20 years set apart these Ford Performance cars
How do you close the generation gap between two go-fast models? Simple: you bring them side by side and shoot a video.
Based on the fifth-gen EU-spec Ford Escort, the RS Cosworth variant came to life from Ford's desire to compete in the Group A of the WRC. The first 2,500 units, thus, served homologation purposes yet a limited number of Ford Escort RS Cosworths were available as road-going vehicles.
The Escort RS Cosworth took a lot after the Sierra Cosworth. In fact, it used the same chassis and mechanical bits and bobs, including the same five-speed gearbox and permanent all-wheel drive system – sending 66% of torque to the rear wheels.
Its turbocharged engine made 227 hp at 6,250 rpm and 310 Nm of torque at 3,500 rpm. In this setup, the Cossie Escort could sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 232 km/h (144 mph).
The other star of Autocar's video is the Ford Focus RS, a machine that's packed with modern technology and all kind of gimmicks aimed at rising fun levels behind the wheel. So, which one would take your cake? The old or the new?
Speaking of the Focus RS, here's the proper way to use Ford's Drift Stick.