History of the Fiesta 1983 to 1989
The New XR2
Not content with the Mk1 XR2, Ford had already set about building a better replacement and work on the Mk2 XR2 started in 1982, before the Mk2 was even released!
The new XR2 featured the 1600 CVH engine from the Escort XR3 and like the Escort still used the same carburettor as the Mk1 XR2. A new "fuller" bodykit was designed for the Mk2, with larger front and rear valences and wheel arch extensions. Side skirts were also included as part of the new kit, and a spoiler that went right round the rear window was designed for the back. The car was given lower and uprated suspension and steering components. One surprising difference over the Mk1 was that the new XR2 didn't feature alloy wheels as standard but instead had 6 inch wide steel rims with wheel trims, the "pepperpot" alloys could but added as an optional extra, which most people did.
Another surprising bit of the design of the Mk2 XR2 was that the SVE department were not allowed to use the 1600 injected engine as Ford were afraid that the little Fiesta would upstage the Escort XR3i! But no-matter the new XR still had 96bhp an upgrade of 12bhp on its predecessor, and although it was capable of a top speed of 112mph, because of its increase in weight was only 0.2 seconds faster to 60 than the Mk1, managing a 0 to 60 time of 9.3 seconds.
Next: The Mk2 Fly / Return to History index
