How much horsepower does the Ford Escort RS have?
The Ford Escort RS lineup spans several generations, with horsepower ranging from about 115 horsepower in the early RS1600i models to 227 horsepower in the legendary Escort RS Cosworth. The exact figure depends on the specific model and year.
Overview of the RS lineup and power figures
The Escort RS name has appeared on multiple performance-oriented variants since the 1980s. Each version was tuned for its era and market, from rally-inspired homologation specials to turbocharged hot hatch contenders. Below are representative models and their typical horsepower figures.
Notable variants and horsepower figures
Ford Escort RS1600i (early 1980s)
Approximate horsepower: about 115–130 hp (varying by market and emissions tuning).
Ford Escort RS1800 (Mk2, 1980s)
Approximate horsepower: around 150 hp, depending on version and market.
Ford Escort RS Turbo (Mk3/Mk4, early 1990s)
Approximate horsepower: roughly 132 hp in early versions; later updates and regional variants moved outputs higher, with some editions approaching the 170–180 hp range.
Ford Escort RS2000 (late 1980s–1990s)
Power typically around 150–170 hp, depending on the specific engine variant and tuning.
Ford Escort RS Cosworth (1992–1996)
Power: 227 hp (170 kW), with torque around 320 Nm, making it the most powerful Escort RS model.
It's important to note that these figures are approximate and can vary by production year, market, and specific tuning or emission equipment. Within a single model line, different revisions or special editions could edge power a bit higher or lower.
Bottom line
The Ford Escort RS name covers a broad spectrum of performance variants. If you’re talking horsepower in general, you’ll find outputs from roughly 115 hp up to 227 hp, with the iconic RS Cosworth at the top end.
Summary
How fast is a Ford Escort RS?
The Ford Escort RS Cosworth has a stock top speed of 257 km/h (160 mph) which is average in Class C. The car has strong acceleration and an average nitrous output. The handling of the vehicle is very grippy and responsive, even at high speeds, which allows for the car to corner at fairly high speeds.
How much horsepower does the mk1 RS Escort have?
182 horsepower
Boreham offers them the option of a 1.8-liter belt-driven twin-cam engine derived from the 16-valve 1.6-liter Cosworth unit that powered the original Escort RS1600 to rally success back in the '70s. This engine makes a respectable 182 horsepower, and is mated to a four-speed manual 'box with straight-cut gears.
How much horsepower does the Escort RS 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.
What is the horsepower of the RS1600?
However, it wasn't until the RS1600 came along that things became serious. It replaced the Twin Cam and showed promise. Under the bonnet sat a Cosworth-prepped 1,6-litre inline four producing 115 horsepower. A decent figure to hurl it around B-roads, but nowhere near enough for motorsport.
