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Escort RS1600
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RS2600 |
Escort RS1600i |
RS200 |
Escort RS Turbo |
Sierra RS Cosworth |
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RS500 Cosworth |
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| RS - THE RALLYE SPORT HERITAGE |
BRENTWOOD, Essex, 3 July, 2008 – Since 1970, the RS (Rallye Sport) badge has identified Ford's highest-performing road cars.
The Rallye Sport name has been applied to 21 models, which often proved their worth by winning in motorsport as well as in the market-place. Along with the "ST" badge, the "RS" designation has never been applied lightly, with each and every RS model and derivative offering a special blend of performance, roadholding, vehicle safety, refinement - and great value for money.
RS-badged Fords have been built in many different forms. There have been front-engined and mid-engined types; front-wheel-drive, rear-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive cars; and four-cylinder or six-cylinder engines, either normally-aspirated or turbocharged.
Many have used wind-tunnel testing to evolve innovative aerodynamic features, such as the rear aerofoils fitted to Sierra and Escort RS Cosworths. All have pushed the boundaries of technology, and have provided exceptional stability and handling.
The original RS-badged Ford was the 1970 Ford Escort RS1600, the first-ever Ford road car to use a 16-valve twin-overhead-camshaft engine, and the first to be assembled in the new Advanced Vehicle Operation factory at Aveley, in Essex. It also became the first Ford model to be sold through an expanding network of specialised Rallye Sport dealerships.
Like many RS models, the RS1600 (and its close relation, the single-cam engined RS2000) matched its success in the market place with wins in races and rallies, including the East African Safari rally of 1972, three RAC rallies, and the European Touring Car Championship of 1974.
The Ford Capri RS2600 and RS3100 models were high-powered flagship versions of Ford's best-selling coupe range of the 1970s, which also won scores of races, including the European Touring Car Championships of 1971 and 1972.
In the late 1970s, the distinctively-styled quad-headlamp Ford Escort RS2000 became the best-selling RS model of all time, while the Ford Escort RS1800 won more rallies than any other British car. It won the World Rally Championship for Makes in 1979 and provided power for both Bjorn Waldegard (1979) and Ari Vatanen (1981) to win the Drivers' titles. Such Escorts are still popular among rallying clubmen.
In the 1980s the front-wheel-drive RS1600i was the first Escort to use a fuel-injected engine, and the first to use a five-speed gearbox, while the RS Turbo of 1984 was the first to use a turbocharged engine, and a viscous-coupling limited-slip differential. Both models became successful in Touring Car racing, especially the RS Turbo, whose 1.6-litre engine could produce up to 270bhp.
The mid-engined RS200, of which only 200 cars were ever made between 1984 and 1986, was an impressive two-seat supercar, intended for Group B rallying. It featured a race-bred steel and carbon-fibre chassis, a turbocharged Cosworth BDT engine and four-wheel-drive. Strikingly styled, the RS200 was exclusive and the most expensive RS model so far.
During the 1980s, the Cosworth YB-engined 150mph Sierra RS Cosworth family became so successful as fast, value-for-money, road cars that they became a target for thieves. The RS500 derivatives (of which just 500 examples were built) were so dominant in motor racing that the rules of entire Championships had to be re-cast to make sure they did not win every race, every time.
Even so, and before this could be done, the 500bhp RS500 race cars won the World Touring Car Championship in 1987, the European Touring Car Championship in 1988, along with hundreds of successes at National level.
The final Sierra RS Cosworth of 1990 had a sophisticated four-wheel-drive powertrain and a shortened version of that car’s chassis platform, along with a 227bhp engine, was used in the Escort RS Cosworth three-door hatchback. This car's extrovert aerodynamic package ensured positive downforce at all road speeds.
In the mid-1990s the Escort RS Cosworth returned Ford to the top of the rally standings, including victory in the 1994 Monte Carlo Rally - and it also inspired the birth of the Escort World Rally Car of 1997-1998, which brought that pedigree to a nostalgic close.
During the 1990s, two superfast versions of the front-wheel-drive Ford Fiesta were marketed - the RS Turbo with a turbocharged CVH engine, the RS1800 with the award-winning 1.8-litre Zetec 16-valve twin-cam unit.
At the same time the distinctive front-wheel-drive 2.0-litre Escort RS2000 became the first Ford to use the smooth and torquey 16-valve engine which was later fitted to many Scorpio and Galaxy models. A later derivative, which also carried the RS badge, the RS2000 4x4, was the first of the 1990s Escort family to use four-wheel-drive.
No sooner had the Focus been introduced, than work began on a high-performance RS version. To match the much-praised front-wheel-drive chassis of the Focus, this model, equipped with a turbocharged 212 bhp derivative of the Ford Duratec engine, and a sophisticated transmission, offered 143mph performance with impressive levels of traction and roadholding.
The Ford RS brand has gained tremendous respect over the years and the new-generation Focus RS upholds the tradition of the high-performance Ford engineered for the true enthusiast.
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Escort RS Cosworth |
Fiesta S1800 |
Focus RS 2002 |
Focus RS 2009 |
Ford RS models:
| Escort RS1600 |
1970 |
| Capri RS2600 |
1970 |
| Escort RS2000 |
1973 |
| Capri RS3100 |
1973 |
| Escort RS1800 |
1975 |
| Escort RS Mexico |
1976 |
| Escort RS2000 Mk II |
1976 |
| Escort RS1600i |
1981 |
| Escort RS Turbo |
1984 |
| RS200 |
1984 |
| Sierra RS Cosworth |
1986 |
| Escort Rs Turbo (Mk IV) |
1986 |
| Sierra RS500 Cosworth |
1987 |
| Sierra RS Cosworth |
1988 |
| Sierra RS Cosworth 4x4 |
1990 |
| Fiesta RS Turbo |
1990 |
| Escort RS2000 |
1991 |
| Escort RS Cosworth |
1992 |
| Fiesta RS1800 |
1992 |
| Escort RS2000 4x4 |
1993 |
| Focus RS |
2002 |
| Focus RS |
2009 |
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| The Birth of the Ford Fiesta |
Even if Ford Executives had been considering a small world car since the late 1960s it was only in the 1970s that this project came into life.
Back in the 1973, the energy crisis together with growing taxes and inflation led to a market demand for cheaper and smaller automobiles. From these needs, Ford developed a prototype named Bobcat, which would serve as a basis for the new car, to compete in the European market against modern compact cars like the Fiat 127 and Renault R5.
Ford Fiesta Mark I (1976-1983)
In 1976 Ford revealed its creation. Available with 1.0, 1.1 and 1.3 liter petrol engines, the new Fiesta was immediately a a successful "world car".
In 1979 Ford produced the one millionth Fiesta. In 1981 a sporty version was introduced: the Fiesta XR2 featured a 1.6 liters engine delivering 84 hp.
The Fiesta was also sold in the United States for a short period (1978-1980) but its small size made it unsuitable for that market.
Ford Fiesta Mark II (1983-1989)
At the end of 1983 Ford launches the second generation (Mark 2) of its successful world car. It was basically a facelift of the original model but it's enough to make it the top-selling car in UK and best-seller in Europe.
1986 Ford Fiesta Stepless CTX Automatic transmission The new Fiesta achieved a drag coefficient of 0.40 (0.42 for the prevoius model) and had more comfort and a better fuel economy. The 1.6 liter diesel-powered Fiesta was one of the most economical vehicles of the time, thanks to a homologated consumption of 3.8 liter/100 km.
In 1984 production hit the three million figure. However, at the end of the '80s, a new model was becoming necessary to keep on competing against more modern cars like the Opel Corsa.
Ford Fiesta Mark III (1989-1997)
The third generation of Fiesta had a completely new body shell. The main changes in the model range were the introducion of the 5-doors body, the addition of the fuel injection for the XR2 sporty version (named XR2i) and a turbocharged model with a top speed of 210 km/h.
During the 1990's the specification was improved (ABS, electric windows, airbags), and in 1992 Ford introduced the Zetec engines.
Ford Fiesta Mark IV (1995–1999)
In 1995 Ford launched the fourth generation: it had new chassis and suspension, a new exterior design with smoother surfaces and full safety features (4-channels ABS with electronic force distribution, TCS).
Even the interior was heavily revised. The range made extensive use of the Zetec engines, available in 1.25 L, 1.4 L and later, 1.6 L forms.
