Ford’s Sierra RS Cosworth Was a Bland Commuter Turned Touring Champ (Hagerty)
The phrase “fast Fords” might sound as American as apple pie, but folks in the UK and Australia would beg to differ. Ford’s British and European operations in particular have produced some of the coolest cars to ever wear the blue oval — cars like the Escort RS1600 or the RS200. The 1986–92 Sierra RS Cosworth — a bland, Belgian-built commuter car turned touring car champion — is definitely on that list.
Technically, we never got any Sierras here in the states (GMC trucks don’t count), but if that wacky rear spoiler and those fat, rectangular headlights look familiar, you’re probably thinking of the Merkur XR4Ti, a short-lived, sporty hatchback sold at Lincoln-Mercury dealerships from 1985–89. Based on the European market Ford Sierra XR4i, the Merkur was Ford’s (failed) attempt to take on fun-to-drive luxury imports like the BMW 3 Series. But while the XR4i is a peppy little car by ’80s standards, the Sierra Cosworth is in a whole different ballpark (or cricket pitch) in terms of performance, race pedigree, and collectability.
