Performance Review: Ford Sierra RS Cosworth - [1986]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford Sierra Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford Sierra RS Cosworth is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1986. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1987 Porsche 959 Turbo and the 1987 Ferrari F40 2.9 V8.This particular Ford Sierra has a 1993cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 4 cylinders in a St formation.

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

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

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1220 kgs (2689 lbs) this makes the Ford Sierra RS Cosworth in the same weight category as the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line or the give or take 50kg.

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

In terms of power the 1993cc 16V St4 engine produces 204 bhp (152 kW) @ 6000 rpm similar to the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (228 bhp) or the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (225 bhp).

The Turbo St4 throws out 205 lb-ft (277.9 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 Sierra you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2014 BMW 2 Series M235i Cabriolet F23 (192.2 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Sierra.

The Ford Sierra has a Power to weight ratio of 167.2 bhp per ton and 168.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1986 Sierra competing with the 2014 BMW 2 Series M235i Cabriolet F23 (192.2 bhp per ton) or the 2015 BMW 3 Series 340i xDrive F30 LCI (192.2 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 Sierra generating around 168.0 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 1979 Ford Mustang Cobra 5.0 V8 (193.0 lb-ft per ton) or the 1979 Ford Mustang 5.0 V8 Indianapolis 500 Pace Car Replica (193.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 6.20 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.4 secs, this made the Ford Sierra RS Cosworth as fast as the 2019 Toyota Supra SZ-R 2.0 Turbo (6.20 secs) the 2019 Toyota Supra SZ 2.0 Turbo (6.20 secs) the 2017 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0 TDi SCR 4Motion (6.20 secs) the or the 2014 Peugeot 208 Gti 1.6 Turbo 30th (6.20 secs). This Ford Sierra RS Cosworth is also faster than the 2024 Mazda CX-90 S 3.3 Turbo (6.30 secs) the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (6.30 secs) the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo 5 door (6.30 secs) the and the 2018 Ford Fiesta ST 1.5 Turbo (6.30 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Sierra and the 2017 Audi A3 S3 Saloon 2.0 Turbo

When talking about the performance of the Ford Sierra on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 14.34 secs @ 95.4 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2017 Audi A3 S3 Saloon 2.0 Turbo (14.28 secs), the 2018 Audi A3 S3 Saloon (14.28 secs), and the 2020 Toyota Camry TRD 3.5 V6 (14.28 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1986 version of the Ford Sierra RS Cosworth has a maximum speed of 149mph.

Top Speed of the 1986 Sierra equals the 2023 Lotus Eletre 603 bhp (160 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1986 Ford Sierra RS Cosworth then how about the 2023 Lotus Eletre 603 bhp (160 mph), the 2022 Lotus Eletre S 603 bhp (160 mph), or the 2009 Lotus Evora 3.5 V6 (160 mph).

Related Links:

1986 Sierra Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison