Why did Ford’s unstoppable Escort stumble in 1990?
Big Car・24 minutes read
The Ford Escort was a highly successful model for Ford of Europe in the 1960s and 70s, with 24 million cars sold, ranking as the second best-selling Ford vehicle of all time. Despite facing challenges in various markets, the Escort saw significant success in the UK, dominating in rallying and winning the European Car of the Year in 1981 before being replaced by the Ford Focus in 1998.
Insights
- The Ford Escort, developed jointly by Ford of Germany and Ford of Britain, became a massive success in the 1960s and 70s, outselling the Mini by almost 5 times and ranking as the second best-selling Ford vehicle ever with 24 million cars sold.
- The Escort underwent significant transformations over its generations, from reliability and ease of driving in the first generation to a rally-dominating powerhouse in the third generation. Despite facing challenges and criticism, the Escort's evolution showcased Ford's adaptability and commitment to innovation, culminating in the introduction of the Ford Focus as its successor in 1998.
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What was the Ford Escort known for?
Reliability and ease of driving.
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Summary
00:00
Ford Escort: Iconic European Success Story
- The Ford Escort was a significant success for Ford of Europe in the 1960s and 70s, outselling the Mini by almost 5 times.
- The Escort ranks as the second best-selling Ford vehicle of all time, with 24 million cars sold.
- The Escort was developed as a joint effort between Ford of Germany and Ford of Britain, initially intended as an update to the Ford Anglia.
- The Escort featured upgrades like synchromesh gears, rack and pinion steering, and the Aeroflow system from the Cortina.
- The first generation Escort was known for its reliability and ease of driving, with a 0-60 time of 22 seconds.
- The Escort was popular in the UK, competing with the Ford Cortina, but faced challenges in other European markets.
- The Escort's success in motorsport led to the development of sportier models like the RS1600 and RS2000.
- The second generation Escort, codenamed "Brenda," featured a new underbody and trim levels like Popular, L, GL, and Ghia.
- The Escort continued to dominate in rallying, winning the RAC Rally and World Rally Championship multiple times.
- The third generation Escort was redesigned as a front-wheel-drive model with a hatchback, aiming to compete with Volkswagen's Golf and Japanese imports.
13:39
Evolution of Ford Escort from 1980-1992
- The third generation Escort was introduced in 1980, featuring a boxier design with improved aerodynamics, winning the European Car of the Year in 1981.
- The car became the top-selling car in the UK until 1990, offering engine options ranging from 1.1L to 1.6L, with an automatic transmission added in 1983.
- Ford attempted a turbo RS1700 version for rallying but later developed the mid-engined RS200 in 1984, powered by a 1.8L Cosworth engine.
- The XR3 and XR3i models were popular hot hatches, with limited RS versions like the RS1600i and a turbo variant introduced.
- The European Escort faced suspension criticism for a harsh ride, with various engine upgrades and models released throughout the 1980s.
- The North American Escort, introduced in 1980, featured a hatchback and station wagon version, with engine options including a 1.6L and 1.9L, later adding a 2.0L Mazda diesel.
- The North American Escort saw success but faced declining sales as customers shifted towards larger family sedans, leading to the introduction of the Mercury Tracer in 1987.
- The European Ford Escort underwent a major update for the fifth generation in 1990, with a heavier build and inferior torsion bar suspension, leading to criticism from motor critics.
- In 1992, Ford improved the Escort's suspension and steering, introducing Zetec engines and making fuel injection standard on all petrol engines, regaining the top spot in UK sales.
- The 1992 release of the 4x4 Escort RS Cosworth, based on a shortened Sierra chassis, featured a powerful 224hp 2.0L Cosworth engine, becoming highly sought after despite failing to achieve rally success.
27:36
Ford Escort: Evolution, Decline, and Revival
- In 1995, the Ford Escort underwent a sixth generation refresh, receiving a facelift resembling the Mondeo, improved interior quality, enhanced handling and ride, and the introduction of the Escort GTi badge in 1997. Despite these updates, the Escort lost popularity in the UK to the smaller Fiesta, never regaining its top sales position.
- The Ford Focus was introduced in 1998 as a successor to the Escort, featuring significant design and performance improvements. Despite this, Ford continued to sell the old Escort model alongside the Focus as a budget option, with the Escort van remaining in production until 2002. The European Escort experienced a resurgence in New Zealand before being replaced by the Focus, and production continued in Argentina until 2004. In 2014, Ford reintroduced the Escort name in China, based on the second generation Ford Focus, to maximize production cost efficiency.
