BUYING: Sierra XR4x4

Performance, practicality and ease of ownership — the XR4x4 has all this and much more. Here’s what you need to know if you’re about to buy one.

What you need to know if you’re on the hunt for Ford’s ’80s master of traction.

Ford had dabbled with four-wheel-drive vehicles as early as the ‘60s, but it wasn’t until the March 1985 launch of the Sierra XRx4 that it was able to offer a production model that boasted traction at every corner.

Drawing inspiration from the manufacturer’s all-wheel drive one-offs and competition cars, plus a three-door 4x4 Sierra concept screwed together by Ferguson Formula Developments (FFD), Ford’s Special Vehicle Engineering (SVE) division thrashed out the specification for the XR4x4.

It was no easy task either, SVE having to be creative in the way it stitched the four-wheel drive

running gear into the Sierra to avoid intruding into cabin space or adding a heap of weight. The use of lightweight alloys helped resolve the latter, while so clever was the drivetrain packaging that a standard Sierra carpet could be utilised.

It wasn’t only four-wheel-drive that the new XR4x4 debuted, the new flagship Sierra also being Ford’s first volume production car to have disc brakes front and back. Stopping power was further enhanced with anti-lock ABS braking.

Under the bonnet was the XR4i’s 2.8-litre fuel-injected Cologne V6, which was paired to the familiar Type 9 five-speed gearbox. Packing 150 bhp it gave the Sierra enough urge to explore the potential of the chassis and the 34/66 per cent power split in favour of the rear wheels. As capable as it was though, the XR4x4 didn’t shout about its prowess.

Instead of the concept’s three-door bodyshell there was the family-friendly five-door version, which other than a discreet rear spoiler, colour-coded bumpers and a smattering of black details was similar to ‘cooking’ Sierras.

There were new seven-spoke 5.5x14 in alloys, but the XR4x4’s appearance was certainly restrained. Add in the Ghia’s interior trim and the XR4x4 had plenty of appeal, combining strong, surefooted driving dynamics with subtle, refined style. What’s more, it became even more attractive with a facelift in 1987 and, most notably, the addition of the 2.9-litre, EEC-IV managed version of the Cologne in 1989.

Of course, it’s not the fastest or most capable Sierra, but in terms of value, practicality and ease of ownership, it’s certainly a front runner. Granted, the all-wheeldrive Cosworth is more desirable, but if it’s a head over heart decision then there’s a strong case for the XR4x4 being the best 4x4 by far.

“THE FLAGSHIP SIERRA WAS FORD’S FIRST VOLUME PRODUCTION CAR TO HAVE DISC BRAKES FRONT AND BACK”

“THE XR4X4 HAD PLENTY OF APPEAL, COMBINING STRONG, SUREFOOTED DRIVING DYNAMICS WITH SUBTLE, REFINED STYLE”

“IN TERMS OF VALUE, PRACTICALITY AND EASE OF OWNERSHIP, THE XR4X4 IS A DEFINITE FRONT RUNNER”