Performance Review: Ford Escort Mk2 RS1800 - [1975]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford Escort Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford Escort Mk2 RS1800 is the 4 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1975. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1976 Porsche 911 Carrera 3.0 and the 1975 Lotus Esprit S1 2.0.This particular Ford Escort has a 1845cc 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 Mk2 RS1800 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 2022 Mini Cooper Countryman John Cooper Works 1.5 Turbo (134 bhp)

In terms of power the 1845cc 16V St4 engine produces 115 bhp (85 kW) @ 6000 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 120 lb-ft (162.6 Nm) @ 4000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2013 Renault Captur 1.2 Turbo TCe 120 EDC (140 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 2017 Subaru Forester 2.0 XT Premium (150.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Escort.

The Ford Escort has a Power to weight ratio of 125.8 bhp per ton and 131.2 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1975 Escort competing with the 2017 Subaru Forester 2.0 XT Premium (150.8 bhp per ton) or the 1999 Audi TT 1.8T 225 (150.8 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 131.2 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 1996 BMW Z3 E36 2.8L Roadster (155.9 lb-ft per ton) or the 2001 Ford Thunderbird 4.0L V8 (155.9 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 Mk2 RS1800 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 Mk2 RS1800 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 1989 Mercedes SL Class 500SL R129

When talking about the performance of the Ford Escort on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.48 secs @ 83.0 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1989 Mercedes SL Class 500SL R129 (16.40 secs), the 1977 Porsche 928 4.5 V8 (16.42 secs), and the 2006 Seat Leon 1.8 20vt Cupra R 210 (16.42 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1975 version of the Ford Escort Mk2 RS1800 has a maximum speed of 111mph.

Top Speed of the 1975 Escort equals the 2005 Mazda MX5 1.8i (122 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1975 Ford Escort Mk2 RS1800 then how about the 2005 Mazda MX5 1.8i (122 mph), the 1997 Ford Puma 1.7 16V (122 mph), or the 1985 Ford Escort Mk4 RS Turbo (122 mph).

Related Links:

1975 Escort Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison