Performance Review: Ford Escort XR3i - [1992]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford Escort Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford Escort XR3i is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1992. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1993 Jaguar XJ 220 S 3.5 V6 Turbo and the 1992 Bugatti EB110 SuperSport.This particular Ford Escort has a 1796cc 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 Front Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Golf R Performance 2.0 Turbo or the 2020 Toyota Avalon TRD 3.5 V6.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1090 kgs (2403 lbs) this makes the Ford Escort XR3i in the same weight category as the 2020 Lotus Exige Sport 410 3.5 V6 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 1796cc 16V St4 engine produces 129 bhp (96 kW) @ 6250 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 119 lb-ft (161.3 Nm) @ 4500 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 2003 Chevrolet Silverado SS 6.0 (143.3 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Escort.

The Ford Escort has a Power to weight ratio of 118.3 bhp per ton and 109.1 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1992 Escort competing with the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado SS 6.0 (143.3 bhp per ton) or the 1999 Ford Mondeo ST200 (143.2 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 109.1 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 2002 Toyota Camry 3.0 V6 (134.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 1985 Vauxhall-Opel Monza GSE 3.0 (133.8 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 8.50 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 8.8 secs, this made the Ford Escort XR3i as fast as the 2012 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.0 TDV6 (8.50 secs) the 2004 Land-Rover Discovery 3 4.4 V8 (8.50 secs) the 2000 Volkswagen-VW Golf GT TDi 150 (8.50 secs) the or the 1997 Peugeot 306 2.0 XSi (8.50 secs). This Ford Escort XR3i is also faster than the 2012 Jaguar XJ V6 (8.60 secs) the 2006 Land-Rover Range Rover Sport 3.6 TDV8 (8.60 secs) the 2004 Audi A4 1.8T Sport (8.60 secs) the and the 2003 Volkswagen-VW Golf 2.0 FSI (8.60 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Escort and the 1991 Audi Coupe S2 2.2T Quattro

When talking about the performance of the Ford Escort on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.43 secs @ 83.3 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1991 Audi Coupe S2 2.2T Quattro (16.36 secs), the 2000 Renault Clio 2.0 16V 172 Cup (16.36 secs), and the 2011 Vauxhall-Opel Corsa VXR OPC Nurburgring 1.6Turbo (16.37 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1992 version of the Ford Escort XR3i has a maximum speed of 126mph.

Top Speed of the 1992 Escort equals the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo (137 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1992 Ford Escort XR3i then how about the 2021 Porsche Taycan 4 Cross Turismo (137 mph), the 2020 Ford Puma ST 1.5 Turbo (137 mph), or the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.0 EcoBlue Wagon (137 mph).

Related Links:

1992 Escort Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison