Ford Sierra

ford
Ford Sierra five-door (1982-1986)
Sierra
Production period:	1982-1993
Class :	Middle class
Body versions :	Station wagon , sedan , station wagon
Engines:	Otto engines : 1.3–2.9 liters (44–162 kW) Diesel engines : 1.8–2.3 liters (49–55 kW)
Length:	4425-4522 mm
Width:	1698 mm
Height:	1398 mm
Wheelbase :	2608 mm
Empty weight :	1000-1350 kg
Previous model	Ford Taunus
successor	Ford Mondeo

The Ford Sierra (project name "Toni") is a car model from the automobile manufacturer Ford . The mid-range vehicle was the successor to the Ford Taunus in Germany and the Ford Cortina in England. Between the summer of 1982 and the spring of 1993, a total of 2,700,500 units were produced in two model series in Germany, Belgium, Great Britain, South Africa, Venezuela, Argentina and New Zealand.

In his presentation on 30 September 1982 at the Paris Salon, the streamlined, rounded shape ensured ( c _w value : 0.34) and hatchback (also called "Aero Tail") of from Uwe Bahnsen designed car quite a stir. Engines and transmissions have been taken over from the previous models with minor modifications. The rear wheels, which were driven as with the predecessors, were now individually suspended on trailing arms.

Sierra '82 (1982-1986)

At the market launch, only the five-door hatchback was on offer. In December 1982 the combi tournament (or traveler) followed. For the Sierra in Germany there were initially six engines (gasoline and diesel engines from 1.6 to 2.3 liters) and four equipment lines to choose from (Sierra, Sierra L , Sierra GL and Sierra Ghia ). To accommodate the diesel engine, this variant was provided with a hump on the engine compartment lid.

At the Geneva Motor Show in March 1983, Ford presented the sporty and exclusively three-door Sierra XR4i . Its engine had a displacement of 2.8 liters and developed 118 kW (160 hp), but the exhaust system limited the output to 110 kW (150 hp). The reason for this was the usual calculation of the insurance premium at the time, whereby the maximum rate was incurred for vehicles with an output of more than 150 hp.

In August 1983, the range was expanded to include a three-door hatchback version, as even more mid-range sedans with two doors were sold at that time. However, only 1.6-liter and 2.0-liter four-cylinder petrol engines and the 2.3-liter diesel engine in the basic configuration and as an L were available for the Sierra “Coupé” (as it was unofficially called) .

As a new and also the cheapest option Sierra was in April 1984 laser with the engine range of the Sierra L introduced. It was available as a three- or five-door hatchback and as a station wagon. From October 1984 a new 1.6-liter engine with a Weber register carburetor was used, with the output remaining roughly the same, but the consumption falling and the acceleration somewhat improved.

In March 1985, all models received the larger headlights and the closed front (except Laser and Diesel), which were previously reserved for the Ghia and the XR4i . At the same time, the Sierra RS Cosworth was shown at the Geneva Motor Show. In addition, the Sierra 2.0 i S, with a sporty touch, was also added, the engine of which had an output of 85 kW (115 PS). Its chassis came from the XR4i . This was also available as a three- and five-door hatchback. The now very sparse basic model was omitted, the position of which was taken over by the revised Sierra Laser .

In September 1985, an all-wheel-drive model came on the market as the Sierra XR4 × 4 , which took on the role of the XR4i as a sporty variant in the range, but in contrast to this only five-door and from the beginning of 1986 it was also produced as a tournament.

Series production of the Cosworth models also began at the beginning of 1986 . Its 2.0-liter engine was equipped with a turbocharger, which increased the output to 150 kW (204 hp). Its production was limited to approx. 6000 copies, which quickly made it a collector's item. For a Sierra Cosworth of the first series prices of up to 32,800 euros (as of March 2015) are given.

Ford ended production of the Sierra '82 in December 1986. The Cosworth, on the other hand, was produced until the end of 1987.

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  Rear view

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  Ford Sierra Tournament (1982–1986)

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  Ford Sierra three-door (1983–1986)

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  Ford Sierra RS Cosworth (1986-1987)

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  Basic version with unpainted radiator grille (1982–1986)

Duration

The first series of the Sierra is rarely seen in the streets and is currently gaining youngtimer status due to increased acceptance for utility vehicles from the 1980s.

The station wagon, the 2.3-liter V6, the XR4i with 2.8-liter V6 engine, the all-wheel drive XR4 × 4 and the 2.0i S with OHC engine are particularly rare today . Furthermore, the homologation models for racing at the time, the Cosworth Coupés, are sought-after variants from the Sierra family.

