Performance Review: Ford RS200 1.8T 16V - [1985]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford RS200 Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford RS200 1.8T 16V is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1985. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1985 Lamborghini Countach LP5000S QV and the 1985 TVR 390 SE 3.9l V8.This particular Ford RS200 has a 1804cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

Alternative Petrol St4's includes the 2019 Ariel Atom 4 2.0 Turbo

The RS200 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 RS200's All Wheel Drive, Hatchback combination then how about the or the .

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1180 kgs (2601 lbs) this makes the Ford RS200 1.8T 16V in the same weight category as the 2018 McLaren Senna 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Ford RS200 shares the same bhp with the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp)

In terms of power the 1804cc 16V St4 engine produces 250 bhp (186 kW) @ 6000 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD (266 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 207 lb-ft (280.6 Nm) @ 4500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2020 Abarth 695 70th Anniversario 1.4 Turbo (184 lb-ft) or the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line (184 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Ford RS200 you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2005 Vauxhall-Opel Monaro 6.0 V8 VXR (236.7 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford RS200.

The Ford RS200 has a Power to weight ratio of 211.8 bhp per ton and 175.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1985 RS200 competing with the 2005 Vauxhall-Opel Monaro 6.0 V8 VXR (236.7 bhp per ton) or the 2000 Ford Mustang Cobra R 5.4 V8 (236.4 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 RS200 generating around 175.4 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 1984 Chevrolet Corvette C4 350 (200.2 lb-ft per ton) or the 1991 Bentley Continental R 6.8 V8 Turbo (200.1 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.2 secs, this made the Ford RS200 1.8T 16V as fast as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (5.00 secs) the 2022 Honda Civic Type R 2.0 Turbo FL5 (5.00 secs) the 2022 Toyota Corolla GR 1.6 Turbo (5.00 secs) the or the 2020 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works GP (5.00 secs). This Ford RS200 1.8T 16V is also faster than the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Ti 2.0 Turbo (5.10 secs) the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Q4 2.0L Turbo (5.10 secs) the 2017 Dodge Challenger RT 5.7 V8 (5.10 secs) the and the 2017 Dodge Charger Daytona 5.7 V8 370 (5.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the RS200 and the 1997 Honda NSX T 3.2 V6

When talking about the performance of the Ford RS200 on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 13.27 secs @ 103.1 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1997 Honda NSX T 3.2 V6 (13.21 secs), the 2006 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Type UK - Hawkeye (13.21 secs), and the 2019 Toyota Supra GR 3.0 Turbo (13.21 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1985 version of the Ford RS200 1.8T 16V has a maximum speed of 142mph.

Top Speed of the 1985 RS200 equals the 2014 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo (153 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1985 Ford RS200 1.8T 16V then how about the 2014 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works 2.0 Turbo (153 mph), the 2004 BMW X5 4.8is V8 (153 mph), or the 2002 Dodge Neon 2.4 SRT-4 (153 mph).

Related Links:

1985 RS200 Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison