The Ford Escort RS Cosworth remains an iconic vehicle in the world of performance cars. Born out of Ford's rallying prowess, this hot hatchback became an instant classic, combining a distinctive rally-inspired design with impressive power and handling capabilities.

 

This particular car has been modified by world-renowned Cosworth specialist, Romain Oppliger, owner of Oppliger Motorsports. His attention to detail is unmatched and the quality of this build is evident throughout the vehicle. Not much has been left untouched with an estimated total for this build coming in at $50,000+.

 

The aggressively stanced Escort is a boxy beauty adorned with a distinctive rear spoiler and flared wheel arches, giving the car a purposeful appearance. The whale-tail spoiler not only adds to its aesthetic appeal but also serves a functional purpose by providing increased downforce at high speeds. The flawless white paint resembles an early motorsport version before team liveries were applied to the factory-backed rally cars. At each corner of the car are white Compomotive TH wheels, and tucked under them is a Tarox Big Brake kit which allows the car to stop on a dime. Intrax suspension and a complete Powerflex bushing kit keep things tidy under heavy cornering.

 

Under the hood, you’ll find a comprehensive list of modifications, with each part complementing the entire build. What you end up with is a robust platform that is capable of being driven hard. Some of the highlights include a Borg Warner EFR 7670, a T4 stainless steel and ceramic coated exhaust manifold, a forged bottom end, an ECUMaster ECU, a larger intercooler, and a radiator with silicon hoses. The car was dyno-tuned in Denver, Colorado with Steve Sampier of Divulge Motorsports, and makes 420 horsepower to the wheel (550 horsepower at the crank).

 

You'll have the option to increase power to 650 at the wheel -- an astonishing 765 hp at the crank. The increased power requires switching to flex fuel along with upgrading the fuel pump and injectors..

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Inside the cabin, the Escort RS Cosworth offers a driver-centric environment. Racing-inspired Recaro bucket seats, a three-spoke Sparco steering wheel and pedals, and a performance-oriented instrument cluster with an indigo-blue glow create an immersive driving experience. A red kill switch allows for quick emergency shut off and next to it are two small switches. One allows the use of a fan for auxiliary fan cooling and the other, which we’ll call the fun switch, enables anti-lag. The interior design reflects a perfect balance between functionality and comfort, ensuring that the driver feels connected to the car at all times.