Fiesta RS Turbo vs Escort RS Turbo Series 2 vs Sierra Sapphire Cosworth 4x4 - Fast Ford Shootout!

[@-DC-]

Paid 4.5k.for a Sapphire Cosworth back in the mid 90's , Absolutely awesome motor 👍

[@solsol1624]

I had one too, an '88 that I got, I think, in '96. Chipped to stage 1. I can confirm it was able to reach the speed limit☺

[@marky9117]

I owned all 3 of them back in the day. Red Fiesta, black and white Series 2 Escorts and a magenta Sapphire. None of them are really that good dynamically, but they’re cool old things now and I’ve some good memories. 😎

[@davemellor4697]

I think with the Fiesta and the Escort people should realise they are only 1.6 ltr engines.I had a series 1 and 2 Escort rs and mildly tuned them both,i have to say there was not much around that could catch them both! I also had a 3 door Cosworth re-mapped to satge 2 260 bhp again for its engine size and handling it was a seriously quick car!

[@marky9117]

@@davemellor4697 Yep that’s fair enough Dave, back in the day they were great and pretty quick compared to other cars of the time, but when I say “dynamically” I mean general handling and steering feedback, etc. Drive something like a Lotus or 911 and the Fords feel like a bendy bus with 3 flat tyres. 😄 For me they aren’t about out and out performance anymore though and I’d love one for nostalgias sake. I’ve just bought a 205GTi as I had one of those 25 years ago too. Not quick at all compared to my other cars, but fun and it invokes happy memories so I find myself smiling whenever I get it out. That’s how I see the old Fords now. 👍🏻

[@davemellor4697]

@@marky9117 I think thats a fair assessment! My wifes X3 35d m sport which is mapped would blow all of them into the weeds!

[@guinnessharvey4476]

Ah, I remember that Madras Vindaloo advert:) those were heady days:)

[@rgt1048]

As a child of the 80s i lusted after these 3. My uncle the bachelor had both the s2 and Fiesta in red and I loved nothing more than being taken out for a drive with him as a kid. My parents always had the standard cars but fast fords shaped my love of cars. At 22 I brought a black 89 S2 and loved it. Now at 40 I have an RS4 which i liken to a modern day Sapphire Cossie ❤❤❤

[@dbowden5489]

Loved this review. I just love what you guys do. My Dad had a his mid life crisis with a couple of XR2i's after a lifetime of Escort L's and I always dreamed of owning a turbo, then and now! Thanks again

[@strongbowism]

Cracking review that of a great Ford era👍 Owned a S1 Turbo early 90's, loved that car then upgraded to my first Sapph Cosworth 4x4 in Ebony Black in 95', next a Diamond White Sapph Cosworth 2WD in 97' and lastly A Smokestone Blue Sapph Cosworth 4x4 bought back in 2010, sold that back in 2013. Fantastic cars the Cosworth, I would have another in a heartbeat but for the crazy prices for a nice one nowadays.

[@TheLsduk1]

I was fortunate enough to own a Fiesta RS Turbo back in the day, I remember I bought it off on an local ex-boxer so hoped everything was in order. It was my pride and joy, I never felt it had to prove anything as actually you hardly saw them on the roads, so I just used to enjoy hovering around in it with my updated sound system, speakers, and amp. Whilst also showing off the automatic closing windows of my - insurance policy necessary - Thatchman category 1 alarm system. When you see one of these, it still turns heads. Whilst the Escort looked like a smaller Sierra to me, the Fiesta felt like the design team wanted this to stand out more in the range. Great video 🙏

[@jasonk7072]

It's been a while since I've been in an 80s/90s fast Ford. Whenever I see one now I'm always reminded of the smell, particularly the Sapphire Cosworth. I remember them of always smelling very sweet, like a hundred Magic Trees were buried somewhere inside. I wonder if these smelled like that or if it's my memory playing tricks on me.

[@welchy1975]

Most of mine smelt of damp, 😂

[@rogerjsy]

i had a saff cossie bought in 2000 ..sold it in 2013 ..mine was 2wd 380bhp.. it was a nutter ..but that was then ..i dont regret selling it i had my time with it ..i wouldnt have another one ..im 56 now so fast fords are in my past but it was fun at the time

[@stuartsmith5308]

early 1990's i test drove a saphire cosworth vs a escort rs turbo. I found the power steering on the cosworth very light and bought the escort rs turbo. One of my favorite cars i've owned.

[@clacky78]

Owned the fiesta and 4x4 Cossie. Loved them both in different ways, once you dropped the fiesta 30 mm it was like a go cart you could throw it anywhere the backend never came round I had 2 golf gti's crash trying to follow me through tight turns and roundabouts really underrated car. The 4x4 Cossie was different gravy, mine was about 320 bhp, destroyed Subaru p1s, the top end was rediculous. They were more rear wheel bias to so you could hold the back end out really easily. The 4x4 Cossie was thrown together as a quick answer to lancia and Audi taking over the rally scene with 4 wheel drive whilst they developed the escort Cosworth. If it wasn't for reliability issues it would have won a lot of rallies it was leading. Thanks for the video and bringing back some great memories

[@summer3211]

I love my black s2 RS turbo I feel extremely privileged to own one. It's what made me fall in love with cars all those years back.

[@raymoreton3184]

agreed with that the second i was lucky enough to buy when i was 20 was a black s2 mine was a g plater

[@swiftcee266]

Always remember an Escort RS Turbo with the plate 'E11 YOO' with a group of lads in it, EEEiiiYOOOO....was a Hooligan war cry back in the day. Arsenal I believe. Great motors and yes certainly the hooligans choice!

[@leors8628]

I’d 100% have 1 of each, great cars in there day & today, love a fast ford 😊

[@groydstein7007]

I hold an unofficial word record, I turned up to work at the Ford dealership I worked at, and on that day had chronic diarrhoea, I managed to take a dump in the spare wheel wells of all the hot hatches on display, even the Escort Cosworth demo.

[@andrewwright.]

sapphire rwd in grey...cloth trim can dream.

[@StephenBance]

Yes I agree, The Sierra to drive in with its 200bhp + engine And the fiesta to behold in looks department -The shape of the 3rd generation Fiesta has dated extremely well - The Cosworth i think is far more understated to look at considering it's power advantage over the other 2 and perhaps the 4 door saloon body ads a hint of luxury and prestigiousnes not found in the other 2 hot hatches - , And also a lot more thirsty at the pumps too - Unfortunately, The Essex Boy Escort doesn't do it for me - Despite still being highly desirable - All the best for another test - Enjoyed watching this one...Steve in Crowborough 15:53

[@matthewhocken9133]

I always thought that Ford missed a trick with the Mk4 Escort, the Mk4 put a bit of weight on over the mk3 which blunted performance a little bit. They should have upgraded the XR3i to use the RS Turbo engine, de-tuned to around 120bhp (reducing the 0 - 60 from 9.3 to 8.5 secs) and upped the RS Turbo to 150bhp to compete even better with the Astra GTE. It was always the case that the Ford did the corners and the Vauxhall did the straights

[@blackbirdmark495]

Excellent video. I’m heavily biased so i’d have to say the Sapphire RS Cosworth 4x4 for me. 👍

[@ClassicsWorldUK]

Good choice!

[@liamsutcliffe473]

My Dad went through 3 Escort RS Turbos. 2x series 1s and series 2. Cracking little cars. Nostalgia leans towards the escort, but given the choice, I’d take the Sierra Sapphire. As you said in the video, it’s a bit more subtle. I still think it looks cool and quietly menacing though.

[@andysaphcozi8619]

Great video guys. ;) Got to be the saph cossie for me, i've owned a Mk3 Rs Turbo Fiesta when i was younger, great car but just doesnt have the same feeling of a cossie. And owning the RWD Saph Cossie now, the power and noise is just so much more... :)

[@adebrade172]

Bring back memories of my Q registered escort RS turbo, jumped out of gear frequently, no identification on chassis, was fun.

[@orbytl2799]

i had a Q registered one amongst a couple of others there was lots of them on a Q plate back then good bit of cheap fun back then till it got written off lol

[@SA-zoom1]

Autocar Review back in the day for the S2 RST.. 'crude but undeniably effective'

[@ClassicsWorldUK]

I'd agree! -Joe

[@stevebutler2160]

Ive owned an s2 for 10yrs. Had my times of why do i own this. But they have such a character & just achieve that fun factor. Plus with around 200bhp they pull real well even in this day & age.

[@SA-zoom1]

@@stevebutler2160 I love them. My cousin had one with the 2 litre power engineering block and a cossie turbo etc, 260bhp at the wheels, once you got it rolling it was insanely quick but also terrifying, even with a quaife diff!

[@Paul-eu9jp]

Great video. I owned a 90 spec S2 Black RST back in the day. Absolutely loved it but unfortunately it cost me a fortune. It was a rot box underneath the body kit. Still had some great times in it though especially traveling down to Well Lane Turbo Centre to get it chipped 😀

[@rasherbasher8203]

Any of these and I'll have a massive grin on my face.. fiesta takes it though...❤

[@ClassicsWorldUK]

Can't argue with the noise and the looks! -Jeff

[@dungareesareforfools]

The Sierra was so good that they had to re-body it into the Escort in order to keep using it for another 6 years!

[@hermanmunster3358]

Funny you should say that, because both the Sierra and the Orion used some of the underpinnings from the old Cortina I believe. But the Orion was a sort of Hybrid, using the Escort front end, and Cortina rear underpinnings, if memory serves. But they never brought out a HOT Orion, unless you count the 2.0E, that was a nod to the Cortina E. But they only ran this for a short time, and take up was slow for some reason.

[@dungareesareforfools]

@@hermanmunster3358 no sorry, that’s completely untrue. Both Sierra and Orion were completely new chassis over the Cortina (the latter was just a mk3 Escort with a boot). The Sierra inherited the Cortina’s engines and gearboxes, but that was it.

[@rob5944]

@@hermanmunster3358 many sought and bought the 16i Ghia Orion, I seem to remember.

[@daboss3116]

@@hermanmunster3358 there was never a 2.0E Only a 1600e

[@johnmelling9950]

Escort then the Fiesta then the Sierra. The Cosworths never did much for me for some reason possibly because i always prefered smaller hot hatches and the name RS Turbo with that really cool font on the boot decal was just so cool. I much prefered the series 1 RS turbo too, it looked better with the bigger arches and blue side stripe against the white paintwork.

[@rororp]

The opening line is 'come the 1980s Fords were dominating the sales charts'. So what were they doing in the 60s and more importantly the 70s!?

[@bencalvy1542]

What a great watch, loads of memories as well. Think I’d have to take the cosworth as I’ve had it as a dream car for so long but the other two evoke more far more emotion, think I’d take the fiesta next but it’s close between that and the escort.

[@ClassicsWorldUK]

Thanks Ben, gotta agree with you on the Cosworth! -Phil

[@paullacey2999]

Youd be over the moon with any one of them!Cant see anyone coveting a MachE 'stang in the future somehow...

[@mrlionrocks]

Excellent video, rare to see these cars get a proper review 👍🏻

[@ClassicsWorldUK]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@rob1615]

We will never see the likes of these kind of cars ever again and what a shame I just loved these 80s and 90s fast ford era absolutely amazing machines and thats why they cost of arm and a leg to buy one these days I've been in the 3 of these cars except the cosy wasn't a 4x4 they were all 2 wheel drive the ones that I was lucky enough to be in

[@PaulSGraham69]

Well, i am 54 from Edinburgh and seen all 3 zooming about back in the day....but i'd have the Sierra. It just looks great and a family car with an evil monster under the Bonnet....thank you for the video

[@kristianspencer1978]

I always liked the 2.9 v6 xr4x4, and the Granada Scorpio 2.9 v6 4x4.👍

[@daz4643]

Great review, i am so glad i never missed the boat with these cars. I owned a Fiesta RS back in the day. Not the best car in the world, but try and find one now. I sold mine for peanuts wish i knew what i did now. All my mates had Escort RS and Cosworths, we all still say the same thing, we would have a garage full of these things if hindsight was a wonderful thing. Loved my little pocket rocket everytime you got in the Recaro's hugged you like an old mate. 😁

[@jamieh4176]

It sounds like the clutch is slipping on the s2 rs turbo

[@sppoitier1]

I'd have the Sierra 4x4.

