How much horsepower does a 1992 Ford Escort RS Cosworth have?
The 1992 Escort RS Cosworth delivered about 227 horsepower in stock form (roughly 225–230 hp depending on measurement standards and market), backed by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and permanent four-wheel drive.
Context and significance
Born as Ford's rally-homologation project, the RS Cosworth was designed to compete in rallying. Its power output, while modest by modern standards, was punchy for a compact hatch of the era and helped establish it as a performance icon.
Engine and performance
Specifications
The heart is a 2.0-liter inline-four turbocharged engine developed with Cosworth, delivering about 227 PS (approximately 223–230 hp) and around 309 Nm (228 lb-ft) of torque. It used a turbocharger and produced peak power in the mid rev range, with a redline around 6,500–6,700 rpm.
Performance figures and drive
With permanent four-wheel drive and a purpose-built chassis, the RS Cosworth accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in roughly the mid-6-second range and reached a top speed around 140–150 mph, depending on gearing, tires, and conditions. These figures reflect the early 1992-spec cars; later model years carried similar outputs with minor refinements.
Notes: some markets list power using different standards (DIN vs SAE), leading to small variations in reported numbers. An overboost feature on turbo engines could temporarily raise power under heavy throttle, but such increases were not universal across all cars.
In practice, enthusiasts and historians generally cite around 225–230 hp for standard 1992 RS Cosworths, which aligns with Ford's documents and contemporary reviews.
Variations and verification
The horsepower figure can vary slightly by market and measurement method, and occasional overboost can increase engine output temporarily. Below are factors that help verify figures historically and in kept examples:
- Factory documentation for the 1992 RS Cosworth frequently lists 227 PS (about 223–230 hp in different conversions).
- Contemporary automotive press from the era reported brisk performance for a 2.0-liter turbo hatchback with AWD.
- Enthusiast dyno tests typically show results in the 210–230 hp range, depending on condition and any modifications.
For most practical purposes, 227 PS (roughly 223–230 hp) remains the standard reference for the 1992 Escort RS Cosworth's factory output.
Summary
The 1992 Ford Escort RS Cosworth delivered about 227 horsepower in stock form, derived from a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine paired with all-wheel drive. While numbers can vary slightly by market and measurement method, 225–230 hp is a reliable reference for this iconic rally-inspired hot hatch.
Why are Cosworth engines so good?
In contrast, the V-configuration of the Cosworth engine angled the cylinders upwards and left ample space under the car for the necessary under-body profile which massively increased downforce and gave more efficient aero balance, thus increasing cornering potential and straight line speed.
How fast is a Ford Escort RS Cosworth?
Maximum power officially from Ford was 227 PS (224 bhp; 167 kW) at 6,250 rpm and 304 N⋅m; 224 lbf⋅ft (31 kg⋅m) of torque at 3,500 rpm on 95 RON petrol and a max speed of 232 km/h (144 mph) (GPS) and 237 km/h (147 mph) without the big rear wing, while 0–100 km/h (62 mph) takes 5.7 sec.
How much horsepower does a 1993 Ford Escort Cosworth have?
224 horsepower
The Escort RS Cosworth makes use of the old Sierra Cosworth's 2.0-liter turbocharged-and-intercooled sixteen-valve engine, now tweaked to produce 224 horsepower at 6250 rpm.
How much is a Ford Escort RS Cosworth worth?
The newer Escort Cosworths follow a similar £50,000 entry point, with immaculate cars rising up to six figures, with ultra-special versions, such as Monte Carlo editions commanding in the £120,000 region too.
