Performance Review: Ford Escort Mk4 RS Turbo - [1985]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford Escort Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford Escort Mk4 RS Turbo is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1985. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1985 Lamborghini Countach LP5000S QV and the 1985 TVR 390 SE 3.9l V8.This particular Ford Escort has a 1597cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The Escort shares its Petrol St4 engine configuration with the likes of the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo and the 2013 Caterham 7 620 R 2.0 L Supercharged. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Escort's Front Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1080 kgs (2380 lbs) this makes the Ford Escort Mk4 RS Turbo in the same weight category as the 2018 Lotus Exige Cup 430 Type 25 or the give or take 50kg.

The Ford Escort shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 1597cc 8V St4 engine produces 132 bhp (98 kW) @ 5750 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 133 lb-ft (180.3 Nm) @ 2750 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2015 Mazda MX5 2.0i Roadster Coupe (148 lb-ft) or the 2013 Caterham 7 485 2.0L (152 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Ford Escort you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2005 Alfa-Romeo 159 3.2 V6 Q4 (147.1 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Escort.

The Ford Escort has a Power to weight ratio of 122.2 bhp per ton and 123.1 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1985 Escort competing with the 2005 Alfa-Romeo 159 3.2 V6 Q4 (147.1 bhp per ton) or the 2000 Ford Puma 1.7i 16V Ford Racing (147.1 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Ford Escort generating around 123.1 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt SS 2.0 Supercharged (148.1 lb-ft per ton) or the 2009 Peugeot RCZ 1.6 THP 200 GT (147.9 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.20 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.5 secs, this made the Ford Escort Mk4 RS Turbo as fast as the 2006 Seat Leon 2.0 16v TDI FR (8.20 secs) the 2005 Land-Rover Range Rover 4.4 V8 (8.20 secs) the 2003 BMW X5 3.0d (8.20 secs) the or the 2000 Honda Civic 2.0i VTEC Type S (8.20 secs). This Ford Escort Mk4 RS Turbo is also faster than the 2007 Renault Megane Renaultsport 2.0 dCi 175 (8.30 secs) the 2005 Peugeot 407 3.0 V6 Coupe (8.30 secs) the 2005 Mazda MX5 1.8i (8.30 secs) the and the 2001 Volkswagen-VW Lupo 1.6 GTi (8.30 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Escort and the 1999 Audi TT 1.8T 225

When talking about the performance of the Ford Escort on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.26 secs @ 84.1 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1999 Audi TT 1.8T 225 (16.18 secs), the 2010 Alfa-Romeo Brera JTS 3.2 V6 24v (16.18 secs), and the 2016 Renault Clio RS Trophy 220 1.6 Turbo (16.19 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1985 version of the Ford Escort Mk4 RS Turbo has a maximum speed of 122mph.

Top Speed of the 1985 Escort equals the 2016 Audi A3 2.0 TDI Quattro (133 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1985 Ford Escort Mk4 RS Turbo then how about the 2016 Audi A3 2.0 TDI Quattro (133 mph), the 2015 Mazda MX5 2.0i Roadster Coupe (133 mph), or the 2009 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo Diesel (133 mph).

Related Links:

1985 Escort Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison