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Ford Sierra

From 0.34 Cd family car to 224 hp RS500 homologation special.12

Researched November 1, 2026 from 27 sources

Also called

  • JellymouldA reaction to the Sierra's break with the boxy Cortina and Taunus.1
  • Salesman's spaceshipA nickname rooted in the Sierra's popularity as a British fleet car.1
  • CossieUsed for the Sierra whose engine developer, Cosworth, entered its official name.3

At a glance

Engine
Pinto/CVH/DOHC I4s; Cosworth turbo; Cologne/Essex V6s; XR8 V8; 2.3 D/1.8 TD110
Layout
Front-engine RWD/4WD; independent suspension at both ends1
Gearbox
4/5-speed manual; 3/4-speed auto; XR4Ti T9; Cosworth T5/4x4 MT751611
Built at
Genk, Belgium; Dagenham, UK; Ireland, NZ, South Africa, Argentina, Venezuela1
Units built
5,545 three-door RS Cosworths; 500 of them converted into RS500s67

The story

Ford's Cortina/Taunus replacement wrapped familiar rear-drive hardware in a 0.34 Cd body. Launched in 1982 as three- and five-door hatchbacks and a wagon, it gained the Sapphire sedan in 1987.1

1978: Project Toni challenges Ford convention19781981: Probe III previews the Sierra19811982: The jellymould hits showrooms19821985: Crosswind fix and rear-biased 4x419851986: 5,545 roadgoing RS Cosworths19861987: Sapphire sedan and 224 hp RS50019871989: Diesel, V6 and gearbox turnover19891990: 220 hp Cosworth 4x4; Gravett wins BTCC19901993: Mondeo takes over; Argentina signs off1993 Ford Cortina Mark I (Mark I): 1962–1966Ford Cortina Mark II (Mark II): 1966–1970Ford Cortina Mark III (TC1): 1970–1976TC1Ford Taunus TC (TC): 1970–1975TCFord Cortina Mark IV (Mk IV): 1976–1979Ford Taunus TC2 (TC2): 1976–1979TC2Ford Cortina Mark V / Taunus TC3 (Mark V / TC3): 1979–1982Ford Sierra MkI (MkI): 1982–1987MkIFord Sierra Mark Two (Mark Two): 1987–1993Ford Mondeo: 1993–Ford Mondeo 197019801990200020102020
GenerationsBefore and afterMilestones151819
Show the numbers
YearWhat happened
1962–1966Ford Cortina Mark I (Mark I)
1966–1970Ford Cortina Mark II (Mark II)
1970–1976Ford Cortina Mark III (TC1)
1970–1975Ford Taunus TC (TC)
1976–1979Ford Cortina Mark IV (Mk IV)
1976–1979Ford Taunus TC2 (TC2)
1979–1982Ford Cortina Mark V / Taunus TC3 (Mark V / TC3)
1982–1987Ford Sierra MkI (MkI)
1987–1993Ford Sierra Mark Two (Mark Two)
1993–Ford Mondeo
1978Project Toni challenges Ford convention
1981Probe III previews the Sierra
1982The jellymould hits showrooms
1985Crosswind fix and rear-biased 4x4
19865,545 roadgoing RS Cosworths
1987Sapphire sedan and 224 hp RS500
1989Diesel, V6 and gearbox turnover
1990220 hp Cosworth 4x4; Gravett wins BTCC
1993Mondeo takes over; Argentina signs off
  1. 1978

    Project Toni challenges Ford convention

    Ford is developing the Cortina/Taunus replacement. Uwe Bahnsen, Patrick le Quément and Bob Lutz are central to its contested design.14

  2. 1981

    Probe III previews the Sierra

    At Frankfurt in September, the Probe III concept gives buyers an early look at the Sierra's coming form.1

  3. 1982

    The jellymould hits showrooms

    Sales start on October 15 and move slowly, but Britain buys nearly 160,000 Sierras in 1983, second only to the Escort.1

  4. 1985

    Crosswind fix and rear-biased 4x4

    Rear side-window seal spoilers tackle crosswind instability; the XR4x4 appears at Geneva with Ferguson four-wheel drive split 34:66 front to rear.15

  5. 1986

    5,545 roadgoing RS Cosworths

    The three-door RS Cosworth arrives in July. Genk, Belgium, builds 5,545, including 500 later sent to Tickford for RS500 conversion.67

  6. 1987

    Sapphire sedan and 224 hp RS500

    A facelift adds the four-door Sapphire. Tickford's 500-car RS500 gains a stronger block, a larger turbo and four dormant extra injectors.16

  7. 1989

    Diesel, V6 and gearbox turnover

    The 2.3 diesel yields to Ford's 1.8 turbodiesel; XR4x4 V6s grow from 2.8 to 2.9 liters. Post-1989 cars gain the MT75 gearbox.18

  8. 1990

    220 hp Cosworth 4x4; Gravett wins BTCC

    The Sapphire RS Cosworth adds four-wheel drive and 220 hp; Robb Gravett wins the British Touring Car Championship in an RS500.36

  9. 1993

    Mondeo takes over; Argentina signs off

    European production ends; the Mondeo takes over. Argentina finishes in July, bringing its local Sierra total to 72,024.9

Every generation

  • Ford Cortina Mark I
    Mark I1962–1966
  • Ford Cortina Mark II
    Mark II1966–1970
  • Ford Cortina Mark III
    TC11970–1976
  • Ford Taunus TC
    TC1970–1975
  • Ford Cortina Mark IV
    Mk IV1976–1979
  • Ford Taunus TC2
    TC21976–1979
  • Ford Cortina Mark V / Taunus TC3
    Mark V / TC31979–1982
  • Ford Sierra MkI
    MkI1982–1987
  • Ford Sierra Mark Two
    Mark Two1987–1993
  • Ford Mondeo
    Ford Mondeo

Power over the years

From 60 hp to 323 hp in 8 years.

0100200300400 19821984198619881990 hp 1982 · 60 hp · Launch 1.31983 · 148 hp · XR4i 2.8 V61984 · 216 hp · South African XR8 5.0 V81985 · 145 hp · Merkur XR4Ti automatic1985 · 175 hp · Merkur XR4Ti five-speed1986 · 204 hp · Three-door RS Cosworth1987 · 224 hp · RS500 road car1988 · 204 hp · Sapphire RS Cosworth RWD1990 · 79 hp · 1.6 CVH1990 · 118 hp · 2.0 DOHC1990 · 220 hp · Sapphire RS Cosworth 4x41990 · 323 hp · Turbo Technics Minker K-1/323 323 hp Turbo Technics Minker K-1/323 60 hp Launch 1.3
236781011121314
Show the numbers
YearHorsepowerModel
198260Launch 1.3
1983148XR4i 2.8 V6
1984216South African XR8 5.0 V8
1985145Merkur XR4Ti automatic
1985175Merkur XR4Ti five-speed
1986204Three-door RS Cosworth
1987224RS500 road car
1988204Sapphire RS Cosworth RWD
1990791.6 CVH
19901182.0 DOHC
1990220Sapphire RS Cosworth 4x4
1990323Turbo Technics Minker K-1/323

Versions

11 versions worth knowing, with their power.

  • Base / L / GL / Ghia / CL / CLX / LX / S / GT

    Standard

    Base / L / GL / Ghia / CL / CLX / LX / S / GT

  • XR4i 2.8 V6

    Performance

    XR4i 2.8 V6

    148 hp
  • XR4x4 / GLS 4x4 / Ghia 4x4 estate

    Performance

    XR4x4 / GLS 4x4 / Ghia 4x4 estate

  • Merkur XR4Ti

    Performance

    Merkur XR4Ti

    1985–1989

  • XR4 / Ghia S / Ghia SX (Argentina)

    Performance

    XR4 / Ghia S / Ghia SX (Argentina)

  • Sapphire RS Cosworth (rear-wheel drive)

    Performance

    Sapphire RS Cosworth (rear-wheel drive)

    1988–1989

    204 hp

    13,140 built

  • Sapphire RS Cosworth 4x4

    Performance

    Sapphire RS Cosworth 4x4

    1990–1992

    220 hp

    12,250 built

  • RS Cosworth three-door

    Racing

    RS Cosworth three-door

    1986–1987

    204 hp

    5,545 built

  • Performance

    Turbo Technics Minker K-1 / 323

    323 hp
  • RS500 Cosworth

    Limited

    RS500 Cosworth

    1987

    224 hp

    500 built

  • XR8 (South Africa)

    Racing

    XR8 (South Africa)

    216 hp

    250 built

How to spot one

Look for

  • Rounded bodywork gave early Sierras the jellymould nickname.112
  • Early Ghia and XR4i models have a smooth, grille-free panel between their headlights.1
  • Early cars put turn signals in the bumper; facelift cars place them beside the headlights.1
  • XR4i rear side glass is divided; the original Cosworth has one large rear-quarter window.3

Year by year

  1. 1985

    Small spoiler-like strakes appeared on the rear side-window seals to improve crosswind stability.1

  2. 1987

    Turn signals moved beside redesigned headlights; the four-door Sapphire sedan joined the range.1

  3. 1987

    Hatchbacks gained slimmer, wider rear lights; side glass became slightly larger with sharper corners.1

Don’t confuse it with

  • Merkur XR4Ti

    An XR4i near-twin, with stretched bumpers and Merkur emblems or lettering on the tailgate.11

  • Sierra RS500 replicas

    Factory RS500s had a sunroof, right-hand drive and black, white or moonstone blue paint. Look-alike tuner conversions also exist.617

Against its rivals

  • Vauxhall Cavalier 1.6L (Mk II)

    Sierra vs Vauxhall Cavalier 1.6L (Mk II)

    0–97 km/h lower is better

    Sierra12.5 s
    Vauxhall Cavalier 1.6L (Mk II)11 s
    112

Prices

Value today $3.2K–$146.0K2526

Price when newAuction saleValue todayPrices on a log scale
$1K$10K$100K$1M 1990200020102020 Value today: $3,200–$146,000 1985 · $16,361 · US Merkur XR4Ti base, approx.1987 · $28,500 · Germany RS Cosworth, as tested 1985 · around $16,361 · US Merkur XR4Ti base, 1985 model year (approx.) 2024 · $73,000 · 1987 RS Cosworth, 61k km, BaT2026 · $27,872 · Sierra Sapphire Cosworth, Collecting Cars2026 · $113,343 · Sierra RS500 Cosworth, Iconic Auctioneers2026 · $29,250 · Sierra Sapphire Cosworth, Iconic Auctioneers2026 · $37,674 · Sierra RS Cosworth, Barons Manor Park2026 · $3,250 · Sierra Sapphire, Mathewsons2026 · $19,743 · Sierra XR4x4, Iconic Auctioneers2026 · $2,730 · Sierra, Mathewsons $113.3K Iconic Auctioneers, 2026
1116252627
Show the numbers
YearPriceAmountDetail
1985Launch price$16,361US Merkur XR4Ti base, 1985 model year (approx.)
1985Price when new$16,361US Merkur XR4Ti base, approx.
1987Price when new$28,500Germany RS Cosworth, as tested
2024Auction sale$73,0001987 RS Cosworth, 61k km, BaT
2026Auction sale$27,872Sierra Sapphire Cosworth, Collecting Cars
2026Auction sale$113,343Sierra RS500 Cosworth, Iconic Auctioneers
2026Auction sale$29,250Sierra Sapphire Cosworth, Iconic Auctioneers
2026Auction sale$37,674Sierra RS Cosworth, Barons Manor Park
2026Auction sale$3,250Sierra Sapphire, Mathewsons
2026Auction sale$19,743Sierra XR4x4, Iconic Auctioneers
2026Auction sale$2,730Sierra, Mathewsons
2026Value today$3,200–$146,000

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 11 versions matters

  • Legend

    • 14 stories from its legend
    • “202.6 km/h with skiers on the roof”
    • “Three BTCC clean sweeps, one drivers' title”

  • Generations

    • The story of each of the 10 generations

  • Market

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

SPOT is free on iPhone. Full car files come with SPOT Plus.

Sources

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

See all 27 sources
  1. Ford Sierra - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  2. Sierra RS500 – The Ford RS Owners Club rsownersclub.co.uk
  3. Ford Sierra RS Cosworth – review, history and specs of an icon | evo evo.co.uk
  4. Into the Vortex – Part One – Driven to Write driventowrite.com
  5. History fordpower.org.uk
  6. Ford Sierra RS Cosworth - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  7. Ford Sierra RS Cosworth: Retro Road Test retromotor.co.uk
  8. Ford Sierra Buying Guide - Petrolicious petrolicious.com
  9. Historia fordsierranet.com.ar
  10. CELEBRATING FORD SOUTH AFRICA’S HERITAGE WITH THESE HOMEGROWN MODELS autoworld.co.za
  11. 1985-1989 Merkur XR4TI Buyer's Guide - Motor Trend motortrend.com
  12. Sierra Shock (Part Two) – Driven to Write driventowrite.com
  13. :::: Ford-Sierra-Scene :::: ford-sierra-scene.de
  14. Celebrating 40 Years Of TT | Turbo Technics turbotechnics.com
  15. Bonhams Cars : 1988 Ford Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth Sports Saloon Chassis no. GBBFJA 76240 Engine no. JA 76240 carsd.bonhams.com
  16. Tested: 1987 Ford Sierra RS Cosworth Embraces Its Rally Roots caranddriver.com
  17. Ford Sierra RS500 Cosworth Database | Build List & History - Buyers Guide rs500cosworth.com
  18. Ford Cortina - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  19. Ford Taunus TC - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  20. Ford Sierra Cosworth May 2010 - Motor Sport Magazine motorsportmagazine.com
  21. Ford Sierra RS500: the anatomy of a BTCC racer | evo evo.co.uk
  22. IGCD.net - Internet Game Cars Database igcd.net
  23. The Gran Turismo 7 November Update: Three New Cars, including a Special 25th Anniversary Edition X2019, and the Road Atlanta Track! - gran-turismo.com gran-turismo.com
  24. This Ford Sierra Cosworth RS500 just sold for nearly £600,000 | GRR goodwood.com
  25. Ford Sierra (1982–1993) | British Classic Cars britishclassiccars.co.uk
  26. Sierra RS Cosworth values: what a Cossie sells for britishclassiccars.co.uk
  27. 1987 Ford Sierra RS Cosworth for sale on BaT Auctions - sold for $73,000 on October 15, 2024 (Lot #166,769) | Bring a Trailer bringatrailer.com
  • en.wikipedia.org
  • rsownersclub.co.uk
  • evo.co.uk
  • driventowrite.com
  • fordpower.org.uk
  • retromotor.co.uk
  • petrolicious.com
  • fordsierranet.com.ar
  • autoworld.co.za
  • motortrend.com
  • ford-sierra-scene.de
  • turbotechnics.com
  • carsd.bonhams.com
  • caranddriver.com

Photo credits

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