The Fiesta Mk-4 was also sold under by Mazda as the 121 model. The original design of the front end was unconvincing, and after four years of life the fifth generation was released.
Ford Fiesta Mark V (1999-2002)
The Fiesta Mk-5 was a minor restyling of its predecessor. The front end had a new design more similar to that of the oder Ford models, and with a "New Edge" style.
Anyway in the side view the profile was still unmistakably "Fiesta". The doors frame with its thin pillars was a strong link to the past.
The restyled Fiesta had a short life: Ford had already planned to unveil the all-new generation of its compact car.
Ford Fiesta Mark VI (2002–2005)
The new Fiesta features a brand new image: a modern and solid design with reminiscences of the best-selling Focus model. And for the first time there are no links to the original 1976 Fiesta.
Engines available include 1.25 L, 1.3 L, 1.4 L, 1.6 L, 2.0 L petrol (gasoline), plus 1.4 and 1.6 TDCi (common rail diesel engines developed in a joint venture with PSA).
A facelifted version, with an exterior restyle and a new soft-feel dashboard went on sale in November 2005.
A top-seller in UK
"The popularity of the Fiesta is defined by its amazing sales success," said Steve Hood, Ford of Britain's Marketing Director. "It's been in the top 10 best selling cars in Britain since 1977 – a feat unmatched by any other car. In 1990, 1991 and 1996 to 1998 the Fiesta was Britain's best selling car outright, and in its best-ever year, 1987, over 150,000 Fiesta models were sold in Britain," he added.
Today, 30 years on, with a 14.2 per cent segment share (full year 2005), the Fiesta remains the UK's most popular choice among private 'retail' customers in the supermini sector. With annual sales of almost 84,000, Fiesta also ranks as the fifth overall best-selling car in the UK.
So what else has changed in 30 years? Though the term "eco" meant little in 1976, the Fiesta's impressive fuel economy and low emissions were already making a significant environmental contribution, well before such performance became a requirement. However, today's ultra-clean and environmentally friendly Fiesta puts the first models into perspective.
It would, for example, take 50 new Fiestas to produce the same toxic emissions as a single Mk I in 1976. Unlike the original Fiesta, the current version is 85 per cent recyclable, too. And while the Mk I was notably economical for its era, it could hardly have matched the ability of the current Ford Fiesta to travel the 650 miles from London to Inverness on a single tank of fuel.
Ford Fiesta Timeline
• 1973 Project Bobcat - Fiesta under development.
• 1976 Mk I launched in 1.0- and 1.1-litre Ghia form.
• 1978 Fiesta wins British Design Council Efficiency Award.
• 1979 Millionth Fiesta built for worldwide sales. Special sporty version enters Monte Carlo Rally - this would become the XR2
• 1983 Mk II launched with fifth gear. 1.6 litre diesel becomes first in class.
• 1984 First Fiesta runs on lead-free petrol.
• 1987 Best sales year just under 154,000 Fiesta were sold in Britain
• 1989 Mk III launched with anti-lock brakes and lean-burn engines.
• 1990 135PS RS Turbo launched
• 1994 Driver airbags standard.
• 1995 Mk IV launched with Zetec engines. Dual airbags standard.
• 2002 Five-door version of sixth generation Fiesta launched.
• 2003 Three-door version
• 2005 150PS Fiesta ST launched – most powerful to date
• 2006 MK VII launched with voice activation and Bluetooth
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1976 Ford Fiesta Design Study
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1976 Ford Fiesta Design Study |
1976 Ford Fiesta Cutaway |
1976 Ford Fiesta |
1981 Ford Fiesta XR2 |
1983 Ford Fiesta L and Ghia |
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1986 Ford Fiesta Stepless CTX Automatic transmission |
1990 Ford Fiesta |
1995 Ford Fiesta |
1995 Ford Fiesta |
2000 Ford Fiesta |
2006 Ford Fiesta |
2006 Ford Fiesta |
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The Ford Ka is a city car from the Ford Motor Company marketed in Europe and elsewhere. The name is officially pronounced as /kɑː/ (that is, like "car" in non-rhotic dialects of English) as can be heard in Ford's advertising. The European version is produced in Valencia, Spain, while the one sold in Latin America is built in Brazil and Argentina.
It has been produced since 1996 and is due to enter its second generation in 2009.
