Know this COLOGNE V6 & COSWORTH 24-VALVE
“THE 2.8 AND 2.9 COLOGNE V6s ARE MORE THAN WORTH YOUR TIME AND ATTENTION”
For years faster Fords have been fitted with big, grunty V6 engines. From early Capris through to recent Mondeos, V6 engines have driven many top-spec Blue Ovals.
We’ll cover the infamous Essex V6 engines in a future issue, but the Cologne 2.8 and 2.9 as fitted to Sierras and Granadas are more than worth your time and attention, too – especially the Cosworth 24-valve unit. Here’s what you need to know.
Cologne
The Cologne units we’re most interested in are the 2.8 and 2.9-litre variants as found in the Sierra and Granada range. As the name suggests; the engine’s roots can be found in Germany, and the engine (originally called the Taunus V6) was actually available in many different capacities, including; 1.8, 2.0, 2.3, 2.4, 2.6, 2.8, 2.9, and 4.0. However, in the UK we only ever got the Cologne as a 2.3, 2.8, or 2.9 unit.
FACTFILE
Cologne 2.8 (2.9) Capacity: 2792cc (2933cc)
Bore/stroke: 93x68.5 mm (93x71.99 mm)
Compression ratio: 9.2:1
Max power: 150 bhp (both units)
Max torque: 161 lb/ft (172)
Cylinders: 6, in 60-degree vee configuration
Cylinder heads: cast iron
Block: cast iron
Valve gear: two valves per cylinder, single camshaft, pushrods/rockers
Induction: naturally aspirated, Bosch K-Jetronic fuel injection (Ford EEC-IV management)
Cosworth
When Cosworth was asked to design an engine for the Granada the trusty 2.9 Cologne was used
