‘89 Ford Sierra RS Cosworth: Euro Performance Meets Family Sedan
Sports Cars
Classics
European
The 1980s were a heady time for European sports sedans. The BMW M3 - opens in new window or tab., the most iconic performance model, wowed enthusiasts who wanted to own the ultimate driving machine. American automakers also got in on the action across the Atlantic.
Ford’s German subsidiary built some of the world’s coolest performance cars, even though Americans couldn’t get them here. One example is this 1989 Ford Sierra RS Cosworth, which was recently listed for sale on eBay. The limited-production car combines turbocharged rear-wheel-drive performance with comfort and space for a family.
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A Legacy Built On The Track
Two magical badges adorn the trunk lid of this Sierra. First, there is RS, which stands for Rallye Sport—a name used on British Fords since the Escort of the late 1960s.
The RS badge had been the Blue Oval’s defining European performance trim package for decades, but didn’t make it to the US until the 2015 Focus RS - opens in new window or tab..
The second badge is Cosworth - opens in new window or tab., which also signals high performance. The name is derived from its founders (Mike COStin and Keith DuckWORTH), a duo of Lotus engineers. Cosworth quickly became a dominant engine builder for motorsports in the UK. The Ford-Cosworth DFV V-8 won 155 Formula One races between 1967 and 1985—a level of dominance unequaled in F1 history.
Racers boosted the Cosworth YB engine's output to much higher levels for track duties.
Applying those two impressive names (and their engineering chops) to the midrange Ford Sierra body transformed the car into an incredible performance machine. The Cosworth YB engine is a turbocharged four-cylinder. It’s based on an engine block dating back to the Ford Pinto - opens in new window or tab., but with a performance cylinder head and a turbo, producing 204 horsepower.
Never Sold Here?
The first-generation Ford Sierra RS Cosworth was based on a three-door (two-door with a hatchback) Sierra across Europe. That model was fitted with a distinctive two-tier rear wing that provided additional downforce for high-speed racing.
That Sierra, suitably modified for American safety standards, came to the US in the form of the Merkur XR4Ti. It didn’t have the hot Cosworth engine. Instead, Ford fitted it with the 2.3-liter turbo four also found in the Mustang. Unfavorable exchange rates between Europe and the US made it an expensive car.
Not flashy, just fast.
In 1989, the Sierra RS Cosworth moved to this four-door sedan body with a slightly toned-down style. Known as the Sierra Sapphire in the UK, the sedan could be used to drop the kids off at school and then go ripping through the countryside.
The OEM Recaro bucket seats look comfy and supportive.
The Ford Sierra RS Cosworth offered on eBay was originally sold in Italy, so it’s a left-hand drive. That makes it a bit easier to deal with in American traffic compared to a right-hand drive car from the UK. Try taking those cars through a drive-thru window.
This example isn’t perfect. For example, the gelcoat on the fiberglass rear spoiler is cracking. But otherwise, it’s a great way for Americans to live out their European touring car fantasies.
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