The Ford RS200 is a four wheel drive rally-homologation special. It was not based on the Ford Escort as many think but was created fresh. There were 200 units built to comply with Group B rally rules current in 1984 - 1986 (although once counted, 50 were broken for spare parts, so only around 148 were ever available to sell or be used). They were initally fitted with a turbocharged 1.8 litre engine putting out 250 hp (186 kW). As the sale progressed most were sold with a 300 or 250 BHP upgrade kit. After being homologated for Motorsport in 1985 the group B was banned so there was no group to race in after 1996/1997.

The body, a 2-door composite/glass-fibre sports car body styled by Ghia is mounted onto the unique chassis. Regulations allowed 10% of the 200 cars built to be an evolution model. A prototype "super-sports" model as such, the Evolution had a completely new engine 2100cc and started at around 400 BHP with many reaching 700/800 BHP. It once held the Guinness record for the fastest-accelerating car (0-62mph (100 km/h) in 2.8 seconds) for many years until beaten by the McLaren F1.

External Links

Ford RS 200 Information