Performance Review: Ford Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth 4x4 - [1990]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford Sierra Sapphire Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth 4x4 is the 5 speed / Manual version and was first brought out in 1990. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1991 Jaguar XJ R-15 6.0 V12 and the 1991 Jaguar XJ 220.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 All Wheel Drive, Saloon combination then how about the or the .

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1302 kgs (2870 lbs) this makes the Ford Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth 4x4 in the same weight category as the 2023 Pagani Utopia 6.0 V12 Twin Turbo 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 217 bhp (161 kW) @ 6250 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 214 lb-ft (290.1 Nm) @ 3500 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2022 Mini Cooper John Cooper Works Cabrio 2.0 Turbo (236 lb-ft) or the 2020 McLaren Sabre 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (206 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 2006 Audi A8 4.2 Quattro (191.6 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 166.6 bhp per ton and 164.3 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1990 Sierra Sapphire competing with the 2006 Audi A8 4.2 Quattro (191.6 bhp per ton) or the 2015 Seat Leon ST Cupra 280 (191.6 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 164.3 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 1994 Audi 80 RS2 Avant (189.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 1980 Porsche 928 S 4.7L V8 (189.3 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 5.60 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 5.8 secs, this made the Ford Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth 4x4 as fast as the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0T AWD (5.60 secs) the 2022 Volkswagen-VW Arteon 2.0T (5.60 secs) the 2020 Maserati Ghibli GranSport Petrol Hybrid (5.60 secs) the or the 2019 Tesla Model 3 Standard Range (5.60 secs). This Ford Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth 4x4 is also faster than the 2022 Hyundai i30 N Performance 2.0 Turbo (5.70 secs) the 2019 Ford Focus ST 2.3 EcoBoost Wagon (5.70 secs) the 2016 Volkswagen-VW Golf GTi 2.0 Turbo Clubsport (5.70 secs) the and the 2014 Renault Megane RenaultSport 275 Trophy (5.70 secs).

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

When talking about the performance of the Ford Sierra Sapphire 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 1990 version of the Ford Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth 4x4 has a maximum speed of 143mph.

Top Speed of the 1990 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 1990 Ford Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth 4x4 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:

1990 Sierra Sapphire Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison