Performance Review: Ford Escort MK1 Mexico RS - [1970]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford Escort Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford Escort MK1 Mexico RS is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1970. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1970 Monteverdi Hai 450 SS and the 1970 Iso Grifo Can-Am 7.4 V8.This particular Ford Escort has a 1595cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

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

The Escort 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 Escort's Rear Wheel Drive, Saloon 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 903 kgs (1990 lbs) this makes the Ford Escort MK1 Mexico RS in the same weight category as the 2013 Alfa-Romeo 4C 1.8 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Ford Escort shares the same bhp with the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 bhp)

In terms of power the 1595cc 8V St4 engine produces 86 bhp (64 kW) @ 5750 rpm similar to the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 bhp) or the 2012 Lexus CT 200h 1.8L (98 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 93 lb-ft (126.0 Nm) @ 4000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 lb-ft) or the 2012 Mini Cooper Paceman (118 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

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

The 1991 Audi 80 2.8 E V6 Quattro (120.2 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Escort.

The Ford Escort has a Power to weight ratio of 95.2 bhp per ton and 102.9 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1970 Escort competing with the 1991 Audi 80 2.8 E V6 Quattro (120.2 bhp per ton) or the 1980 Renault 18 1.6 Turbo (120.1 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 Escort generating around 102.9 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 2004 Land-Rover Discovery 3 4.4 V8 (127.9 lb-ft per ton) or the 1980 Renault 18 1.6 Turbo (127.8 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 11.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 11.9 secs, this made the Ford Escort MK1 Mexico RS as fast as the 1956 Austin-Healey 100 SIX BN4 (11.50 secs) the 1973 Chevrolet Chevelle-Malibu SS 350 Coupe 2nd Gen (11.60 secs) the 1970 Triumph Stag 3.0 V8 Convertible Mk1 (11.60 secs) the or the 2012 Fiat 500 L TwinAir Turbo (11.70 secs). This Ford Escort MK1 Mexico RS is also faster than the 1973 Chevrolet Chevelle-Malibu SS 350 Coupe 2nd Gen (11.60 secs) the 1970 Triumph Stag 3.0 V8 Convertible Mk1 (11.60 secs) the 2012 Fiat 500 L TwinAir Turbo (11.70 secs) the and the 1980 Ford Thunderbird 300 4.9L V8 8th Gen (11.90 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Escort and the 2009 Peugeot RCZ 1.6 THP 200 GT

When talking about the performance of the Ford Escort on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 18.08 secs @ 75.7 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2009 Peugeot RCZ 1.6 THP 200 GT (18.01 secs), the 1961 Ford Thunderbird 390 Convertible 3rd Gen. (18.01 secs), and the 2019 Peugeot 508 PureTech 225 GT S and S (18.01 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1970 version of the Ford Escort MK1 Mexico RS has a maximum speed of 103mph.

Top Speed of the 1970 Escort equals the 2005 Ford Fiesta 1.6 Zetec S (114 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1970 Ford Escort MK1 Mexico RS then how about the 2005 Ford Fiesta 1.6 Zetec S (114 mph), the 1995 Caterham Super 7 1.4 Supersport (114 mph), or the 1990 Mazda MX5 1.6 (114 mph).

Related Links:

1970 Escort Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison