Performance Review: Ford Escort MK1 RS1600 - [1970]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford Escort Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford Escort MK1 RS1600 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 1599cc 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 785 kgs (1730 lbs) this makes the Ford Escort MK1 RS1600 in the same weight category as the 2011 KTM X-Bow R 2.0 Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

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

In terms of power the 1599cc 8V St4 engine produces 113 bhp (84 kW) @ 6500 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp) or the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (118 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 105 lb-ft (142.3 Nm) @ 4000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2012 Mini Cooper Paceman (118 lb-ft) or the 2012 Lexus CT 200h 1.8L (105 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 1982 Lamborghini Jalpa 350 S (168.9 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Escort.

The Ford Escort has a Power to weight ratio of 143.9 bhp per ton and 133.7 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1970 Escort competing with the 1982 Lamborghini Jalpa 350 S (168.9 bhp per ton) or the 2012 BMW X6 M50d E71 (168.9 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 133.7 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 2008 Volkswagen-VW Scirocco 2.0 TSI GT (158.7 lb-ft per ton) or the 1998 Fiat Punto 1.8 16V HGT Abarth (158.6 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.90 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 9.2 secs, this made the Ford Escort MK1 RS1600 as fast as the 2008 Audi A4 1.8T Avant (8.90 secs) the 2005 Suzuki Swift 1.6 VVT Sport (8.90 secs) the 2000 Vauxhall-Opel Omega 3.2 V6 Automatic (8.90 secs) the or the 1990 Volvo 940 2.3 Turbo (8.90 secs). This Ford Escort MK1 RS1600 is also faster than the 2012 Mini Cooper SD Paceman (9.00 secs) the 2007 Ford Taurus AWD 3.5 V6 (9.00 secs) the 2004 Vauxhall-Opel Corsa 1.8 GSi (9.00 secs) the and the 2002 Land-Rover Range Rover V8 Vogue (9.00 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Escort and the 2002 Infiniti G35 Sport Coupe

When talking about the performance of the Ford Escort on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.82 secs @ 86.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2002 Infiniti G35 Sport Coupe (15.75 secs), the 2007 Renault Megane Renaultsport 230 F1 Team R26R (15.75 secs), and the 2007 Renault Megane Renaultsport 230 F1 Team R26 (15.75 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1970 version of the Ford Escort MK1 RS1600 has a maximum speed of 113mph.

Top Speed of the 1970 Escort equals the 2015 Renault Megane Energy TCe 205 GT 1.6 Turbo (124 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 RS1600 then how about the 2015 Renault Megane Energy TCe 205 GT 1.6 Turbo (124 mph), the 2012 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 TDV6 (124 mph), or the 2012 Mini Cooper SD Paceman (124 mph).

Related Links:

1970 Escort Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison