Performance Review: Ford Escort XR3i MK4 - [1986]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford Escort Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford Escort XR3i MK4 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1986. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1987 Porsche 959 Turbo and the 1987 Ferrari F40 2.9 V8.This particular Ford Escort has a 1597cc Naturally Aspirated 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 Rear Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 920 kgs (2028 lbs) this makes the Ford Escort XR3i MK4 in the same weight category as the 2020 Lotus Elise Sport 220 1.8 Supercharged or the give or take 50kg.

The Ford Escort shares the same bhp with the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (118 bhp)

In terms of power the 1597cc 8V St4 engine produces 103 bhp (76 kW) @ 6000 rpm similar to the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (118 bhp) or the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 101 lb-ft (136.9 Nm) @ 4800 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 lb-ft) or the 2012 Mini Cooper Paceman (118 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 1972 Maserati Merak 3.0 V6 (136.9 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Escort.

The Ford Escort has a Power to weight ratio of 111.9 bhp per ton and 109.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1986 Escort competing with the 1972 Maserati Merak 3.0 V6 (136.9 bhp per ton) or the 1950 Ferrari 195 Inter (136.8 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 109.7 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 1972 Jensen Healey 2.0 16v (134.7 lb-ft per ton) or the 2013 KIA Pro Ceed GT 1.6 Turbo (134.6 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 9.1 secs, this made the Ford Escort XR3i MK4 as fast as the 2013 Vauxhall-Opel Zafira Tourer CDTi BiTurbo (8.80 secs) the the 2002 Toyota Camry 3.0 V6 (8.80 secs) the or the 2000 Mitsubishi FTO 2.0 GPX (8.80 secs). This Ford Escort XR3i MK4 is also faster than the 2008 Audi A4 1.8T Avant (8.90 secs) the 2005 Suzuki Swift 1.6 VVT Sport (8.90 secs) the 2000 Vauxhall-Opel Omega 3.2 V6 Automatic (8.90 secs) the and the 1990 Alfa-Romeo 33 1.7 Boxer Cloverleaf (8.90 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Escort and the 1984 Nissan 300ZX 3.0 V6 Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Ford Escort on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 17.13 secs @ 79.9 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1984 Nissan 300ZX 3.0 V6 Turbo (17.05 secs), the 1998 Bentley Mulsanne Turbo RT (17.06 secs), and the 1963 Lotus Super Severn 1.5L (17.06 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1986 version of the Ford Escort XR3i MK4 has a maximum speed of 116mph.

Top Speed of the 1986 Escort equals the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (127 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1986 Ford Escort XR3i MK4 then how about the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (127 mph), the 2011 Lotus Elise Club Racer (127 mph), or the 2011 Abarth 500C 1.4 Turbo (127 mph).

Related Links:

1986 Escort Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison