The Ford RS200: The Rally Supercar That Never Was

🚘The Ford RS200 was developed as a rear-wheel-drive, turbocharged variant of the MKIII Escort for Group B racing.

🏆The RS200 featured a unique design with a plastic-fiberglass composite body, a mid-mounted engine, and all-wheel drive.

💥The project faced several challenges and was abandoned in frustration, leading Ford to develop a purpose-built rally car.

📉Although it had limited success in racing, the RS200 achieved third place at the 1986 WRC Rally of Sweden.

⚠️The RS200's legacy was marred by tragic accidents, including one at the Rally de Portugal that claimed three lives.

What was the purpose of developing the Ford RS200?

—The Ford RS200 was developed for Group B rally racing as a rear-wheel-drive, turbocharged variant of the MKIII Escort.

What were the key features of the RS200?

—The RS200 had a unique design with a plastic-fiberglass body, a mid-mounted engine, and all-wheel drive.

Why was the development of the RS200 abandoned?

—The development of the RS200 was abandoned due to various challenges, and Ford decided to develop a purpose-built rally car instead.

Did the RS200 achieve success in racing?

—Although it had limited success, the RS200 achieved third place at the 1986 WRC Rally of Sweden.

What marred the legacy of the RS200?

—The RS200's legacy was marred by tragic accidents, including one at the Rally de Portugal that claimed three lives.

00:07Following the introduction of the MKIII Escort in 1980, Ford Motorsport developed a rear-wheel-drive, turbocharged variant of the vehicle for Group B racing.

00:36Ford executives decided to develop a new, purpose-built rally car after abandoning the rear-wheel-drive variant, resulting in the creation of the RS200.

02:37The RS200 achieved limited success in racing, with its best-ever finish being third place at the 1986 WRC Rally of Sweden.

03:08The RS200's legacy was marred by tragic accidents, including one at the Rally de Portugal that claimed three lives.

04:07Ford had planned to introduce a more powerful variant of the RS200 in 1987, but the ban on Group B racing led to the model's demise.

05:28The original RS200 bodywork tooling was later used to create a kit car version based on the Austin Maestro.

05:52Thirty years after its introduction, the RS200 continues to be a symbol of Ford's technology capabilities and motorsports heritage.

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