Performance Review: Ford Escort MK1 RS2000 - [1973]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford Escort Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford Escort MK1 RS2000 is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1973. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1973 Monteverdi Hai 450 GTS and the 1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona.This particular Ford Escort has a 1993cc 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 914 kgs (2015 lbs) this makes the Ford Escort MK1 RS2000 in the same weight category as the 2020 Lotus Elise Sport 220 1.8 Supercharged or the give or take 50kg.

The Ford Escort shares the same bhp with the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (118 bhp)

In terms of power the 1993cc 8V St4 engine produces 100 bhp (74 kW) @ 5750 rpm similar to the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (118 bhp) or the 2013 Caterham 7 160/165 0.7L Turbo (79 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated St4 throws out 108 lb-ft (146.4 Nm) @ 3750 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 1981 Ford Capri 2.8i (134.4 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Escort.

The Ford Escort has a Power to weight ratio of 109.4 bhp per ton and 118.1 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1973 Escort competing with the 1981 Ford Capri 2.8i (134.4 bhp per ton) or the 1998 BMW 3 Series 330d Sports Saloon E46 (134.2 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 118.1 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 2015 Audi TT 1.8 TFSI Coupe (143.1 lb-ft per ton) or the 1988 Vauxhall-Opel Kadett 2.0 16V GSi (142.9 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 9.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 9.3 secs, this made the Ford Escort MK1 RS2000 as fast as 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 or the 2002 Land-Rover Range Rover V8 Vogue (9.00 secs). This Ford Escort MK1 RS2000 is also faster than the 2013 Skoda Rapid 1.4 tsi Spaceback (9.10 secs) the 1999 Citroen Saxo 1.6i VTR (9.10 secs) the 1990 Mazda MX5 1.6 (9.10 secs) the and the 1983 Vauxhall-Opel Nova 1.6i GTE (9.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Escort and the 1954 Ferrari 250 Europa

When talking about the performance of the Ford Escort on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 17.26 secs @ 79.3 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1954 Ferrari 250 Europa (17.19 secs), the 1997 Mitsubishi Pajero-Shogun Evolution 3.5 V6 (17.21 secs), and the 2008 Fiat 500 1.4 T-Jet Abarth Essessee (17.23 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1973 version of the Ford Escort MK1 RS2000 has a maximum speed of 110mph.

Top Speed of the 1973 Escort equals the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (121 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1973 Ford Escort MK1 RS2000 then how about the 2017 Ford Fiesta 1.5 TDCi ST-Line 120 (121 mph), the 2007 Toyota Yaris 1.8L TS (121 mph), or the 2004 Land-Rover Discovery 3 4.4 V8 (121 mph).

Related Links:

1973 Escort Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison