Performance Review: Ford Sierra XR4X4 - [1989]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford Sierra Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford Sierra XR4X4 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1989. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1989 Ferrari F40 LM Competizione 2.9 V8 Twin Turbo and the 1989 Dodge Viper 8.0L V10.This particular Ford Sierra has a 2933cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 6 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V6's includes the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo

The Sierra shares its Petrol V6 engine configuration with the likes of the 2014 Radical RXC 3.5 V6 Twin Turbo and the 2015 Radical RXC Turbo 500 3.5 V6. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Sierra's All Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the or the .

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1290 kgs (2843 lbs) this makes the Ford Sierra XR4X4 in the same weight category as the 2023 Pagani Utopia 6.0 V12 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Ford Sierra shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 2933cc 12V V6 engine produces 150 bhp (111 kW) @ 5700 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (148 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V6 throws out 172 lb-ft (233.2 Nm) @ 3000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (162 lb-ft) or the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (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 2000 Vauxhall-Opel Astra Coupe Turbo (141.2 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Sierra.

The Ford Sierra has a Power to weight ratio of 116.2 bhp per ton and 133.3 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1989 Sierra competing with the 2000 Vauxhall-Opel Astra Coupe Turbo (141.2 bhp per ton) or the 2008 Abarth 500 Opening Edition 1.4 Turbo (141.0 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 133.3 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 2011 Vauxhall-Opel Corsa VXR OPC Nurburgring 1.6Turbo (158.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 1990 Ferrari Mondial t (158.3 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.60 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.9 secs, this made the Ford Sierra XR4X4 as fast as the 2012 Jaguar XJ V6 (8.60 secs) the 2006 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.6 TDV8 (8.60 secs) the 2004 Audi A4 1.8T Sport (8.60 secs) the or the 2003 Volkswagen-VW Golf 2.0 FSI (8.60 secs). This Ford Sierra XR4X4 is also faster than the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (8.70 secs) the 2011 Renault Twingo 1.6 133 Renaultsport Cup (8.70 secs) the 2009 Peugeot RCZ 2.0 HDi 200 GT (8.70 secs) the and the 2003 Lancia Thesis 3.2 V6 24v Comfortronic (8.70 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Sierra and the 2007 Vauxhall-Opel Corsa 1.6 VXR

When talking about the performance of the Ford Sierra on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.18 secs @ 84.6 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2007 Vauxhall-Opel Corsa 1.6 VXR (16.10 secs), the 2003 Seat Leon 1.8 20vt Cupra R 225 (16.10 secs), and the 2010 Citroen DS3 Racing 200 (16.12 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1989 version of the Ford Sierra XR4X4 has a maximum speed of 129mph.

Top Speed of the 1989 Sierra equals the 2021 BMW i4 M50 (140 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1989 Ford Sierra XR4X4 then how about the 2021 BMW i4 M50 (140 mph), the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (140 mph), or the 2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus (140 mph).

Related Links:

1989 Sierra Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison