Classic Escort Continuation Model Revealed

[DeluxeStang]

https://www.motor1.com/news/743987/ford-escort-rs-boreham-motorworks/

Only 150 will be made, it's gonna be very expensive like all of these sorts of cars, but it's kinda badass. 296 hp motor, based on the original lotus 2.1 design but vastly improved, revs to about 10,000 RPMs, 5 speed manual, weight somewhere in the 2,000s. Sounds like a blast to drive.

With Ford giving them their support and blessing, and with some of the trademarks Ford's filed recently, I wonder if they're at least considering bringing back some of their smaller icons like escort and rs 200. Those both seem ripe for a revival. Plus they tie right into Ford's strategy of leaning into past icons and reviving the RS brand.

Cool to see either way.

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[MaddNomad]

https://www.motor1.com/news/743987/ford-escort-rs-boreham-motorworks/

Only 150 will be made, it's gonna be very expensive like all of these sorts of cars, but it's kinda badass. 296 hp motor, based on the original lotus 2.1 design but vastly improved, revs to about 10,000 RPMs, 5 speed manual, weight somewhere in the 2,000s. Sounds like a blast to drive.

With Ford giving them their support and blessing, and with some of the trademarks Ford's filed recently, I wonder if they're at least considering bringing back some of their smaller icons like escort and rs 200. Those both seem ripe for a revival. Plus they tie right into Ford's strategy of leaning into past icons and reviving the RS brand.

Cool to see either way.

I was excited to see the reveal, would love to see a RS return

 

[DeluxeStang]

I was excited to see the reveal, would love to see a RS return

Yeah, in that interview where Ford's CEO talked about getting rid of boring cars in favor of doing more enthusiast stuff, he mentioned RS branding as one of the things he'd like to return.

 

[MaddNomad]

Yeah, in that interview where Ford's CEO talked about getting rid of boring cars in favor of doing more enthusiast stuff, he mentioned RS branding as one of the things he'd like to return.

That’s great news.

That brand is one of Ford’s hidden gems which I’m surprised they never went all in with stateside. Only American car manufacturer that had cars that import guys respected and wanted like that.

 

[DeluxeStang]

That’s great news.

That brand is one of Ford’s hidden gems which I’m surprised they never went all in with stateside. Only American car manufacturer that had cars that import guys respected and wanted like that.

Imagine a new RS 200. 2.3 Ecoboost hybrid with around 450 hp, mid-engine, comparable to the c8 in price.

 

[MaddNomad]

Imagine a new RS 200. 2.3 Ecoboost hybrid with around 450 hp, mid-engine, comparable to the c8 in price.

Then we’d have to hear the Corvette guys all the time

 

[agreywolfe]

the RS200 is the mid engine Mustang everyone wants but nobody can buy

i would willingly go 50k in the hole for a modern ***FAITHFUL*** version.

 

[MaddNomad]

the RS200 is the mid engine Mustang everyone wants but nobody can buy

i would willingly go 50k in the hole for a modern ***FAITHFUL*** version.

Like I said before, Ford had a little bit of something for everybody and they all were legendary.

 

[DeluxeStang]

the RS200 is the mid engine Mustang everyone wants but nobody can buy

i would willingly go 50k in the hole for a modern ***FAITHFUL*** version.

I need to stress this is just a theory of mine. But I'm just looking at all the pieces. Ford trademarking the RS 200 name, Ford designers creating that concept of a modern RS 200. Then you have to realize Ford has to see just like every other brand is, just how much of a runaway success the c8 has been. Factor in the CEO's comments on how the RS brand will make a return, and interviewers apparently said he sounded almost regretful when talking about how the RS 200 was never offered here.

It's just a lot of things adding up on my mind. Ford testing a c8 a few years ago. The fact that the 2.3 hybrid being developed for the Ecoboost mustang would be perfect for a modern RS 200. Will it happen? Probably not, but it's not the worst theory.

 

[DeluxeStang]

Like I said before, Ford had a little bit of something for everybody and they all were legendary.

I think that's what their CEO is talking about. Going back to the days where their lineup was full of legendary cars, not just boring vehicles.

This renault was revealed today, I believe this is the production design. When Ford talks about making these smaller EVs, and making them exciting, aspirational products, this is the sort of thing that comes to mind. An escort or something done in this 80s wedge inspired, flared fenders, cyberpunk looking rally car style would get a lot of attention imo.

 

[MaddNomad]

I think that's what their CEO is talking about. Going back to the days where their lineup was full of legendary cars, not just boring vehicles.

This renault was revealed today, I believe this is the production design. When Ford talks about making these smaller EVs, and making them exciting, aspirational products, this is the sort of thing that comes to mind. An escort or something done in this 80s wedge inspired, flared fenders, cyberpunk looking rally car style would get a lot of attention imo.

I could see it happen, but with Jim you can definitely tell he was in marketing. He says really exciting things but sometimes he says things that make people scratch their head.

100% agree with what you’ve been saying the about the RS though, Escort would be awesome. I just hope it’s not just the Puma Gen-E coming here or like a RS Escape EV

 

[DeluxeStang]

I could see it happen, but with Jim you can definitely tell he was in marketing. He says really exciting things but sometimes he says things that make people scratch their head.

100% agree with what you’ve been saying the about the RS though, Escort would be awesome. I just hope it’s not just the Puma Gen-E coming here or like a RS Escape EV

Agreed. Or at the very least, take the Audi R8 approach. By that, I mean when Audi first launched the r8, they came out with this awesome supercar you could buy. But they also gave some of that cool factor and styling cues to other vehicles in their lineup. If making an RS escape means we get a much cooler looking, better to drive escape, I'm ok with that. But only if it means we also get things like an escort and rs 200, a full family of fun to drive RS products. If they just make an RS escape, I'm gonna be pissed, they better not stop there lol.

 

[DeluxeStang]

The dream for Ford imo would be to not just tap into their classic models, but tap into the era when those models were are their peak. So for instance, instead of saying let's make everything 60s inspired, 80s inspired, 90s inspired, they say let's late inspiration from when each model was at its peak. Let's make a mustang that looks more like a 1967 mustang fastback, let's make an escort that takes inspiration from the 90s, an RS 200 that's 80s inspired. Then you sell all of them at the same time.

 

[MaddNomad]

Agreed. Or at the very least, take the Audi R8 approach. By that, I mean when Audi first launched the r8, they came out with this awesome supercar you could buy. But they also gave some of that cool factor and styling cues to other vehicles in their lineup. If making an RS escape means we get a much cooler looking, better to drive escape, I'm ok with that. But only if it means we also get things like an escort and rs 200, a full family of fun to drive RS products. If they just make an RS escape, I'm gonna be pissed, they better not stop there lol.

Honestly how you bring up the escort makes me think that’s the missing piece to the “affordable” enthusiast car issue people have. The Mustang being pushed as the flagship sports car is fine at this point with the GTD and race efforts.

A Escort like you said in its most legendary form for inspiration could be special. RS would have to be geared towards that import crowd again. RS200 could make a lot of sense with Toyota bringing the MR2 out, rumor has it that Toyota is positioning it as a premium product.

 

[DeluxeStang]

Honestly how you bring up the escort makes me think that’s the missing piece to the “affordable” enthusiast car issue people have. The Mustang being pushed as the flagship sports car is fine at this point with the GTD and race efforts.

A Escort like you said in its most legendary form for inspiration could be special. RS would have to be geared towards that import crowd again. RS200 could make a lot of sense with Toyota bringing the MR2 out, rumor has it that Toyota is positioning it as a premium product.

We're totally on the same page as this. I was thinking the escort needed to return. The only question is how to do that without the escort and mustang cannibalizing sales off one enough, you don't want that as a brand. The best way to avoid that is to make each model drastically different so they appeal to different groups of buyers.

The 90s escort already has that hatchback shape we all know and love. What if Ford did a modern interpretation, but found a way to sneak some rear doors in there, making it more practical? That way, Ford is appealing to the hatchback crowd, but also the people who want an affordable sporty car.

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