First generation (1996–present)
The car was introduced on September 11, 1996 as a small and low-cost addition to the Ford range. The Ka is based on the same platform as the Mark III Ford Fiesta, but with a radically different external design. Because the Mark IV Fiesta was bigger than the Mark III, the Ka used the Mark III Fiesta's platform. The vehicle was manufactured on the production facility of Almussafes, Valencia. When the Ka was first introduced to the public it provoked mixed reactions due to its original and striking New Edge design, created by Jack Telnack.
Besides the styling, the Ka, like its sister cars Fiesta and Puma, was lauded in the motoring press for its nimble handling. Under Richard Parry-Jones's supervision, the suspension and steering settings allowed for spirited cornering and high levels of grip making it one of the best handling cars of the current generation superminis, not unlike the original Mini.
The main drawback was the Ka's 1300 cc OHV four-cylinder Endura-E engine, a design dating back to the 1960s Kent engine used in the Ford Anglia. Although not very modern, it provided enough torque to allow relaxed if not spirited driving. In 2002, the Endura-E was replaced by the overhead cam Duratec engine, with claims of improved fuel efficiency and increased refinement, mostly caused by taller gearing on the non-air conditioned models.
The Ka has proved highly profitable for Ford despite its low selling price, largely due to the lack of spending required in its development. It has been the best selling car in its class in the United Kingdom for a number of years and commands around a fifth of the city car market.
The Ka in the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom model range consisted of the standard version, the Ka, and the higher specification Ka². The Ka³ was introduced later. Initially, all Kas were delivered as the standard model and upgraded to the higher variants at Ford dealerships, saving on production costs. However, this practice was dropped following the renaming of the Ka² and Ka³ as the Ka Collection and the LuxuryKa (later Ka Luxury).
These offered colour-coded bumpers for the first time, although this lost the designer's original intention of the black plastic bumpers avoiding parking damage to paintwork in city conditions. The Luxury version came with a Quickclear heated windscreen, leather seats and interior trim as well as standard air conditioning and Ka Sun Collection with a full-length fabric folding roof was also added to the range during the summer months. A revised line-up gives Ka the following trim levels in the United Kingdom: Studio, Style, Style Climate, Zetec Climate, and SportKa SE. Furthermore, acknowledging the car's impending replacement, as of May 2008, a Finale special edition is available with distinguishing features.
Famous Manchester United footballer Wayne Rooney is known to own one.
The Ka in Latin America (1997–2008)
In Latin America, the Ka received a facelift in 2003 and is now slightly different externally to the European model; the main noticeable difference is at the rear, with taller lights. The other differences from the European model are the very short gearbox and the lack of soundproofing, gradually removed each year since 2000 as a way to cut down costs, following what other Brazilian car makers previously did. It is powered by either a 95hp (71kW) Zetec Rocam 1.6-litre petrol engine or a 65hp (48kW) Zetec Rocam 1.0-litre petrol engine, both of which are four-cylinder units. 108,600 Kas have been sold in Brazil since July 2002, without counting the sales since 1997 (its launch in Brazil).
Ford presented the new Brazilian Ka on 14 December 2007. Sales started on 2 January 2008 in Brazil, and the car will be exported to other markets in Latin America. The car has a longer rear overhang to accommodate a fifth passenger. With a length of 3835mmm, it now fits in the subcompact car class.
Mexico
The Ford Ka was officially discontinued in Mexico in early January 2008 due to poor sales since its introduction in late November 2001. The Mexican Ford Ka was the Brazilian model; it has also been announced that the new Brazilian Ka will not be offered in the Mexican market .
StreetKa and SportKa
In 2003 the Ka brand was diversified, with the addition of a new SportKa featuring a sporty body kit, wider track with stiffened suspension and redesigned 16" alloy wheels. Both models came with slightly widened bumpers front and rear with integral fog lamps. A convertible model called StreetKa also appeared, launched with the help of pop singer Kylie Minogue.
In 2005 all Ka models including Sportka and Streetka received a slightly updated interior bringing the cabin back up to date while still retaining the look and feel of the original. Both Streetka and Sportka received a new 95hp 1.6-litre 8-valve Duratec petrol engine, whereas Ka, Ka Collection and LuxuryKa retained the 1.3 Duratec petrol engine.
