FIVE TRIALS
We enjoy the RS 500 Cosworth and put it fully to the test
1 DAILY DRIVING
We’re working with hypotheticals here because we doubt that many (if any) owners would be happy to press their prized RS 500 into regular use given their upsurge in values of late. That said, those who would serious entertain commuting in their Cossie might find it a mundane prospect. The extra powerproducing capacity of the big high-inertia turbo is hardly ever felt, which results in the RS 500 being underwhelming unless you can keep the revs high – and such occurrences are largely infrequent in peak time trac. It’s worth bearing in ind, too, that the positioning, rather than the sheer size, of this Ford’s trademark rear spoiler can also impede visibility somewhat.
2 IN THE SERVICE BAY
A lot depends on the state of tune here. As long as things have been kept sensible, there’s nothing really to worry about – 330bhp is considered to be the safe limit so any more than that and you can anticipate reliability issues. It also goes without saying that a car that’s been the subject of extensive modifications will require more frequent servicing than one that hasn’t. White smoke suggests that the turbo is worn; budget between £250 for a used unit and £750 for a brand-new one. Clutches tend to last around 40,000 miles on unmodified cars (less than that in the case of cars with significant power hikes) but its fleet car underpinnings mean that it’s straightforward to replace.
3 ON THE SHOW CIRCUIT
There’s no shortage of shows catering for Fast Fords at which a genuine RS 500 will be positively revered by hordes of adoring fans. We’ll mention a few highlights, though; the new for 2023 Ford Power Live at Oulton Park promises an enticing mix of on- and o-track action on 15 July and its sister event at Brands Hatch takes place on 17 September. Beaulieu’s Simply Ford event is also just around the corner, scheduled for Sunday 21 May. That’s before we consider tracks days, which allow owners to explore their race-inspired saloons’ full potential in a derestricted environment.
4 THE LONG WEEKEND
The RS 500 can hustle with deceptive pace and smoothness once the whizz-bang turbo shock has worn o. What’s more, this is ultimately a Sierra, which was painstakingly designed to deliver harassed salesmen to their destinations relaxed and unflustered. To wit the cabin is comfortable and more than capable of accommodating in a family of five plus everything they require for a jolly day out. Fuel economy in the mid-twenties is about as good as it gets on a consistent, lawabiding motorway cruise, which again isn’t terrible on the wallet. The challenge will be maintaining steady progress when overtaking in this behemoth is so ludicrously simple.
5 THE B ROAD BLAST
The Sierra is more than happy to go sideways on a quiet B-road yet it’s less intimidating than you’d expect, despite the absence of electronic traction aids. Don’t expect the scalpel-sharp precision of an E30-generation BMW M3 but the Cosworth isn’t the blunt tool that its Essex boy image might suggest. That said, moderation certainly favours the uninitiated; measured braking prevents the wide tyres from tramlining and the steering from pulling and reining your right foot in when accelerating out of corners lessens the risk of the engine’s colossal power overwhelming the rear tyres and sending the car o into the scenery.