1986 Ford RS200

Ford began the development of a rear-wheel drive, a turbocharged version of their MK III Escort (the Escort RS 1700T) for the new Group B rally racing series. As is often the case, development problems arose which ultimately forced Ford to abandon the project. Instead of simply writing off the costs of the failed 1700T, Ford executives made the decision to go in a different direction, and build an all-new, purpose-built rally car. This new vehicle would go head-to-head with the Lancia Delta S4 and the Audi Quattro S1 - meaning the new car would require four-wheel drive.

The RS200 was given a composite/fiberglass body styled by Flippo Saprino at the Ghia Design Studio. Formula One designer Tony Southgate designed the chassis along with help from former F1 engineer John Wheeler. Mounting the 1.8-liter Cosworth 'BDT' engine in the middle, and placing the transmission in the front, gave the RS200 excellent balance, even better than its competition.

Complying with FIA homologation rules, Ford planned to build a minimum of 200 examples. 24 of those were given serious upgrades and dubbed 'Evolution' models. The RS200 Evolution received an uprated suspension, brakes, and a larger 2.1-liter version of the Cosworth powerplant. At full boost, the RS200 has nearly 600 horsepower and can race from zero-to-sixty in just over 3 seconds.

by Daniel Vaughan | Oct 2017