[@Lemingtona-x5g]

the prices these are now certainly makes you think what you are paying for. good honest review. compared to modern cars these things now are slower than a Dacia

[@stevefox3763]

Sadly never owned a Sapphire cosworth but did own a bunch of sapphire GLSI sierras which got driven like they were stolen, the later Sapphire cosworths were and still are the most beautiful looking ford that has ever been made.

[@bighes100]

I couldn't possibly choose one.... so I'll have the Sapphire Cosworth. Although I'd settle for an Orion 1.6i Ghia, i always loved those.

[@sparks5063]

Had a 84 XR3 and a 88 XR3i, Loved them both! I lusted after the Foosty Turbo, never got one though!

[@AntonyP1970]

loved my s1 rst back in the day , sadly stolen n stripped in 92 :(

[@1979jon]

Fiesta rs turbo for me, regret selling it 15 years ago

[@andrewmarsden1970]

Fiesta, just. All three are great.

[@grahamhunter4996]

Shocking review, I chopped in a Jagv12 xjs for one same colour. I loved it

[@paulburchell1762]

I like the almost final countdown theme

[@adamlee3772]

Excellent video about my favourite fast Ford’s of that era.

[@1234mikechris]

What a great video, I was very lucky that I had a xr3i mk3 then a RS turbo mk4 & my favourite was a 3 door moonstone blue Cosworth, that I very much enjoyed 👍

[@ClassicsWorldUK]

Very nice!

[@The_One_Over_There]

I've seen a really nice, clean, and original Escort RS Turbo S2 when i was a teen once, Purely by chance as it was parked at a garage where my dad and i went to pick up some parts. A bright red one in my case. I really liked the way it looked and just knew right then and there that i was looking at a car i'd enjoy to see at any time from there on out. we're many years later and i still love those cars to bits, Even though i never got to own one.

[@BeLikeAStranger1448]

Saff Cossie All The Way.

[@Suprahampton]

Surely a 3dr Sierra Cosworth is the better vehicle for testing, being the original & hatch like the other 2

[@jonathanlemieux7030]

Fantastic review mates. I'd have any of them, seeing as they were not sold across the pond. Ford just isn't the same...

[@davekennedy6315]

Not surprised the Fiesta RS Turbo was more expensive than the Renault 5 GT Turbo as they were incredibly cheaply made. The metal on the R5 was paper thin,the engine was an old turd just with a Turbo bolted on. Although the same could be said about the CVH with reviewers stating that CVH stood for Coarse Vibratory Harsh.

[@johnwright3075]

Love the escort but I’d sell my soul for the sapphire cosworth

[@BLACKSTONE0707]

I owned both the Escort (3 in total) and Sapphire (Rwd) . The S2 Escort RS turbo won it for me, for being more fun to drive and cheaper to own. The cosworth was always greater engineering and better in every way but you had to have deeper pockets when it broke. I know it had its fan base but I never really liked the Fiesta turbo with its styling. My choice was always a xr2 with the cvh turbo upgrade. I don't know why everyone in the video keeps referring to the Peugeot 205 GTi as a reference point. My friend loved these cars but every time I was in them and driven at speed, it was twitchy and unnerving on the road. I was always waiting to be sent through a corner backwards with the lighter, rear end handling! (which happened a lot!). I preferred the S2 turbo handling, yes it was heavy at low speed but it was more predicable then the 205 GTi.......unless you gave the Escort RS turbo full throttle (upgraded 16psi boost) half way through a bend, then things got interesting! Great video and thanks for the upload!!! I had great memories of these cars but rust claimed them all in the end...Escort rs turbos's, cosworth, Astra gti 16v, Golf git (8v and 16v) but the happy memories can never be taken. I moved to Australia over 15years ago and drive a 2003 Asrta 2.2 SRi, it's looked after with its stupidly high milage but the rust is next to non--existence here. The car's body here last but the mechanical running has to keep getting replaced (opposite problem from the U.K).

[@grantmail4112]

These guys reviewing these cars is like a victor reviewing an acid house party.

[@KekeElBecko]

I'd love a Cossie Sierra, and agree that the Sapphire has a distinctive blend of blue collar sophistication. But I have a soft spot for the Escort RS Turbo.

[@murfsfrst]

I own a fiesta turbo, great car like the other two I’d have all 3 happily

[@Mindandsouls]

Fiesta rs without doubt the best to look at on the driveway, I would say that though seen as I own one & was my dads from new.

[@rustystuff]

I had the H reg Fiesta RS Turbo in that spec, oooh I loved that car!

[@kieranwhite6647]

Excellent content as ever! I'll have the Sierra please 👍

[@ClassicsWorldUK]

Thanks Kieran, great choice!

[@trevdean540]

The first thing we all did to them back in the day. Was chip & turn the boost up! Lol

[@martyldl6238]

S2 everytime for me 😊

[@beijingbond]

Good choice, guys.

[@pb5x5]

The Escort RS Turbo for a G-reg isn't that the wrong front bumper off the slightly earlier car?

[@ClassicsWorldUK]

It could well be...

[@wessmith3161]

I may be in the minority but the Fiesta Turbo doesn't do it for me, neither in looks or ability. The Sierra is a legend in both 3 door and Sapphire guise but I think I'd take the Escort, especially in black.

[@gerardbooth40]

Definitely not 'The Final Countdown' 😂 BTW, can I choose the Delta Integrale?

[@alexkav614]

Has a few fiesta xr2i’s and a fiesta rs turbo, looking for one now and can’t find a decent rs for under 15k

[@juliancarrero8765]

Buen video yo tengo uno RS turbo del 90 fiesta y lo tengo nuevo con la pintura de fabrica y es un coche que vuela hay pocos coches de. Su categoría y mallores que le puedan coger en prestaciones

[@paulmichael3844]

Why doesn’t the fiesta rs1800 get much reviews? I had one and was much quicker than a xr2i

[@matthewhocken9133]

For me, the Sierra for refinement and the Escort for hooliganism - the Fiesta looks great but I found the mk3 Fiesta really stodgy. Please can someone sort the drivers side headlight on the Fiesta, my OCD is kicking off!

[@GadgetMart]

Agree

[@andredowse394]

i would love to have all three, great video.

[@ClassicsWorldUK]

Thanks Andre!

[@justas525]

Sierra Saphire 4x4 Cosworth for me, please and thank you 😏😏

[@siraff4461]

I was lucky enough to be around when these were all over the place and most of them modified to some extent. Some looked silly but a lot were fast and cool. Nowadays I don't see much fast or cool stuff. Its all overpowered, massively heavy stuff - usually standard apart form the obligatory annoyance "tune" to make them pop and bang or its tiny engine'd stuff like Corsas which make no power and weigh almost as much as some Sierras. It makes me wonder who walks into a dealership and says to themself "yes - I really would like to pay half a mortgage to own something so boring that it could be considered a cure for insomnia".

[@davekennedy6315]

I love the AWD Saphire Cosworth, that'd defo be my model of choice. Obviously with a decent boost (sorry I had to!) in performance, maybe 300-350bhp.

[@iainmac6136]

Having been in all these cars I'd have to choose the integrale.

[@hermanmunster3358]

That must be a 1.6 XR2i, with a rated 108bhp. But there was also the 1.8 XR2i, with 130bhp, and 170+ Nm of torque, and 16 valves, which was a true competitor to the Golf GTi, A real little pocket rocket. Sadly, many got wrecked by boy racers who didn't have the skills to drive them properly. The 1.8 was always the more desirable version, and was probably more common. At least I remember seeing more 1.8's than 1.6's. What is it with the wrinkly A-pillars on MkIV Escorts? I have seen loads with this issue, and it looks really unsightly, like a sagging headliner. I had a white MkIII 1.6 Ghia, and it didn't have this issue. I remember I did paint the front grille and wing mirrors the same as the RS Turbo, and it did lift the look of the car. I also added a chunky 3 spoke leather steering wheel from an XR3, which was way better than the skinny, vinyl wrapped wheel that the car came with. The rest of the car was just standard Ghia though, I wasn't in to plastic body kits. I just wanted it to look SLIGHTLY different to the other Ghia's. I then bought a Sapphire 2.0i Ghia, which was a lovely drive, and quite quick I remember. But definitely a motorway cruiser, as opposed to a racer, due to the forgiving suspension. It was such a comfortable car to spend time in. So, I've owned a MkIII Escort, a Sierra Sapphire, and a MkII Fiesta XR2, but not an XR2i. I always wanted one though.

