Performance Review: Ford Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth - [1988]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford Sierra Sapphire Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1988. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1989 Ferrari F40 LM Competizione 2.9 V8 Twin Turbo and the 1989 Dodge Viper 8.0L V10.This particular Ford Sierra Sapphire 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 Sapphire 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 Sapphire'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 1250 kgs (2755 lbs) this makes the Ford Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth in the same weight category as the 2020 Audi A1 A1 Sportback 35 TFSI S tronic S line or the give or take 50kg.

The Ford Sierra Sapphire 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 Sapphire you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2015 Seat Leon ST Cupra 280 DSG (188.2 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Sierra Sapphire.

The Ford Sierra Sapphire has a Power to weight ratio of 163.2 bhp per ton and 164.0 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1988 Sierra Sapphire competing with the 2015 Seat Leon ST Cupra 280 DSG (188.2 bhp per ton) or the 1993 BMW 3 Series M3 E36 (188.1 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 Sapphire generating around 164.0 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 2018 BMW X7 xDrive 50i 4.4 V8 Turbo (188.9 lb-ft per ton) or the 2007 Mazda 3 MPS 2.3T (188.8 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.80 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 6.0 secs, this made the Ford Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth as fast as the 2021 KIA K5 GT 2.5 Turbo (5.80 secs) the 2020 Toyota Camry TRD 3.5 V6 (5.80 secs) the 2017 Seat Leon ST Cupra 300 (5.80 secs) the or the 2017 Seat Leon ST Cupra 300 DSG (5.80 secs). This Ford Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth is also faster than the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Automatic Wagon (5.90 secs) the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Automatic (5.90 secs) the 2017 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (5.90 secs) the and the 2015 Seat Leon ST Cupra 280 (5.90 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Sierra Sapphire and the 1970 Plymouth AAR Cuda 340 V8

When talking about the performance of the Ford Sierra Sapphire on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 15 secs @ 91.2 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1970 Plymouth AAR Cuda 340 V8 (14.93 secs), the 2012 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works (14.94 secs), and the 2010 Audi A7 3.0 TFSI Quattro (14.94 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1988 version of the Ford Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth has a maximum speed of 143mph.

Top Speed of the 1988 Sierra Sapphire equals the 2023 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo (154 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1988 Ford Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth then how about the 2023 Porsche Cayenne 3.0 V6 Turbo (154 mph), the 2023 Porsche Cayenne Coupe 3.0 V6 Turbo (154 mph), or the 2019 Peugeot 508 PureTech 225 GT S and S (154 mph).

Related Links:

1988 Sierra Sapphire Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison