What is the 0 60 on a 1985 Ford Escort RS Turbo?
In practical terms, the 0-60 mph time for the 1985 Escort RS Turbo sits in the mid-to-high seven-second range, with most tested examples landing roughly between 7.5 and 8.0 seconds. This figure reflects the car’s lightweight chassis, turbocharged engine, and front-wheel-drive layout from Ford’s mid-1980s hot-hatch lineup.
Context and mechanics
To understand why the RS Turbo could accelerate so briskly for its era, it helps to know its core specifications and how they work together. The car combined a turbocharged 1.6-liter inline-four with a five-speed manual transmission and a relatively light body, optimized for responsive street performance. Its performance was shaped by a compact turbo setup, intercooling, and a chassis tuned for nimble handling rather than outright power.
- Engine: 1.6-liter turbocharged petrol engine delivering roughly 130–135 horsepower (DIN), with torque tuned for snappy response.
- Drivetrain and transmission: Front-wheel drive paired with a five-speed manual gearbox for direct engagement and quick rev matching.
- Weight and chassis: A lightweight hatchback design, typically under 1,000 kilograms, contributing to brisk acceleration.
- Turbocharging and boost: A modest turbocharger setup aimed at accessible boost for street use, prioritizing usable power in everyday driving.
Together, these elements gave the RS Turbo its characteristic punch for a compact car of its time, making it one of the more capable hot hatches of the mid-1980s.
Performance in period tests
Times published by contemporary magazines and road tests varied slightly depending on market, tires, and condition, but they generally placed 0-60 mph in the high-7-second to low-8-second range for standard RS Turbos. These results reflect the car’s light weight, turbo dynamics, and the era’s tire technology.
Representative performance range (typical tests and owner reports from the era) highlights:
- 0-60 mph commonly cited in the roughly 7.5–8.0 second bracket for standard RS Turbo models.
Notes on measurement context: times could shift with tire choice, surface grip, engine wear, boost stability, and whether the car was running in optimal conditions. Launch technique and warm tires could tighten the window by a few tenths of a second, while worn boost or heavy loads could push the time past 8 seconds.
Market and variant considerations
The 1985 Escort RS Turbo saw variations across markets and model years, with minor changes in trim, weight, and boost behavior that could affect the exact 0-60 figure. In general, the core performance remained competitive for a compact turbo hot hatch of the period, contributing to its lasting appeal among enthusiasts today.
Summary
The 1985 Ford Escort RS Turbo typically accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in about 7.5 to 8.0 seconds, depending on condition, market variant, and launch factors. Its combination of a light chassis, turbocharged power, and manual transmission delivered brisk, engaging performance for a mid-1980s hot hatch. For collectors and drivers today, it remains a benchmark example of Ford’s early turbocharged performance engineering.
Final takeaway
In the landscape of 1980s hot hatchbacks, the Escort RS Turbo stood out for delivering accessible turbo performance in a compact, affordable package. Its estimated 0-60 time spotlights the era’s engineering approach: small displacement, forced induction, and a lightweight shell delivering compelling acceleration without high-end exotic hardware.
How fast is a Ford Escort RS turbo?
128 mph
Accelerating from 0 - 60 mph in 8.7 seconds, and with a maximum speed of 128 mph, TrackDays is proud to offer the Escort RS Turbo on a variety of exciting driving experience days, from our 80s Hot Hatch Blasts to our Stunt Driving Experiences.
What was the 0 60 time for the 1985 Mustang GT?
A 1985 Mustang GT can go from 000 to 606060 mph in approximately 5.8 seconds, according to one source. Another source indicates a 000-606060 mph time of 6.0 seconds.
- A 1985 Mustang GT with the 5.0L V8 and a 5-speed manual transmission is reported to accelerate from 000 to 606060 mph in 5.8 seconds.
- Another performance test for the 1985 Mustang GT measured a 000-606060 mph time of 6.0 seconds.
- These figures highlight the car's strong performance for its era, with the 5.0 H.O. engine producing 210 horsepower.
What is the 0 60 time for the Ford RS?
The Ford RS 0-60 mph time depends on the model year, but the most recent Focus RS (2016) can achieve it in about 4.7 seconds, with some tests showing slightly faster times of 4.56 seconds. Earlier models were slower, with the Focus RS Mk1 taking around 5.57 seconds.
This video shows a drag race between different generations of the Ford Focus RS: 1mOFFICIALLY GASSED - OGYouTube · May 25, 2025
- Ford Focus RS Mk3 (2016): The manufacturer's advertised time is 4.7 seconds, while independent tests have recorded times as low as 4.56 seconds.
- Ford Focus RS Mk2: This model takes approximately 4.92 seconds to reach 60 mph.
- Ford Focus RS Mk1: The first generation took about 5.57 seconds to hit 60 mph.
How much horsepower does a 1985 Ford Escort have?
Standard power was a 1.6-liter inline-four offering 65 horsepower paired with a four-speed manual. A five-speed manual and three-speed automatic were optional. There were no other engine options for the inaugural year, though a 120-horsepower turbocharged version of the same engine was available for 1984-85.
