Performance Review: Ford Escort RS 2000 4x4 MK5 - [1991]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford Escort Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford Escort RS 2000 4x4 MK5 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1991. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1991 Jaguar XJ R-15 6.0 V12 and the 1992 Bugatti EB110 SuperSport.This particular Ford Escort has a 1998cc 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 All Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the or the .

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1077 kgs (2374 lbs) this makes the Ford Escort RS 2000 4x4 MK5 in the same weight category as the 2018 Lotus Exige Cup 430 Type 25 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 1998cc 16V St4 engine produces 150 bhp (111 kW) @ 6000 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 St4 throws out 140 lb-ft (189.8 Nm) @ 4500 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 2016 Ford Fiesta ST 200 1.6 Turbo (159 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 1996 Porsche Boxster 2.5 Roadster (164.2 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Escort.

The Ford Escort has a Power to weight ratio of 139.2 bhp per ton and 129.9 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1991 Escort competing with the 1996 Porsche Boxster 2.5 Roadster (164.2 bhp per ton) or the 2002 Renault Clio 3.0 V6 230 (164.2 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 129.9 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 2011 Mini Cooper Cooper S (154.8 lb-ft per ton) or the 2013 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 V6 Supercharged (154.8 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.30 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.6 secs, this made the Ford Escort RS 2000 4x4 MK5 as fast as the 2007 Renault Megane Renaultsport 2.0 dCi 175 (8.30 secs) the 2005 Peugeot 407 3.0 V6 Coupe (8.30 secs) the 2005 Mazda MX5 1.8i (8.30 secs) the or the 2001 Volkswagen-VW Lupo 1.6 GTi (8.30 secs). This Ford Escort RS 2000 4x4 MK5 is also faster than the 2007 Seat Ibiza 1.8 20vt FR (8.40 secs) the 2006 Peugeot 207 CC GT (8.40 secs) the 2003 Vauxhall-Opel Astra 2.2 16V (8.40 secs) the and the 1996 Peugeot 106 16v GTi (8.40 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Escort and the 2017 BMW 5 Series 54.d xDrive Touring G31

When talking about the performance of the Ford Escort on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15.29 secs @ 89.5 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2017 BMW 5 Series 54.d xDrive Touring G31 (15.22 secs), the 1992 Mazda RX7 Turbo (15.23 secs), and the 2015 Ford Focus ST-3 2.0 Turbo Estate (15.24 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1991 version of the Ford Escort RS 2000 4x4 MK5 has a maximum speed of 129mph.

Top Speed of the 1991 Escort 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 1991 Ford Escort RS 2000 4x4 MK5 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:

1991 Escort Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison