World's Fastest Sedans
Ford Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth
It's not exactly pretty or a powerhouse, but that's exactly why the Ford Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth is a lot faster than anybody will ever assume. That body shell is also good for a slick 0.33 Cd. The 4-valve-per-cylinder 2-litre Cosworth-developed YBB engine is equipped with an intercooled Garret AirResearch TO3 turbocharger that delivers 9psi of boost, resulting in a total of 204 horsepower for the 2WD model. While a slightly more powerful 4WD model is also available, which was produced after 1990, the extra drivetrain weight and friction actually make that model slower in a straight line.
The tranny is a Borg Warner T5 5-speed manual and stopping power comes
from 283 mm (11.14 inch) vented discs with 4 pot calipers in the front and 273
mm (10.75 inch) solid discs at the back. All the components wrapped together in
a light-weight sub-2800 lb package make the Sierra RS Cosworth very capable in
a straight line and a great 4-door track car, albeit a generally unreliable
one. Plus you get up to 35 mpg on the highway. Approximately 13,140 of the cars
were built between 1988 and 1991, both in LHD and RHD versions for the British
market. - by Traian Popescu
Specifications (2WD only)
| Base Price, GBP | 19,500 | Engine Type | turbo dohc 16-valve I4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powertrain Layout | Front engine, RWD | Displacement, cc | 1993 |
| Horsepower@rpm | 204@6000 | Torque, lb-ft@rpm | 205@4500 |
| Curb Weight, lb | 2756 | 0-60 mph, sec | 6.1 |
| 0-100 mph, sec | 15.8 | 600 ft slalom, mph | - |
| 70-0 mph, ft | - | Top speed, mph | 151 |