there were Recaro sports seats, a leather sports steering wheel and gray instruments, while under the hood 150 hp were drawn from a two-liter four-cylinder engine. Again, two years later followed a variant with four-wheel drive.

Escort RS Cosworth

Parallel there was in the Ford brochures with the XR3i a smaller and with the RS Cosworth a larger sports version of the Escort. The latter was created in cooperation with Karmann in Osnabrück/Germany and had only the name and the Ford logos in common with the normal Escort. As a basis, they used the platform of the Sierra RS Cosworth 4×4, which was shortened a bit, but still had 26.5 millimeters more wheelbase and 175 millimeters more length overall than the normal Escort. Above sat a 50 millimeters wider body with the basic look of the Escort, but various optical autonomy, for example with the bumpers and the big rear wing. Its shape was worked out in about 200 wind tunnel hours and then for the first time in a special production process made of synthetic resin. At 180 kph (112 mph) it produced more than 20 kilograms of downforce at the rear axle. The 220 hp four-cylinder turbo engine of the Sierra RS Cosworth was used again, but with a new turbocharger and a two-stage intercooler. In its competitive variant, the Escort RS Cosworth won five World Rally Championship events in its debut season and continued this tradition for a long time on international and national level.

Focus RS (Generation 1)

Between 1994 and 2002, no new RS models rolled off the line. Then Ford revived the legendary abbreviation and presented the first Focus RS with a 215 hp two-liter four-cylinder engine and front-wheel drive. In order to be able to take even narrow country road corners in a sporty manner, the front axle was equipped with a limited slip differential from Quaife. In addition, there were tires specially developed by Michelin, 18-inch OZ wheels and a brake system from Brembo.

Focus RS (Generation 2)

Seven years after the first, the second Focus RS followed. For the first time in RS history it used a 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine, used by Ford before in the less-powerful Focus ST (with 250 hp). In the RS it was tuned to a remarkable 305 hp and 410 newtonmeters of torque. Since this power still only drove the front wheels, the Ford Research Center in Aachen developed the so-called Revo front axle with integrated Quaife slip differential. The final point of this was set in 2010 with a limited edition of 500 copies of the Focus RS 500. It got a power increase to 350 hp and a flat black wrap from factory.

Focus RS (Generation 3)

From 2015 until the beginning of this year, Ford built the third generation Focus RS in Saarlouis/Germany. This Focus RS was offered globally for the first time and so found many fans and clients in many countries around the world. Since this Focus generation in general was only available as a four-door sedan, a station wagon or a five-door hatchback, Ford used the latter for the RS. It received a 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder turbo engine with 350 hp and a four-wheel drive system with variable power distribution. For the first time, the officially stated topspeed of 268 kph (166 mph) exceeded the value of 250 kph (155 mph), which had long been set for German high performance vehicles, as all German manufacturers except Porsche agreed on this value in the 1980s. While in Germany only the ‘Blue & Black’ special edition was offered in 2017, the UK received two limited editions with the Red Edition and the Heritage Edition.

Currently, there is no Ford model with the RS-abbreviation available from new. However, this could change soon, with twelve new performance vehicles by 2020 announced at the premiere of the third generation Focus RS back in 2015.

Images: Ford