The Sierra replaced the Cortina, and sales began on 15 October 1982, and the car was shown at the British motor show that month. Its aerodynamic body had a drag coefficient of 0.34, against about 0.45 for the Cortina. The RS Cosworth followed in 1986, and the four-door Sapphire saloon arrived in 1987, and the RS500 followed in 1987 as a limited homologation special for touring car racing. European production ended in December 1992 and the Mondeo replaced it in 1993.
The aerodynamic 'jelly-mould' Ford Sierra replaced the Cortina in 1982, offered as a fastback and as the Sapphire saloon. It led to one of the best-known homologation specials, the whale-tail RS Cosworth, whose turbocharged Cosworth YB engine made it a leading touring-car and rally car.
44years
2generations
6trims
104–217hp range
SedanCoupeHatchback
The Lineage
2 generations · tap any to explore4 trimsFirst generation (1982-1987)
1982–1987
2 trimsSapphire (1987-1993)
1987–1993