Model Page
Ford Fiesta RS Turbo
|
Production Run: |
- |
|---|---|
|
Production Date: |
November 1990 - 1992 |
|
Engine: |
Ford 1,597cc CVH In-Line 4 |
|
Built: |
- |
|
0-60: |
7.9 secs |
|
Max Speed: |
132mph |
The Fiesta RS Turbo was released in April / May 1990, coinciding with the withdrawal of the Escort RS Turbo from the market as the Mk 5 Escort was due to be launched. The Fiesta RS Turbo was the first Fiesta to be fitted with a Turbocharger from the factory and was based heavily on the XR2i.
RS Turbo
The car followed on from the XR2i that was released a year earlier and had proved to be a strong seller. The engine fitted to the car was taken from the Escort RS Turbo S2 – the 1597cc Ford CVH, revisions had to be made to get the unit to fit within the smaller Fiesta engine bay. Gone was the Garrett T3 Turbocharger to be replaced with the smaller Garrett T2 Turbocharger. The T2 was used as the space available between the engine and radiator was too small to house the T3 and whilst not providing the same boost at higher RPM the advantage of the T2 was a reduction in turbo lag and improved responsiveness as the engine came on boost at lower RPM of 2,000 rather than the Escort’s 3,000rpm. The Fiesta also lost the Bosch K-Star engine management system that had been fitted to the Escort instead it was replaced with the Ford EFI EEC-IV system as taken from the XR2i - in this new guise the engine produced 132 bhp. As with the Escort RS Turbo an air to air intercooler was fitted but this was slightly larger on the Fiesta than the Escort counterpart.
Mechanically, the suspension was similar to the XR2i but the car sat approximately one inch lower than the XR2i and was fitted with shorter shock absorbers and on the rear and had an updated rear anti-roll bar. The brakes fitted were the same as the XR2i (front vented discs, rear drums) but a factory fitted ABS system was optional. Unlike the Escort RS turbo the car did not include a Limited Slip Differential.
Fiesta
Inside the car was again similar to the XR2i but the model did benefit from Recaro seats trimmed in “Ascot in Raven” and a grey leather trimmed gear knob and steering wheel, the steering wheel also had the RS Turbo logo embossed on the centre cap.
The car featured the same body style as the XR2i, but did benefit from slight revisions. Twin bonnet vents were added, the front grill was removed to keep the tightly packed engine bay cool and a green plastic moulding insert was added to the bumpers. A colour coded rear spoiler and opening rear quarter windows were other modifications, the windows now featuring a green tint. Larger 3 Spoke 14” Alloy wheels were fitted to the car finishing off the exterior changes. At the start of the production run the car was available in Diamond White, Black, Metallic Mercury Grey and Radiant Red, toward the end of production the car became available in Metallic Moondust Silver.
Fiesta RS Turbo Rear Angle
The car was released to the public in May 1990 and was criticised for poor handling – in part due to the loss of the limited slip differential – and for having uncommunicative steering. The car was discontinued in 1992 when changes to the UK emissions laws necessitated the addition of a catalytic converter. The Fiesta RS Turbo, once a popular sight on British roads is becoming ever more rare - unmodified top condition cars are very sought after and are starting to command higher values.
The Facts
|
Engine: |
Ford CVH In-Line 4 |
|---|---|
|
Capacity: |
1,597cc |
|
Valves: |
8 |
|
Compression Ratio: |
8.2:1 |
|
Fuel System: |
Ford EFI EEC-IV |
|
Maximum Power: |
132bhp @ 5,500 rpm. |
|
Maximum Torque: |
135 lb/ft @ 2,400 rpm. |
|
Transmission: |
Manual 5 speed. |
|
Top Gear: |
- |
|
Brakes: |
Servo Assisted ventilated front discs / rear drums |
|
Kerb Weight: |
910kg |
|
Max Speed: |
132 mph |
|
0-60: |
7.9 secs |
