Ford RS 200 Group B

It is a classic, to some extent unknown. This is the Ford RS 200, a sports car that the European division of the American automaker manufactured between 1984 and 1986 . The mission of this car was to compete in the ‘super class’ rallying: Group B.

Glorious times

The four years of Group B competition are considered by many to represent the golden age of rallying. Almost unreal machines were part of this category during those years.

In this period, true legends were born, such as the Audi Quattro, the Lancia 037 and Delta S4, as well as the Peugeot 205 Turbo 16, among others. They were small cars, with all-wheel drive, really powerful engines and, above all, very light.

However, this range of vehicles was discontinued in 1986, after a series of fatal accidents . The vehicles turned out to be powerful and untamed machines ; not even the most experienced pilots seemed capable of having absolute control over them.

The end of Group B spelled an untimely death for the RS 200. Between 1987 and 1992 24 additional units called RS 200 Evolution were produced. These were models that were destined for the rallycross circuits and that were even more powerful than the originals.

Ford RS 200: exterior design

Inspired in all areas by the Audi Quattro and the Peugeot 205 Rurbo 16, Ford’s commitment to Group B took features from the exterior line of another model of the house, the Sierra . Both designed in Europe, they faced their development and production stage in the early 1980s.

For all this and using an absolutely pragmatic spirit, those responsible for the rally car borrowed elements developed for tourism. The front window and the distribution of the rear lights are two clear examples.

Inside

The Ford RS 200 was a vehicle designed to race. The ‘commercial’ versions, those 200 units that had to be put up for sale at dealerships in order to meet FIA standards, offered little more.

Inside, two seats without much space to inhabit and just an audio player as an additional element. And also without a trunk, since its usual place would be occupied by a huge central engine.

Mechanics and motors

To power a car weighing just 1,050 kg, it had a 16-valve in-line four-cylinder central engine . A machine capable of developing 450 horsepower at 8,000 revolutions per minute.

The model to the public that was marketed as standard was a little less pretentious; the power offered on the market was 250 hp. In all cases, a five-speed manual gearbox.

The all-wheel drive distributed the force 30% between the front axles, 70% for the rear ones. Rally drivers also had the option of equally distributing the work between the four wheels.

All of the above accompanied by a suspension of eight independent shock absorbers, distributed in four pairs. Thanks to this, the car moved at high speeds on land or on asphalt and hardly any differences were noticeable.

Ford RS 200 Evolution

This kind of special edition, of which only 24 units were made, was even more powerful. The parameters offered by its engine are still the envy of more than a modern sports model today: between 550 and 800 hp . Going from 0 to 100 km / h only took him two seconds.

Price

In 1986, the Ford RS 200 competed with other Group B models, also among the public’s preferences. In practice and comparatively speaking, the RS did not always fare well against the competition.

In France, the few dealers that offered it set its price at 650,000 francs. Two of its toughest racing rivals, the Lacia S4 and the Audi Quattro (coupe version) were selling for 450,000 and 324,500 francs, respectively.

If we analyze prices of other charismatic models, even one of the most iconic sports cars of all time, the Porsche 911 Turbo, was worth 548,000 francs.

The story that was not

The death of Group B only allowed the Ford RS 200 to take part in four races in 1986. Its results ended up being a bit discreet, since its best position was a third place .