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Photo of a Ford Escort

Ford Escort

Six generations, three platforms, and a 224-hp RS Cosworth built to go rallying.12

Researched October 28, 2026 from 29 sources

Also called

  • BrendaThe Mk2's development codename; it retained the Mk1 floorpan and core structure.1
  • ErikaThe Mk3's development codename; this generation went on sale in October 1980.3
  • CossieEnthusiast shorthand for the RS Cosworth, continuing a nickname used for the Sierra.24
  • people’s sports carA period nickname used by some for the RS Turbo.5

At a glance

0150300
40–295.8 hpPower
07.515
5.7–10.7 s0–60 mph
0125250
159.3–240 km/hTop speed
0200400
70.5–304 N·mTorque
07501,500
767–1,320 kgWeight

The coral arc spans the family, from its mildest version to its wildest.124910

Engine
Mk1: 1.1/1.3 L petrol; later diesel; RS Cosworth: 2.0 L turbo four148
Layout
Mk1/2: front-engine, RWD; Mk3/4: FWD; RS Cosworth: AWD12
Gearbox
Mk1: 4-speed manual/3-speed auto; Mk3 sports: 4/5-speed; Cosworth: 5-speed123
Built at
Mk1: Halewood, UK / Saarlouis, Germany; RS Cosworth: Karmann Rheine, Germany12
Units built
2 million Escorts by June 1974; 7,145 RS Cosworths12

The story

Created to replace the Anglia, the Escort spanned six generations on three platforms: rear-drive Mk1/2, front-drive Erika Mk3/4 and CE-14 Mk5/6. The RS Cosworth put Sierra hardware under Escort panels to qualify for Group A rallying.12

1968: Mk1 debuts at Brussels19681974: 2 million Escorts in six years19741975: Mk2 arrives on Mk1 bones19751980: Erika flips to front-wheel drive19801986: Mk4 reskin, plus optional ABS19861990: Mk5 loses to all three rivals19901992: Mk5 facelift starts the repair · RS Cosworth puts Sierra bones to work19921998: Focus arrives; final Escorts linger1998 Ford Model Y (Model Y): 1932–1937Ford 7Y (7Y): 1938–1939Ford Anglia: 1939–1967Ford AngliaFord Escort Mk1 (Mk1): 1967–1975Mk1Ford Escort Mk2 (Mk2): 1974–1980Mk2Ford Escort Mk3 (Mk3): 1980–1986Mk3Ford Escort Mk4 (Mk4): 1986Mk4Ford Escort Mk5 (CE-14): 1990CE-14Ford Focus: 1998Ford Focus 194019501960197019801990200020102020
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones1367810161718
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1932–1937Ford Model Y (Model Y)
1938–1939Ford 7Y (7Y)
1939–1967Ford Anglia
1967–1975Ford Escort Mk1 (Mk1)
1974–1980Ford Escort Mk2 (Mk2)
1980–1986Ford Escort Mk3 (Mk3)
1986Ford Escort Mk4 (Mk4)
1990Ford Escort Mk5 (CE-14)
1998Ford Focus
1968Mk1 debuts at Brussels
19742 million Escorts in six years
1975Mk2 arrives on Mk1 bones
1980Erika flips to front-wheel drive
1986Mk4 reskin, plus optional ABS
1990Mk5 loses to all three rivals
1992Mk5 facelift starts the repair
1992RS Cosworth puts Sierra bones to work
1998Focus arrives; final Escorts linger
  1. 1968

    Mk1 debuts at Brussels

    Ford's Anglia replacement made its show debut in January, with rear-wheel drive and the first rack-and-pinion steering in a small Ford.1

  2. 1974

    2 million Escorts in six years

    June brought a Ford first outside the US: 2 million Escorts built, with 60% of them made in Britain.1

  3. 1975

    Mk2 arrives on Mk1 bones

    Brenda kept the Mk1 floorpan and core structure; the squarer Mk2 launched in January after joint British-German development.1

  4. 1980

    Erika flips to front-wheel drive

    The Mk3 became a front-drive hatchback; European Car of the Year followed despite criticism of its ride and handling.367

  5. 1986

    Mk4 reskin, plus optional ABS

    The Mk4 followed the Mk3; a 1.4 L petrol replaced the 1.3, and Ford offered mechanical ABS for front-drive Escorts.36

  6. 1990

    Mk5 loses to all three rivals

    Autocar preferred all three comparison rivals. Ford swiftly gave the 1.4 L cars the 1.6's front anti-roll bar and springs.68

  7. 1992

    Mk5 facelift starts the repair

    The September facelift brought an oval grille, work on 1.6 L refinement, better ride and handling, and more equipment in Ghia trim.68

  8. 1992

    RS Cosworth puts Sierra bones to work

    Sierra underpinnings turned the RS Cosworth into a 224-hp, four-wheel-drive Group A homologation special.2

  9. 1998

    Focus arrives; final Escorts linger

    The Focus arrived in 1998, but Escort production at Halewood lasted two more years; improved Flight and Finesse trims gave it a final send-off.16

Every generation

  • Ford Model Y
    Model Y1932–1937
  • Ford 7Y
    7Y1938–1939
  • Ford Anglia
    Ford Anglia1939–1967
  • Ford Escort Mk1
    Mk11967–1975
  • Ford Escort Mk2
    Mk21974–1980
  • Ford Escort Mk3
    Mk31980–1986
  • Ford Escort Mk4
    Mk41986
  • Ford Escort Mk5
    CE-141990
  • Ford Focus
    Ford Focus1998

Power over the years

From 40 hp to 224 hp in 24 years.

