With 2.0 L on the road
I have driven a real long trip with the Sierra 2.0 L 3-door 1986 model - Oslo Stockholm round trip. The Sierra I drove had slightly wider wheel dimensions than the original, which meant that the car lay well on the road, but was heavy on the steering (no servo). In addition, a lot of tire noise entered the passenger compartment. The 2-litre, which also went into Scorpio at the same time, I experienced as noisy and sluggish (both in Sierra and in Scorpio) - at least seen with today's eyes. Nevertheless, the Sierra was an alright long-distance car where it was possible to drive for many hours straight.
Model history
With its soap-like profile, the Ford Sierra helped change automotive design for the 80s and 90s. It arrived in 1982 and remained on the market for over ten years, until it was replaced by the Mondeo in 1993. The model received 2 facelifts, one in 1985, the other in 1987. The first facelift was very simple, as it mostly was the front that was changed. All models got the same front that the XR4i (see picture below) had got a couple of years earlier. The 1987 facelift was slightly more extensive. It too carried a new grille, plus new engines – and for the first time since the Taunus/Cortina, a conventional 4-door sedan.
Engines
Engine-wise, the following engines were delivered: 1.3, 1.6, 1.8, 2.0 and 2.0i, as well as V6 2.3 and 2.8 – later 2.9. One of the most desirable engines of its time was the 2.0i with 115 HP.
Sierra XR4i
This variant of the Ford Sierra is rare. The XR4i was equipped with a 2.8i V6 engine and received two layers of rear spoilers and special rear side windows. It was introduced in 1982 and disappeared from the model range in 1985.
Cosworth
One of the reasons why the Sierra has become a classic is the collaboration between Ford Motorsport and Cosworth. Cosworth developed engineering that gave the Sierra power and handling that made it a serious competitor in motorsport. They were also highly sought after as street cars - often referred to as wolves in sheep's clothing. The Cosworth models were made in 3 series. The first based on the 3-door version with external characteristics such as air vents in the hood, Cosworth grill, fender flares and a proper rear spoiler, among other things. it was produced in 1986-1988. The Series 2 was based on the 4-door variant and produced in 1988 and 1989. Only at the beginning of 1990 did the first Cosworth with 4-wheel drive appear which was produced until the Sierra program ended in 1992. The Cosworth may not have been a super-hit in motorsport, but did a lot to raise Ford's status both in the present and in posterity.
About the pictures
The Ford Sierra has unfortunately almost disappeared from the road altogether, – at least when it comes to everyday cars. These were utility cars that were enjoyed until the “bitter end”, – and then a few years in carcross. The only ones you can find at meet-ups are Cosworths, like the orange car pictured outside Cars and Coffee in Øvrevoll. I also came across an XR4i – with original Fundo rims and a double rear spoiler the other day outside a car repair shop. A white XR4i is also pictured. It participated in the Norwegian Sports Car Club’s spring mustering at Øvrevoll racetrack in 2025. The burgundy red car is also a Cosworth. It was photographed at the London Classic Car Show 2020. The dark grey 4-door version was photographed at Maritim near Oslo. It is also a 4×4 Cosworth. A similar car is the one with French plates photographed in Céret. The blue car is used in car racing, fortunately not carcross. The beige 5-door variant belongs to the last production series and is a 2.0i – which produces 20 HP more than the 2.0 L. It was photographed in Vormsund, Akershus. The black car with patinated paint was in the center of Perpignan, France. The white 5-door car is a 1992 Ford Sierra 2.0i CLX photographed in Lillestrøm in 2024. The brown car was photographed while parked in Hønefoss, 2025. The white RS Cosworth was photographed at a car show in the South of France. The black Cosworth with BBS rims was photographed at Cars & Coffee at Skui Gård, 2023.
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Ford Sierra Club Norway on Facebook
