More Group B sales action - a Ford RS 200 Evo pops up in classifieds ad
If a Porsche 959 is just too commonplace or not quite raw enough to satisfy your primal rally-car lust, how about a Ford RS 200 Evolution? Where as the German vehicle was much like a well-dressed triathlete with social skills, Ford's entry into the Group B madness of the 1980s had a personality more along the lines of a serial killer.
Cosworth was put in charge of squeezing serious power from the turbocharged 2.1L four-banger, and it succeeded to the tune of something in the neighborhood of 650 HP in the Evolution models. Combine that with the weight distribution afforded by a front-mounted transmission (odd for a mid-engined AWD car), and the RS 200 Evo could supposedly scratch its way to 60 MPH in just over two seconds. The distinctive bodywork was designed by Ghia, while a significant number of parts came from the Ford of Europe parts bin.
200 of the vehicles were originally built, with 24 later receiving the conversion to Evolution status. In other words, if something like this strikes your fancy, we'd suggest not passing up the chance.
[Source: Autoweek Classifieds]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
GhostDoggy 10:56AM (8/12/2006)
Ford would never release a vehicle like this again in the USA. They fear what little car sales will be lost against their beloved Mustangy.
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Kevin L 11:27AM (8/12/2006)
Wow! does anyone see an AMC Pacer in those headlights, or is just a delussional old man, seeing things from days gone by.
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tudor 11:58AM (8/12/2006)
one of them is in Romania, in a private collection...I have seenit once, it is fully operational, quite impressive...net to it was an XJ220 (pour les counessours)
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Speed42 12:08PM (8/12/2006)
Dammit. Just got off the phone with the bank. They, uh, said no.
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JayP 12:16PM (8/12/2006)
The RS 200 is right there with the GT40 as one of Ford's crowning achievements in performance technology.
Little too late though- Group B would have been insane.
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Robert Emslie 1:08PM (8/12/2006)
Oh man, I have always wanted one of those. Can't afford one, probably kill myself if I ever got behind the wheel of one, but oh man I still want one!
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sb 1:32PM (8/12/2006)
These cars have something like a sub-10 hour shelf life. 650 hp out of a 2.1 litre takes its toll on the equipment.
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dt 4:10PM (8/12/2006)
The road going version would not be getting 650 hp, probably more like low 200's. Very cool car all the same, from when rally cars were way over the hairy edge. My dream car back then was a hybrid: a 037 with a Delta S4 drivetrain, but this would be cool too ... hard to believe that was 20 years ago already ...
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Bob-o 5:23PM (8/12/2006)
The ad says this:
"Powered by a 2.1 liter Cosworth turbo with 600 hp, chassis #87 is one of only 24. One owner with only 4000 miles, the car is in new conditions. The EVO has been clocked as the fastest street car ever produced at 0 to 60 in 2.1 seconds and an est. top speed of 185 mph."
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Taylor Alexander 9:41PM (8/12/2006)
Crap, that place is right by my house! I actually went to school with that guy's daughter (the owner of the company selling it). I wanna go see it now! I'll take some pics and send them to you guys if I do! :)
-Taylor
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Tim C 11:55AM (8/13/2006)
1. Ford would never release a vehicle like this again in the USA. They fear what little car sales will be lost against their beloved Mustangy.
Uh, this is twenty years old Ghostdoggy. I don't think there are any plans to put a two decade old competition car into production again.
6. These cars have something like a sub-10 hour shelf life. 650 hp out of a 2.1 litre takes its toll on the equipment
And an F1 engine will go bang after 500 miles. It's a competition car. It is designed to make gobs of power for a limited period. What's your point?
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fizzandpop 4:12PM (8/14/2006)
One word: RALLYCROSS
OK here are some more. These things were truly spectacular when up against Minis, Beetles, Metro RV4s, 911s, or whatever those rallycross nutters used to think was a good idea to race. I remember when they got shunted from behind, the entire rear bodywork would fly up into the air and land about half a mile away.
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Mike 2:22PM (8/16/2006)
0-60 in 2.1 seconds!!! Now that is a fast car.
I'll take two.
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