The Ford Escort has made its official return, and in contrast to different reborn Blue Oval nameplates, it’s not an electrical SUV.
Earlier this month, Ford’s “official model licence associate” Boreham Motorworks unveiled the Escort Mk1 RS, marking the primary time the nameplate has been utilized in greater than twenty years.
In response to Boreham Motorworks, its Escort Mk1 RS isn’t a continuation nor a restomod, as a substitute claiming it as a Continumod, having obtained the blessing of Ford.
Whereas different corporations have been capable of make recreations of the Escort with period-correct physique shells, they haven’t been in a position to make use of the title. This has been the case for MST, who builds the Mk1 and Mk2, based mostly on corresponding generations of the Escort.
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“[Continumod:] A blueprint-accurate, period-sympathetic automobile constructed new – no donor automotive, simply an genuine continuation with authorized chassis numbers from the unique producer,” Boreham stated in a media launch.
“Combining the timeless spirit of basic vehicles with trendy engineering, design, and superior manufacturing, a Continumod redefines heritage with cutting-edge innovation.”
Simply 150 examples shall be produced from the third quarter of 2025 (July to September), with costs ranging from an eye-watering £295,000 (A$593,185).
Based mostly on the first-generation Ford Escort RS1600, Boreham stayed largely devoted to the Nineteen Sixties mannequin’s exterior design, although there are trendy touches similar to LED headlights (made to seem like they’ve been lined in tape, just like racing vehicles of the interval) and LED tail lights.
As with all Escort RSs, the Boreham Continumod options flared wheel-arches, underneath which sit bespoke 15-inch wheels, additionally impressed by classing racers. The entrance brakes embody four-piston calipers and ventilated discs, whereas there’s two-pot calipers and stable discs on the rear.
Inside, the design of the Mk1 Escort stays largely unchanged, with six gauges sitting in entrance of the motive force – one thing which was unique to the top-spec RS1600s.
The dashboard, steering wheel rim, seats and door playing cards are upholstered in Alcantara for a contemporary contact, whereas a tiny display seems to point out Apple CarPlay performance.
Consumers have the selection of two engines. The primary is a 1.8-litre merely often called the Twin Cam – although it’s unknown if it bears any relation to the Lotus-developed, Kent-based engine initially powering the RS1600.
A gasoline injection system has bumped outputs as much as 136kW, or about 30kW greater than probably the most potent Lotus Twin Cams within the interval.
This engine is completely mated to a four-speed guide transmission, and may spin as much as 9000rpm.
A second bespoke engine can be accessible, displacing 2.1 litres, and fitted with an digital throttle. It may possibly produce as much as 221kW at 10,000rpm, and is paired with a five-speed ‘canine leg’ guide transmission, the place first gear is positioned the place second usually is.
Boreham says it’s focusing on a kerb weight of simply 800kg, which might give the Escort RS a power-to-weight ratio of 276kW/tonne.
Accessible to order in each right- and left-hand drive, there’s MacPherson struts on the entrance finish and a floating rear axle on the rear, made out of light-weight aluminium. Adjustable coilovers function all spherical.
Boreham claims it’s achieved a weight distribution of 55 per cent entrance and 45 per cent rear.
The automobile is backed by a two-year, 20,000-mile (32,190km) guarantee.
Its debut comes shortly after Ford introduced the Capri again for the primary time in Europe since 1986, nevertheless quite than returning as a coupe because it was for its first three generations, it’s now an electrical SUV with Volkswagen underpinnings.
Boreham Motorworks can be quickly bringing again the Ford RS200 – a mid-engined, all-wheel drive monster first made for rally racing – and has not too long ago introduced famed Ford racing crew Alan Mann Racing as its efficiency division.
MORE: 2025 Ford Capri is a Volkswagen electrical SUV in a brand new swimsuit, not a reborn coupe