How much horsepower does a 1987 Ford Escort GT have?
The 1987 Ford Escort GT delivered about 105 horsepower in the U.S. market. This figure is the most commonly cited rating for that year, though outputs could vary slightly by market and emission tuning.
The question centers on the 1987 model year when Ford offered the Escort GT as a sport-oriented trim of the first-generation Escort. Engine tuning, emissions controls, and regional specifications meant horsepower could differ between markets, but 105 hp is the baseline figure often referenced in U.S. brochures and catalogs for the GT variant.
Horsepower figure for the U.S. market
The Escort GT used a 1.9-liter four-cylinder engine in its U.S. specification, and the commonly cited rating for the 1987 model year is 105 horsepower, measured as SAE net horsepower. This is the number most enthusiasts and archival materials point to when discussing the 1987 Escort GT's performance.
Before the following list, note that figures can vary slightly depending on the testing standard and whether emissions tuning differed by production batch or market. The list below summarizes the widely cited baseline figure.
- United States: 105 horsepower (SAE net) from the 1.9-liter CVH engine
In practice, the 105 hp figure has become the standard reference for the U.S. 1987 Escort GT, with occasional minor discrepancies due to measurement standards or regional tuning.
Notes on market variation and measurement
While 105 horsepower is the commonly cited rating for the U.S. Escort GT, other markets that received different engine tunes or optional trims could show slight variations in horsepower. The Escort GT badge in non-U.S. markets did not always align with the same engine configuration as the U.S. GT, so enthusiasts researching non-American examples should verify the specific regional specifications.
Summary
The 1987 Ford Escort GT is generally recorded as having about 105 horsepower in the United States, drawn from the 1.9-liter four-cylinder engine. This figure is the standard reference for that model year, though variations by market and measurement standards exist. The Escort GT balanced sportier styling and handling with the practicality the Escort line was known for in the late 1980s.
