The Ford RS200
The History
- 0 ~ 60mph 2.1 Seconds
- 0-100-0mph in 13.6 sec
- 2.1 litre 16 valve DOHC turbo engine
- Four wheel drive and 650bhp
- Body designed by Ghia
- 200 Built
- Double wishbone, twin damper suspension
- Front remote mounted gearbox
In the early 80's Ford began working on a supercar which would meet the Group B rally requirements and would go on to compete against the incredible Metro 6R4 & Audi Quattro etc.
The chassis was designed by former Formula One designer Tony Southgate asisted by fellow ex-Formula One engineer John Wheeler, they helped to develop the car from the early days right through to the final Evo version.
The car was constructed with a monocoque centre section bonded and riveted onto a steel platform. Three tubular steel subframes were bolted onto the platform to form a chassis which was easy to work on and could be easily fixed or changed during the tough rally stages.
The body was styled by the famous Ghia Design Studios in Turin, Italy, and because Ford had no experience in working in the lightweight glass fibre necessary for the body they turned to Reliant (famous for their fibreglass 3 wheelers and Scimitar sports car) for their expertise. The production line was set up in Reliants factory in Shenstone, and Ford raided parts from the Sierra parts bin to aid the construction, e.g. rear lights and windscreen being the major ones.
To get accepted by the FIA a minimum of 200 RS200's had to be built, 220 'parts kits' were actually produced the extra were used to supply parts for damaged cars.
The 16 valve DOHC turbocharged engine was installed longitudinally at the rear of the car, The engine was based on the Cosworth BDA engine but fitted with uprated components including a Garrett turbocharger. The drive was provided to all four wheels via a Ferguson patented system using viscous couplings, the drive was spilt with 37% of power going to the front wheels but a centre differential lock could alter this to provide 50/50 front/rear split if necessary.
Once Ford had produced the two hundred cars to satisfy homologation regulations, twenty four cars were taken to one side to be converted to 'Evo' specification. Uprated suspension, brakes and a 2.1 litre version of the BDT engine was used, which at full boost delivered 650bhp. The 'standard' car was claimed to reach 60mph in 3.6 seconds and there are reports that Stig Blomquist reached 60mph in only 2.1 seconds in a rally prepared Evo.
The FIA were forced to ban the Group B rally cars after the death of some spectators in a rally
Click the picture for more Ford RS200 photos