Ford Escort Mark V 1990–1997
| Fifth generation | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Overview | |
| Production | 1990–1997 |
| Assembly | Halewood, England Almussafes, Spain Saarlouis, Germany Istanbul, Turkey (Ford Otosan) São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 3/5-door hatchback 4-door saloon 5-door estate 2-door cabriolet 3-door van |
| Layout | Front-engine, front-wheel-drive |
| Related | Ford Orion Mark III |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 1.3 L HCS I4 1.4 L CVH I4 1.6 L CVH I4 1.6 L Zetec I4 1.8 L Zetec I4 2.0 L I4 DOHC I4 2.0 L VW AP I4 2.0 L Cosworth YBT I4 1.8 L Endura-D diesel I4 1.8 L Endura-D turbodiesel I4 |
| Transmission | 4-speed BC4 manual 5-speed BC5 manual 5-speed MTX-75 manual 3-speed ATX automatic CVT CTX automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,525 mm (99.4 in) |
| Length | Hatchback: 4,036 mm (158.9 in) Sedan: 4,268 mm (168.0 in) Wagon: 4,268 mm (168.0 in) |
| Width | 1,692 mm (66.6 in) |
| Height | 1,395 mm (54.9 in) |
| Curb weight | 900–1,070 kg (1,984–2,359 lb) |
The Escort Mark V platform (and Mark III Orion saloon) arrived in September 1990 with an all-new bodyshell and a simplified torsion beam rear suspension (instead of the Mark III's fully independent layout).
Initially the 1.3 L HCS, 1.4 L and 1.6 L CVH petrol and 1.8 L diesel units were carried over from the old model. This model however was poorly received by the motoring press, and was panned by journalists for its mediocre driving dynamics and unremarkable styling. The engines which had been carried over from the previous generation largely unmodified were also heavily criticised for their poor refinement.
In early 1992, an all new Zetec 16-valve engine was launched bringing improved driveability, while also marking the return of the XR3i which was available with two versions of the 1.8 L Zetec engine. The 150 PS (110 kW) RS2000 also appeared in the autumn of 1991 with a 16v version of the Sierra's I4 2.0 & Izmir Escort L engine and also improved ride and handling meaning that this version of the Escort finally delivered on the road. Specifications, however, were also higher than before. The Escort was now available with items such as power steering, electric windows, central locking, electronic antilock brakes, and air conditioning. Some of these options were even available on some of the entry-level models.
Early 1992 saw the launch of the Escort RS Cosworth. Intended to replace the Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth (which finished production shortly afterwards) as Ford's stalwart rally challenger as well as a competitor to supercars with private buyers, it used the turbocharged 2.0 L Cosworth 16-valve engine, generated some 227 PS (167 kW) and was capable of 150 mph. As well as having four-wheel drive, its most memorable feature was its extremely large "whale-tail" tailgate spoiler.
The 2,500 road-going examples sold (required for homologation purposes) were made, but demand for the car was so high that Ford kept producing them. Later models (1995 up) have a smaller turbo than the homologation versions and came with the whale-tail spoiler as an option. The Escort Cosworth ceased production in 1996, but it has already achieved classic status and has a huge following. However, the car wasn't mechanically an Escort, being based on the four-wheel drive Sierra floorpan and mechanicals, including its longitudinally mounted engine, and was merely clothed in body panels to resemble a Mark V.
The fifth generation Escort was launched in South America in 1992, being manufactured in Brazil and Argentina by Autolatina, a joint-venture between Volkswagen and Ford. This resulted with the top of the line Escort XR3i being equipped with a VW AP 2.0 L engine generating 115 PS (85 kW). This generation also spawned two VW-branded cars with the same mechanics (but different body styles and interiors) called Pointer (five-door hatchback) and Logus, a two-door saloon.
The XR3i was discontinued at the beginning of 1994.
Engines
- 1.3 L (1297 cc) HCS 60 PS (44 kW; 59 bhp)
- 1.4 L CFi (1392 cc) CVH 71 PS (52 kW; 70 bhp)
- 1.4 L EFi (1392 cc) CVH 75 PS (55 kW; 74 bhp)
- 1.6 L G/H (1597 cc) CVH 90 PS (66 kW; 89 bhp)
- 1.6 L EFi (1597 cc) CVH 105 PS (77 kW; 104 bhp)
- 1.6 L EFi (1598 cc) Zetec 90 PS (66 kW; 89 bhp)
- 1.8 L EFi (1796 cc) Zetec 105 PS (77 kW; 104 bhp)
- 1.8 L EFi (1796 cc) Zetec 115 PS (85 kW; 113 bhp)
- 1.8 L EFi (1796 cc) Zetec 130 PS (96 kW; 128 bhp)
- 1.8 L D (1753 cc) Endura D 60 PS (44 kW; 59 bhp)
- 1.8 L TD (1753 cc) Endura D 70 PS (51 kW; 69 bhp)
- 1.8 L TD (1753 cc) Endura D 75 PS (55 kW; 74 bhp)
- 1.8 L TD (1753 cc) Endura D 90 PS (66 kW; 89 bhp)
- 2.0 L EFi (1998 cc) I4 DOHC 150 PS (110 kW; 148 bhp)
- 2.0 L (1993 cc) Cosworth YBT 227 PS (167 kW; 224 bhp)
Facelift
Stung by the criticism of the original Mark V (which was still hugely popular despite motoring press criticism of its styling, ride and handling), Ford facelifted the Escort and Orion in September 1992, giving the revised cars a new grille, bonnet and, in the Escort hatchback's case, a new rear end. A new 1.6 L 16-valve 90 bhp (66 kW) Zetec engine was introduced, replacing the previous CVH. Fuel injection was now standard on all petrol models, and Ford introduced a four-wheel-drive variant of the RS2000, offering much improved handling over its front-wheel-drive cousins. A first for the Escort also saw the introduction of all disc brakes on all four wheels as standard on all RS2000 and XR3i models.
Also new for 1993 were 1.3 L and 1.4 L CFi petrol engines and 1.8 L diesel engines.
In September 1993, the Orion name was dropped, with the saloon taking on the Escort badge. The XR3i was discontinued a few months later.
The crash structure was also improved, featuring side impact bars, a reinforced safety cage, improved crumple zones, front seat-belt pretensioners and airbags.