Ford Fiesta RS Turbo
Encyclopedia
The Ford Fiesta RS Turbo was a performance model of the Mk 3 Ford Fiesta
. It was introduced in April 1990 and production continued until 1992 when it was replaced with the normally aspirated 1.8 RS 1800.
Based on the XR2i, introduced a year earlier, it was visually quite similar with the differences being 14" alloy wheels (an inch larger than the XR2is) and 185/55 VR14 Pirelli
P600 tyres, green rather than blue stripe mouldings, a colour coded rear spoiler, opening rear quarter windows and green tinted glass. Anti-lock brakes
and a "Quickclear" heated front windscreen were options at extra cost.
Inside the car the differences included Recaro
seats trimmed in "Ascot In Raven" material and a grey leather trimmed gear knob and steering wheel, which also had the RS Turbo logo embossed on the centre cap.
Initially the car was offered in four colours, Radiant Red, Diamond White, Black and Mercury Grey (metallic), with the last models in the production run in Moondust Silver metallic.
The RS Turbo's CVH
engine retained the same 1597cc capacity as the XR2i, but had a lower compression ratio of 8:1. The Garrett
T2 turbocharger supplied 8 psi (55,158.1 Pa) of boost and was chosen as space between the engine and radiator prevented the use of the larger T3 from the Escort RS Turbo. As with the Escort, an air-to-air intercooler
was fitted, although this was slightly larger on the Fiesta. The quoted power output was 133ps at 5500rpm, with 183nm of torque at 2400rpm which gave the car a top speed of 133mph and a 0-60 of 7.9 seconds.
The car was not generally well received with reviews citing poor handling and uncommunicative steering as its weak points. The spiralling insurance costs of the early 1990s did not help either, with the car being a particular target for thieves.
Ford Fiesta
The Ford Fiesta is a front wheel drive supermini/subcompact manufactured and marketed by Ford Motor Company and built in Europe, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Venezuela, China, India, Thailand and South Africa...
. It was introduced in April 1990 and production continued until 1992 when it was replaced with the normally aspirated 1.8 RS 1800.
Based on the XR2i, introduced a year earlier, it was visually quite similar with the differences being 14" alloy wheels (an inch larger than the XR2is) and 185/55 VR14 Pirelli
Pirelli
Pirelli & C. SpA is a diverse multinational company based in Milan, Italy. The company, the world’s fifth largest tyre manufacturer, is present in over 160 countries, has 20 manufacturing sites around the world and a network of around 10,000 distributors and retailers.Founded in Milan in 1872,...
P600 tyres, green rather than blue stripe mouldings, a colour coded rear spoiler, opening rear quarter windows and green tinted glass. Anti-lock brakes
Anti-lock braking system
An anti-lock braking system is a safety system that allows the wheels on a motor vehicle to continue interacting tractively with the road surface as directed by driver steering inputs while braking, preventing the wheels from locking up and therefore avoiding skidding.An ABS generally offers...
and a "Quickclear" heated front windscreen were options at extra cost.
Inside the car the differences included Recaro
Recaro
RECARO GmbH & Co. KG, commonly known as Recaro, is a German company based in Kirchheim unter Teck in the vicinity of Stuttgart, known for their automobile bucket seats...
seats trimmed in "Ascot In Raven" material and a grey leather trimmed gear knob and steering wheel, which also had the RS Turbo logo embossed on the centre cap.
Initially the car was offered in four colours, Radiant Red, Diamond White, Black and Mercury Grey (metallic), with the last models in the production run in Moondust Silver metallic.
The RS Turbo's CVH
Ford CVH engine
The letters CVH denote a particular type of 4-cylinder internal combustion engine produced by the Ford Motor Company during the 1980s and 1990s....
engine retained the same 1597cc capacity as the XR2i, but had a lower compression ratio of 8:1. The Garrett
Garrett AiResearch
Garrett AiResearch was a manufacturer of turboprop engines and turbochargers, and a pioneer in numerous aerospace technologies. It was previously known as Aircraft Tool and Supply Company, Garrett Supply Company, AiResearch Manufacturing Company, or simply AiResearch...
T2 turbocharger supplied 8 psi (55,158.1 Pa) of boost and was chosen as space between the engine and radiator prevented the use of the larger T3 from the Escort RS Turbo. As with the Escort, an air-to-air intercooler
Intercooler
An intercooler , or charge air cooler, is an air-to-air or air-to-liquid heat exchange device used on turbocharged and supercharged internal combustion engines to improve their volumetric efficiency by increasing intake air charge density through nearly isobaric cooling, which removes...
was fitted, although this was slightly larger on the Fiesta. The quoted power output was 133ps at 5500rpm, with 183nm of torque at 2400rpm which gave the car a top speed of 133mph and a 0-60 of 7.9 seconds.
The car was not generally well received with reviews citing poor handling and uncommunicative steering as its weak points. The spiralling insurance costs of the early 1990s did not help either, with the car being a particular target for thieves.
External links
- http://www.fastfordmag.co.uk/resources/fastford/FAF234_buyers.pdf
- Channel4.com : Retrospective: Ford Fiesta — History of the Fiesta
- http://www.fiestaturbo.com/articles/history/#RSTurbo
- www.FiestaClubPortugal.org