Sierra '87 (1987-1990)

In January 1987 the Sierra was renewed at the front and rear (except for the tournament) and designed in the style of the Scorpio '85 . The hood was pulled lower. There were also changes in the interior, for example new door panels. In addition, Ford added a sedan with a notchback to the series. The equipment was now called CL , GL , Ghia , S and XR4 × 4 . An electronic anti-lock braking system was available on request.

In February 1988 a new Sierra RS Cosworth based on the new generation came onto the market, the street version of which continued to have a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo engine and 150 kW (204 hp), but the racing version was now around 300 Hp (221 kW).

From April 1988 sales were boosted with the Finesse special model with a standard five-speed manual transmission. The LX equipment was later derived from the special model. In addition, the new 2.9i with 107 kW (145 PS) replaced the outdated (so-called Ford Cologne engine) 2.8-liter V6 from the XR4i and XR4 × 4 . A 1753 cc, 55 kW (75 hp) 1.8 liter turbo diesel engine was available in the United Kingdom and other small European countries in October 1988 .

From mid-1989, a newly developed 2.0-liter DOHC 8-valve engine with 88 kW (120 hp) was used in both the Scorpio and the Sierra. It was available for the LX, GL and Ghia equipment lines. In addition to lambda control and an exhaust gas catalytic converter, there was also a version with a carburetor and catalytic converter that developed 77 kW (105 hp), at least in the brochure. Due to the impending tightening of the exhaust gas laws, it is likely that it was no longer sold, at least in Germany, or that it could not achieve significant numbers. The 2.0-liter OHC engine remained in the range and was much cheaper. With lambda control and catalytic converter, however, it only offered 74 kW (100 hp) of power instead of the previous 85 kW (115 hp).

For the DOHC and the V6, the newly developed MT75 transmission was introduced, in which the reverse gear is also synchronized. It can be easily distinguished from its predecessor by a different shift pattern (reverse gear, rear right instead of front left). The other engines kept their previous gearboxes.

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  Ford Sierra three-door (1987–1990)

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  Ford Sierra notchback (1987–1990)

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  Ford Sierra Tournament (1987–1990)

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  Ford Sierra RS Cosworth (1989)

Sierra '90 (1990-1993)

In March 1990, the Sierra was revised again, which could be recognized by the front white indicator glasses, black tinted rear lights and the grille of the British Sierra Sapphire . From now on, the fuel filler flap had a remote release (recognizable by the missing hood). A regulated catalytic converter was now standard for gasoline engines. The 1.8 l turbodiesel engine with 55 kW (75 PS) was now also available in Germany and Austria and now had an oxidation catalytic converter , while the 2.3 l naturally aspirated diesel engine with swirl chamber injection was only available for the station wagon in some markets . The equipment was also reorganized, henceforth they were called CL , LX / CLX / Saphir , GL / Brillant , Ghia , GT , XR4i (not to be confused with the predecessor from 1983) and Cosworth (now with all-wheel drive). ABS was now available on all versions.

After the factory holidays , the last slight revision followed in September 1991, which differed in the form of new bumpers and a modified dashboard with the same switches as the Escort and Scorpio .

The 2.0-liter DOHC now developed 85 kW (115 PS). This throttling was a consequence of the performance levels of car liability insurance at that time. It was achieved by a so-called reduced restrictor attachment (air flow for mixture formation). The dismantling in order to obtain the full 88 kW (120 PS) was easily possible by dismantling. This engine was also used in the XR4i .

In February 1993 the last Sierra left the production facility. Its successor was the front-wheel drive Ford Mondeo .

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  Ford Sierra five-door (1990-1993)

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  Rear view

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  Ford Sierra Notchback (1990-1993)

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  Ford Sierra Tournament (1990-1993)

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  Interior of a Sierra CLX

Sierra XR4i (1983-1985)

The Sierra XR4i was presented at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1983 .

Ford Sierra XR4i (1983–1985)

The sports coupé derived from the production model was equipped with the so-called Cologne V6 cast iron engine with Bosch - K-Jetronic , 2772 cm³ displacement and an output of 110 kW (150 PS). The same engine used in the XR4i made 160 hp (118 kW) in the Ford Capri with a different exhaust system. The top speed was 211 km / h and the Sierra accelerated from 0 to 100 km / h in 8.4 s. Some tuners in Germany offered turbo sets for the XR4i that raised the power up to 155 kW (211 PS). Some of these kits are still available.

The first Sierra XR4i was supposed to replace the Capri as a sports coupé. Ford did not succeed in this, however, because the XR4i was not recognized as an independent sports model and another extensive advertising campaign in the new mid-range segment seemed too risky. Another obstacle to the sale was the base price of DM 29,050 at the beginning and its proximity to the established and direct competitors BMW 323i , the Mercedes 190 E 2.3 and the Audi 80 Quattro . There was also a Porsche 924 from DM 31,000.

However, the XR4i was homologated in motorsport as the XR4Ti in the year it was released .

Externally, the XR4i clearly differed from other Sierra variants in its consciously demonstrated sportiness. With gray-colored wheel arch strips, plastic planks from the A to C-pillars, 5 1 / 2x14 "aluminum wheels (the so-called cheese-hole rims) with 195/60 tires, a double rear wing (from prototype sample 3, thereby improved contact pressure on the driven rear axle) it followed the stylistic trends of the early 1980s to visually upgrade sports sedans with spoilers and sills. An all-round red decorative stripe was intended to underline the sporty look of the XR4i . The cockpit, door and side panels as well as the gear knob were also framed in red While internally ventilated disc brakes were fitted at the front, enlarged drum brakes were used at the rear, which meant that the braking system tended to overbrake the rear axle, especially on wet roads.

Between January 1983 and September 1985, a total of 25,662 vehicles (1983: 18,294 / 1984: 4,941 / 1985: 2,427) were produced before the XR 4 × 4 with permanent all-wheel drive in an optically toned-down version was its successor until autumn 1986.

According to the Federal Motor Transport Authority (as of June 1, 2016), the current stock of approved Sierra XR4i of the first series is only 83 vehicles.

Sierra XR4i (1990-1993)

Ford Sierra GT (1991-1993)

A successor model (also with the designation XR4i ) was offered from spring 1990 and, in contrast to the predecessor of the same name, was a visually more inconspicuous variant in a lean Ghia equipment. This XR4i was equipped with a heated windshield, electric windows, a comfortable interior, fog lights, a rear spoiler, as well as bumpers in body color and headlights with double high beams.

The two-liter, four-cylinder DOHC engine with initially 88 kW (120 hp) and later 85 kW (115 hp) was installed as standard . It enabled an acceleration of 0-100 km / h in 10.9 seconds and a top speed of 190 km / h.

In September 1991, a special model derived from the XR4i called GT was introduced, which was based on the CLX / Saphir equipment . It was available in all body versions. However, the Sierra GT was equipped differently, for example with integrated headrests in the rear seat bench, 14-inch aluminum wheels, velor covers and a modified rear wing. In addition, the Sierra GT had a new emblem on the rear for the last time.

The production of the last XR4i and GT ended like that of the other Sierra variants in February 1993.

P100 (1987-1992)

A pickup called P100 based on the two-door sedan was built in South Africa from the English sister model of the predecessor Taunus, the Ford Cortina . This was also imported into some European countries.

After Ford withdrew from South Africa in 1987, a new pickup model was developed based on the Sierra '87. Parts of the sierra and transit were used here. With a permissible total weight of 2440 kg, the payload was up to about one ton with a loading area length of 2130 mm.

The P100 was powered by the OHC engine with 1993 cc engine and 57 kW (78 hp), which, however, had lower compression and lower torque. A new 1753 cc turbo diesel engine with 55 kW (75 hp) was also available. In parallel with the Sierra, the P100 also received the modernizations from early 1990 and late 1991.

The P100 was manufactured in Portugal from October 1987 to December 1992 .

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  Ford P100 (1990-1992)

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  Rear view

Success in motorsport

A Ford Sierra RS 500 driven by Klaus Ludwig

The Sierra gained particular fame through numerous rally and especially touring car victories ( DTM , EM , WM , BTCC ) of the Sierra XR4Ti , Sierra 4 × 4 and Sierra RS Cosworth models . The end of the sporting success was the start-to-finish victory in the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring in 1987 and in 1988 winning the DTM with the RS 500 under Klaus Ludwig .

Model development and engines

The official designation of the Ford series :

Sierra '82

• Construction period: 08 / 1982–12 / 1986

• Presentation in September 1982 as a five-door hatchback sedan ("Aero-Heck") and in December as a station wagon with the name Tournament. The three-door variant followed in August 1983.
• Sport and all-wheel drive models as well as the equipment variant "Ghia" with closed radiator grille and wider headlights (from March 1985 for all models)
• Racing car variant Cosworth as a street version with 150 kW (204 PS) from January 1986.

Sierra '87

• Construction period: 01 / 1987-02 / 1990

• new front and rear (except station wagon)
• revised interior, including new door panels
• also as a notchback

Sierra '90

• Construction period: 03 / 1990-02 / 1993

• white turn signals at the front and black taillights at the rear
• British Sierra Sapphire BBQ
• again slightly modified cockpit
• Remote unlocking for the tank
• New lettering

Engines
Engine type	power	Valve control	Mixture formation	Exhaust gas cleaning	Engine charging	comment
1.3 liter R4	44 kW (60 hp)	OHC				not in Germany, but in other European countries
1.6 liter R4	53 kW (72 PS)	OHC	Register carburetor Weber	With unregulated catalytic converter
1.6 liter R4	55 kW (75 PS)	OHC	Register carburetor Weber
1.6 liter R4	59 kW (80 PS)	CVH	Manifold injection	With regulated catalytic converter
1.8 liter R4	66 kW (90 PS)	OHC	Register carburetor
1.8 liter R4	59 kW (80 PS)	OHC		With unregulated catalytic converter
2.0 liter V6	66 kW (90 PS)	OHV	Double fall-flow carburetor Solex
2.0 liter R4	74 kW (100 PS)	OHC	Bosch L-Jetronic intake manifold injection	With regulated catalytic converter
2.0 liter R4	77 kW (105 PS)	OHC	Carburetor
2.0 liter R4	85 kW (115 PS)	OHC	Manifold injection
2.0 liter R4	85 kW (115 PS)	DOHC 8V	Manifold injection Ford EFI	With regulated catalytic converter
2.0 liter R4	88 kW (120 PS)	DOHC 8V	Manifold injection Ford EFI	With regulated catalytic converter
2.0 liter R4 Cosworth	150 kW (204 hp)	DOHC 16V	Injection manifold Weber-Marelli		Exhaust gas turbocharger
2.0 liter R4 Cosworth	162 kW (220 PS)	DOHC 16V	Injection manifold Weber-Marelli	With regulated catalytic converter	Exhaust gas turbocharger
2.3 liter V6	84 kW (114 hp)	OHV	Double fall-flow carburetor Solex
2.8 liter V6	110 kW (150 PS)	OHV	Manifold injection ( K-Jetronic )			only with XR4i and XR4 × 4
2.9 liter V6	107 kW (145 hp)	OHV	Bosch K-Jetronic intake manifold injection
1.8 liter R4	55 kW (75 PS)	OHC	Swirl chamber injection	With an unregulated catalyst	Exhaust gas turbocharger
2.3 liter R4	49 kW (67 hp)	OHV	Swirl chamber injection

Technical specifications

The Sierra abroad

Merkur XR4Ti (1984–1989)

In South Africa, the Sierra was also sold as the Sierra XR8 with a 5.0 liter V8 engine. The engine came from the Ford Mustang and developed an output of 150 kW (204 hp) at 4800 rpm and a torque of 330 Nm at 3400 rpm. Only 250 of the Sierra XR8 were built exclusively in 1984. There was also an XR6 with a 3-liter “Essex” engine, which was also offered in the less sporty comfort version 3.0 GLX and later as the cheaper 3.0 LX.

Although the model range of the European Ford factories was uniform when it was introduced in September 1982, concessions were made for the British market. After the first revision in January 1987, the car was no longer available with three doors and a hatchback. The Sierra Sapphire was available with a notchback and the grille that was introduced in the other versions in March 1990. With this revision, the Sapphire again corresponded to the German models, but the old front was retained in the hatchback and station wagon models.

In Argentina , the Sierra was sold with modified bumpers until 1993. He did not go through the facelift of 1987.

From the summer of 1984 to the end of 1989, the exclusively three-door XR4i was exported to the USA and Canada as the Merkur XR4Ti and sold there via Lincoln-Mercury dealers, just as the Capri had previously been used. The Merkur XR4Ti was manufactured by Karmann in Rheine. It had a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine with 208 hp (153 kW) and a five-speed manual gearbox or 170 hp (125 kW) with a 3-speed automatic, which was also available in the United States in the Mustang and Thunderbird .

In addition, from May 1987 to summer 1990 there was a Merkur Scorpio with the 108 kW (147 PS) 2.9-liter V6, which was badly received on the US market.

A total of 64,238 Merkur were sold in North America, about 90% of which were for the XR4Ti .

literature

• Werner Oswald: German Cars 1945–1990. Motorbuch Verlag, Stuttgart 2003, ISBN 3-613-02116-1 , pp. 470-482.

Web links

Commons : Ford Sierra  - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files

• History of the Ford Sierra

Individual evidence

1. ↑ Toni instead of Taunus
2. ^ Colin Whitbread: The Car of the Future in Western Europe: The Application of High Technology for the Cars of Tomorrow . Economist Intelligence Unit, London 1983, OCLC 59021610 ( limited preview in Google Book Search).
3. ↑ Current values ( memento of the original from May 18, 2015 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was inserted automatically and has not yet been checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. 
4. ↑ Inventory  ( page no longer available , search in web archives )  Info: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice.  
5. ↑ Ford Sierra engine data ( Memento of the original from June 6, 2014 in the Internet Archive ) Info: The archive link was automatically inserted and not yet checked. Please check the original and archive link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. 
6. ↑ Graham Robson: The Sporting Fords volume 4: Sierras .
7. ^ Mike Covello: Standard Catalog of Imported Cars 1946-2002. Krause Publications, Iola 2002, ISBN 0-87341-605-8 , p. 557.