Performance Review: Ford Sierra RS 500 - [1987]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford Sierra Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford Sierra RS 500 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1987. 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 Sierra has a 1994cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

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

The Sierra 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 Sierra'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 1207 kgs (2660 lbs) this makes the Ford Sierra RS 500 in the same weight category as the 2018 McLaren Senna 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Ford Sierra shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 1994cc 16V St4 engine produces 224 bhp (167 kW) @ 6000 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (225 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 204 lb-ft (276.5 Nm) @ 4500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (184 lb-ft) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (184 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

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

The 2016 Maserati Quattroporte S Q4 3.0 V6 Biturbo (210.4 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Sierra.

The Ford Sierra has a Power to weight ratio of 185.5 bhp per ton and 169.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1987 Sierra competing with the 2016 Maserati Quattroporte S Q4 3.0 V6 Biturbo (210.4 bhp per ton) or the 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera T 3.0 Turbo PDK 992 (210.1 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 Sierra generating around 169.0 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 2003 Volvo S60 2.5R (194.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 2017 Maserati GranCabrio Sport 4.7 V8 (193.9 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.10 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.3 secs, this made the Ford Sierra RS 500 as fast as the 2017 Maserati Ghibli 3.0 V6 Diesel (6.10 secs) the 2017 Land-Rover Velar 3.0 SDV6 300 (6.10 secs) the 2017 Hyundai i30 N 2.0 Turbo (6.10 secs) the or the 2016 Mini Cooper Clubman John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo Auto (6.10 secs). This Ford Sierra RS 500 is also faster than the 2019 Toyota Supra SZ-R 2.0 Turbo (6.20 secs) the 2019 Toyota Supra SZ 2.0 Turbo (6.20 secs) the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0 TDi SCR 4Motion (6.20 secs) the and the 2014 Peugeot 208 Gti 1.6 Turbo 30th (6.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Sierra and the 2015 BMW 3 Series 335d xDrive LCI Touring F31

When talking about the performance of the Ford Sierra on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.38 secs @ 95.1 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2015 BMW 3 Series 335d xDrive LCI Touring F31 (14.32 secs), the 2014 Audi A3 S3 2.0 Turbo Convertible (14.33 secs), and the 2004 Ford Mustang GT 4.6 V8 (14.35 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1987 version of the Ford Sierra RS 500 has a maximum speed of 154mph.

Top Speed of the 1987 Sierra equals the 2022 Lotus Eletre R 905 bhp (165 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1987 Ford Sierra RS 500 then how about the 2022 Lotus Eletre R 905 bhp (165 mph), the 2020 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works GP (165 mph), or the 2017 Ford Focus RS 2.3 Mountune FPM375 (165 mph).

Related Links:

1987 Sierra Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison