Retro Review: MotorWeek on the ’93 Ford Escort RS Cosworth
By Mike Garcia
The 1993 Ford Escort RS Cosworth is the performance hatchback we wish we had.
Ford has put the Fiesta ST and Focus ST on the market in the past few years. With growing demand for performance hatchbacks, the Focus RS is coming out soon as well. Prior to those models, was the model that put them on the map, the Escort RS Cosworth.
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The idea of turbo-charged 4-cylinder engines, all-wheel-drive, and a manual transmission is a combination made over 20 years ago. That combination provides power and stability on all different types of road conditions. Blend that performance mix together into a hatchback body, and you’ve got a performance grocery-getter with practicality.
The Ford Escort RS Cosworth comes with a 2.0 liter turbo-charged engine, capable of 227 horsepower.
Motorweek headed out to the U.K. to review the car. What a performer! Power goes to the ground through two viscous differentials, one in the center, and one in the rear. This maximizes stability and allows the power to transfer where the grip is. Inducing slides is not easy, and makes the driving experience more manageable on slippery conditions.
With a estimated curb weight of 2,800 lbs., the Escort RS has a 0-60mph time under six seconds.
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Unfortunately, the U.S. market wasn’t ready for this type of performance vehicle. There are other hatchbacks available in the United Kingdom that still aren’t available in the U.S. We don’t get Renault Clio Trophy vehicles. We don’t get the updated Citroen DS3 hatchback. We don’t even have the opportunity to get overpowered hot hatch Alfa Romeo 147 V6 or Fiat Coupe 20V Turbo.
What we do have is the latest in great hatchbacks from Ford, and we have the ’93 Ford Escort RS Cosworth to thank.