The SportKa was noted for its surprising advertising campaign, "The Ka's Evil Twin", denouncing the Ka's traditionally perceived "cute" design.
StreetKa ceased to be officially on sale in late 2006.
A Ford KA rally championship was created in 1998 and has proved to be one of the most popular junior rally championships in Britain and Ireland. In 2007 Luke Pinder won the BRC Silverstone Tyre 1400 Championship in a Chris Birkbeck Ford KA.
Second generation (2009)
In 2009 the Ka is being replaced with a model co-developed with Fiat S.p.A using the Fiat Panda platform. It will be produced in Tychy, Poland with its Fiat sister, the Fiat 500.
The new Ka maintains the curvy styling features of the original, while bringing the look up to date with Ford's Kinetic Design philosophy. It retains the wheel at every corner design; therefore this modern interpretation will be instantly recognisable. Ford promises a cabin featuring 'expressive colours'. This mostly refers to the multichoice interior styling that is provided for the second time in Ford, right after the success of Fiesta's interior design. In addition, the interior can be equipped with hi-tech accessories, such as the Bluetooth connection, wireless voice control, a USB port, a CD Radio-MP3, the AUX connector, the steering wheel controls and at last, a subwoofer and amplifier with 6 high-performance speakers. There are also 3 "individual packs" with special charateristics each (in both the interior and exterior design), called Tattoo, Grand Prix and Digital.
The new Ka comes with 2 different engines, a 1.2 petrol of 69PS-102Nm torque and a 1.3 TDCi diesel engine of 75PS-145Nm torque, used for the first time in KA and shared with the Fiat 500. Both of them come with sub-120g/km CO2 emmissions (119 for the petrol and 112 for the diesel), making them environmental-friendly. Further more, a 1.4 petrol engine of 100PS-131Nm torque is about to be fitted-on in future. Ford has developed new KA's driving abilities further than Fiat 500, to match with the Ford high-driving standards. New KA has better bump-absorption, fitting a rear anti-rollbar having enabled Ford's engineers to soften the springs by 30 percent and retune the dampers accordingly. Comfort levels, grip, and sheer involvement all benefit. Changes to the steering geometry also give the Ka more linear responses than the 500, although it lacks the communication of it's predecessor. This is because new KA is fitted with standard EPAS: Electric Power-Assisted Steering, which makes it much lighter and ideal for in-city driving. It's also helping save CO2 emmissions, because without hydraulics being involved, there's no pump requiring extra energy .
As for safety, the new KA has an overall EuroNCAP rate of 4 stars , with standard driver and passenger single-stage front airbags, ABS, Immobiliser, hazard warning lights (all turn indicators flash when emergency braking is applied) and remote-controled cenral double locking (except Studio version in UK which). In addition, there are front side airbags and curtain airbags and ESP (Electronic Stability Program) with HBA (Hyraulic Brake Assist) and HLA (Hill Launch Assist) that come at an extra cost.
The new Ka made its on-screen debut in Quantum of Solace, being driven by Olga Kurylenko in the 22nd James Bond film, and was unveiled in October 2008's Paris Motor Show.
It was confirmed in a radio interview with Ford Motor Company CEO Alan Mulally that the second generation Ka may be introduced to the North American market to satisfy the high demand for smaller, more efficient cars, and to compliment rising sales of the Ford Focus. Such a move would make the Ka Ford's smallest vehicle in North America, beneath the Fiesta.
In popular culture
For several years a modified Ford Ka was installed in the lobby of the London Aquarium to promote Ford's sponsorship of the attraction. The vehicle's doors, windows and vents were sealed and the interior filled with water, forming a home for a shoal of goldfish. The car's number plates read "KARP", a pun on "Ka" and "carp", to which family goldfish belong. The display has now been removed.
According to the BBC TV's Top Gear Cool Wall, the Ford Ka collects a 'Cool' rating, while the StreetKa enjoys a 'Sub Zero' classification. The SportKa is deemed 'Uncool'.
The Ford SportKa found fame in 2003 with the release of two viral TV adverts: Pigeon and Cat. Ford and advertising agency Ogilvy Mather distanced themselves from the campaign, saying that the creatives behind the advertisements had not been given the go-ahead to make or release them
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