FORD ESCORT Mk5/6
Famously, the Mk5 Escort got off to a terrible start when launched in 1990. Despite being a brand-new design, it failed to improve on its predecessor in any meaningful way – it was unremarkable to look at, mediocre to drive and was also hampered by its carry-over CVH engines. The press panned it, and even encouraged a rush to buy the outgoing Mk4 models left in showrooms.
Despite these discouraging reviews, it was still hugely popular. It may have lost top spot in the 1990 and 1991 sales charts to the Mk3 Fiesta, but wasn’t far behind in second spot on both occasions. Besides, Ford quickly knuckled down on improvements, introducing the much-improved oval-grilled facelift car less than two years later. But before that, a lacklustre range was boosted with some new performance models and fresh engines.
The first hot model arrived in late 1991, 14 months after the Mk5’s launch, when Ford decided to go back to go forward and resurrect the hallowed RS2000 tag. This time it was front-wheel-drive, but still followed the successful formula of its iconic RWD predecessors, with a big engine, top-of-the-range equipment, Recaro seats and better running gear. ‘The Champ is Back’ exclaimed the advertising, and in many ways it was. The RS2000 was widely praised for offering a well-rounded,