[@oliverp4115]

1.8 xr2i was 105bhp. It was the rs1800 that has 130. Unless you live in Europe and the 1.8 xr2i could be specced with either power variant like the Mk5 xr3i. For me I preferred the 8v with 108bhp. Peak power lower down and the blue stripes and badge did it for me.

[@giulianomarco]

Trigger! Valve cap missing on the Escort! 🤯👍

[@rob5944]

I only ever managed an Escort Popular and a Cavalier L. 😕

[@thomasdunn8923]

They 3 separate cars with a ford badge. Owned them all and all great cars.

[@bridonovan520]

Escort I drive one every day and love it

[@SA-zoom1]

4x4 Saff cossie. best allrounder Ford has ever made.

[@jayeshthanki]

No it wasn't 1990 Sierra Sapphire Cosworth release. The guy opposite my house had a silver G plate.

[@74aamer]

Ford is a classic the moment it leaves the factory

[@just_cruzn9673]

Would you like to review my 200sx s13 (ca18det) Midnight blue pearl (paint code: TH1) 2nd owner from new. Full service history. 100% OEM body, engine and interior

[@boostaholic7116]

I miss my Fiesta RST I couldn't afford to buy it back now though...🤣

[@robcossie3108]

Wrong sapphire for me, has to be a 2wd, also love a series 2 escort, lucky enough to currently own both. Would like a fiesta turbo also but with a T3 and the lsd off the escort.

[@JamieWilliamsJamminJamie]

Did anyone ever notice the wheels on an Escort RS Turbo? The wheels on both sides of the car point opposite ways because of the design, I wonder if that was a purposely made design or a cock-up in the design?

[@420somewhereG]

Class content new sub👍🏼👍🏼🚘

[@ClassicsWorldUK]

Thanks for joining!

[@RajinderKumar-lg4xz]

Out of the three id have to say the one I still have escort mk4 escort . After own all three and more than one of each . It some thing about the mk4 escort rs turbo that ford Dna have built at the time ahead of it time . Design performance and driving experience ahead of it time and time less

[@steve7535]

Only trouble with these cars when ever you give them some stick you were waiting for the bang from under the bonnet lots of head gaskets

[@robertwhitaker3779]

my next door neighbour had an Escort turbo........it wa s shit....My wife had a Delta Turbo. That was fantastic

[@mathewjohnson5090]

LSD in a series 1 rs turbo?? And 2wd sapphire did have the same 3 spoke steering wheel as the 3dr

[@matthewhocken9133]

Yes, first mass produced production car to do so....

[@marklannie9281]

Had an red RS turbo Escort followed by a moonstone 2WD Sapphire Cosworth and as much as I loved the escort the Sierra was far superior in every aspect.

[@raymoreton3184]

gosh that scared me a little a little bit i used to own a g plater s2 rst black with a similar plate g7 blah blah y blah blah it was pretty close to mine

[@stevesas632]

I'd definitely have a Lancia Delta HF Turbo over the Fiesta, & definitely have an Astra GTE 16v over the Escort, & definitely have a Lotus Carlton over the Sierra.

[@jamieo6828]

Got to be the fiesta for me

[@gjcgjc9912]

That escort needs a new clutch.

[@rogerpayne5336]

My least favorite would be the XR2 , then I'd have the Sapphire Cosworth , leaving the RS turbo. Not the best car of this trio but I like the wheels and the body-kit just suits the series 2 shape better than the rest.

[@tonyhunt857]

What xr2

[@rogerpayne5336]

@@tonyhunt857 Oops! RS Turbo :)

[@joaosabino2909]

Missing Ford Sierra XR8, Ford Capri Perana V8