0100200300 197019751980198519901995 hp 1968 · 40 hp · 1100 Low Compression1968 · 105 hp · Twin Cam1970 · 85 hp · Mexico1970 · 115 hp · RS16001973 · 100 hp · RS20001975 · 115 hp · Mk2 RS1800 road car1981 · 96 hp · Mk3 XR31982 · 115 hp · RS1600i1992 · 224 hp · RS Cosworth YBT, big turbo1994 · 217 hp · RS Cosworth YBP, small turbo 224 hp RS Cosworth YBT, big turbo 40 hp 1100 Low Compression
1347101112
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
1968401100 Low Compression
1968105Twin Cam
197085Mexico
1970115RS1600
1973100RS2000
1975115Mk2 RS1800 road car
198196Mk3 XR3
1982115RS1600i
1992224RS Cosworth YBT, big turbo
1994217RS Cosworth YBP, small turbo

Versions

12 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • 1300E, Ghia, Flight and Finesse

    Standard

    1300E, Ghia, Flight and Finesse

  • Mk3 XR3, XR3i and Cabriolet

    Performance

    Mk3 XR3, XR3i and Cabriolet

    1980–1986

  • Mk2 1600 Sport and RS Mexico

    Performance

    Mk2 1600 Sport and RS Mexico

  • Mk2 RS2000, including Custom

    Performance

    Mk2 RS2000, including Custom

  • RS Turbo Series 1 and Series 2

    Performance

    RS Turbo Series 1 and Series 2

  • Mk5 RS2000, including 4x4

    Performance

    Mk5 RS2000, including 4x4

  • Mk1 Twin Cam, RS1600, Mexico and RS2000

    Performance

    Mk1 Twin Cam, RS1600, Mexico and RS2000

  • RS1600i

    Racing

    RS1600i

    1982–1983

    115 hp

    8,659 built

  • RS Cosworth: Motorsport, Standard and Lux

    Racing

    RS Cosworth: Motorsport, Standard and Lux

    1992–1996

    7,145 built

  • Limited

    Mk2 Harrier

    1,500 built

  • Mk2 RS1800

    Racing

    Mk2 RS1800

    1975–1977

    115 hp
  • RS Cosworth special editions

    Limited

    RS Cosworth special editions

How to spot one

Look for

  • Mk1: dogbone-shaped front grille.1
  • Mk2: squared-off bodywork.1
  • Mk3: hatchback body replaced the earlier sedan shape.6
  • Mk2 RS2000: distinctive slanted droop-snoot nose.14
  • RS Cosworth: paired hood vents.15

Year by year

  1. 1969

    A four-door sedan joined the Mk1 range.610

  2. 1974

    Four-door 1300E models arrived with metallic paint and a vinyl roof.10

  3. 1975

    The squarer Mk2 replaced the Mk1's Coke-bottle contours.16

  4. 1980

    The Mk3 introduced a hatchback shape in place of the earlier sedan formula.36

  5. September 1992

    An oval grille became the obvious facelift clue on mainstream Escorts.8

  6. 1994 onward

    RS Cosworth buyers could delete the whale-tail rear spoiler from the factory.2

Don’t confuse it with

  • Photo of a Ford Escort
    Escort
    Photo of a Cortina Mark III
    Cortina Mark III

    Cortina Mark III

    The Cortina is larger, though both have Coke-bottle sides; the Mk1 Escort's dogbone grille is the key clue.1

  • Ordinary Mk5 Escort

    Look for the Cosworth's bulging fenders and paired hood vents; its large rear wing could be deleted from 1994.215

  • Photo of a Ford Escort
    Escort
    Photo of a Mk1 AVO replicas
    Mk1 AVO replicas

    Mk1 AVO replicas

    Clubs can help authenticate a claimed AVO Mk1; the most desirable versions are prime targets for fakes.10

Against its rivals

Prices

Value today $44.0K–$94.0K4

Price when newAuction saleValue todayPrices on a log scale
$1K$10K$100K$1M 197019801990200020102020 Value today: $44,000–$94,000 1971 · $2,256 · UK Sport, approx. USD1981 · $10,900 · Britain base, XR31992 · $36,663 · UK Cosworth Motorsport, approx. USD1992 · $37,415 · UK Cosworth Standard, approx. USD1992 · $41,116 · UK Cosworth Lux tested, approx. USD1992 · $41,958 · UK Cosworth Lux leather, approx. USD1993 · $35,197 · Germany base, RS Cosworth 2021 · $54,338 · 1979 Mk2 RS2000 Custom; approx USD incl. fees, Bonhams MPH2022 · $845,325 · 1985 RS Turbo S1, ex-Diana; approx USD incl. fees, Auction2025 · $66,219 · 1980 Harrier, 89,370 mi; approx USD incl. fees, Bonhams Cars Online2025 · $65,000 · 1993 Escort RS Cosworth Lux, Bring a Trailer $845.3K Auction, 2022
567913141529
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
1971Price when new$2,256UK Sport, approx. USD
1981Price when new$10,900Britain base, XR3
1992Price when new$36,663UK Cosworth Motorsport, approx. USD
1992Price when new$37,415UK Cosworth Standard, approx. USD
1992Price when new$41,116UK Cosworth Lux tested, approx. USD
1992Price when new$41,958UK Cosworth Lux leather, approx. USD
1993Price when new$35,197Germany base, RS Cosworth
2021Auction sale$54,3381979 Mk2 RS2000 Custom; approx USD incl. fees, Bonhams MPH
2022Auction sale$845,3251985 RS Turbo S1, ex-Diana; approx USD incl. fees, Auction
2025Auction sale$66,2191980 Harrier, 89,370 mi; approx USD incl. fees, Bonhams Cars Online
2025Auction sale$65,0001993 Escort RS Cosworth Lux, Bring a Trailer
2026Value today$44,000–$94,000

The rest of the story is in the app

The full file tells why each version matters, the legend behind the car and what to check before buying one.

  • Versions

    • Why each of the 12 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 14 stories from its legend
    • “2 million Escorts in 6 years”
    • “Formula 2 power won the 1968 saloon crown”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 9 generations

  • Market

    • 6 things to check before buying one
    • Where prices are heading, and why
Read the full file in SPOT

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to the source it rests on.

See all 29 sources
  1. Ford Escort (Europe) - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  2. Ford Escort RS Cosworth - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  3. Ford Escort Mk3 XR3, XR3i & RS1600i Buying Guide motorious.com
  4. Ford Escort RS Cosworth (1992 - 1996) – history, review and specs of Ford's rally star | evo evo.co.uk
  5. Princess Diana’s Ford Escort RS just sold for £722,500 | GRR goodwood.com
  6. The Ford Escort story: how Britain’s best-seller blew it - Retro Motor retromotor.co.uk
  7. 1981 Ford Escort XR3 Test: The Grass Is Definitely Greener caranddriver.com
  8. Escort disaster – Australian Motor Heritage Foundation motorheritage.org.au
  9. Premium Blend October 1992 - Motor Sport Magazine motorsportmagazine.com
  10. Ford Escort Mk1: Buying guide and review (1968-1975) | Auto Express autoexpress.co.uk
  11. Escort Mk2 RS1800 – The Ford RS Owners Club rsownersclub.co.uk
  12. Escort RS1600i – The Ford RS Owners Club rsownersclub.co.uk
  13. 1980 Ford Escort Harrier For Sale by Auction themarket.co.uk
  14. Bonhams Cars : 1979 Ford Escort MKII RS2000 Custom Chassis no. GCATUR00304 carsd.bonhams.com
  15. Archive Road Test: 1993 Ford Escort RS Cosworth caranddriver.com
  16. Ford Model Y - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  17. Ford 7Y - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  18. Ford Anglia - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  19. Ford Focus RS v Ford Escort Cosworth | evo evo.co.uk
  20. Iconic Cars | Alan Mann Racing alanmann.co.uk
  21. Ford Escort Mexico Mk1 | Channel 4 channel4.com
  22. juwra.com  |  Ford Escort RS1800 juwra.com
  23. Ford Escort RS1800 Rally Car - nationalmotormuseum.org.uk
  24. Ford Escort Mk3 Escort RS1700T Guide — Supercar Nostalgia supercarnostalgia.com
  25. My Life & Cars – Frank Stephenson, car designer | evo evo.co.uk
  26. Learn All About Paul Walker’s Ford Escort RS1600 From Fast and Furious 6 thedrive.com
  27. Forza Horizon 5 Confirmed Car List | Forza forza.net
  28. Update Notice (1.54) - gran-turismo.com gran-turismo.com
  29. 1993 Ford Escort RS Cosworth Lux for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $65,000 on November 18, 2025 (Lot #220,228) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • motorious.com
  • evo.co.uk
  • goodwood.com
  • retromotor.co.uk
  • caranddriver.com
  • motorheritage.org.au
  • motorsportmagazine.com
  • autoexpress.co.uk
  • rsownersclub.co.uk
  • themarket.co.uk
  • carsd.bonhams.com
  • alanmann.co.uk
  • channel4.com

Photo credits

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