The Ford Sierra was one of the great entertainers of the automotive industry in the 1980s. Launched in Europe in 1982, it was the natural replacement for another heavyweight: the Tauno.
Its innovative design, with rounded and flowing lines, delighted those who were waiting for a successor to the body of the Taunus, while at the same time anticipated the aesthetic trend that would only be seen in the 90s.
Its dynamic behavior and sophisticated equipment have made it one of the vehicles more covetedespecially since climbing a Sierra wasn’t cheap at all.
The Sierra was developed by Ford of Europe and produced at the Genk plant in Belgium. But it also had a very close past, because Argentina became the the first country to produce it outside the Old Continent.
An advance for the time
Ford of Europe began work in the early 1980s on the successor to the Taunus (also called Cortina in other European markets). The result was a futuristic-style prototype (like every concept) called probe IIIpresented in society at the 1981 Paris Motor Show.
Probe III was one of the first vehicles developed in wind tunnels, a real novelty for the time. As a result, the silhouette with the lowest drag coefficient (Cx 0.34) in its class was achieved.
This design made an impact by having the lower side deflectors playing a role of fairing for the rear wheels, managing to channel the airflow out of them.
Designed by Uwe Bahnsen, Robert Lutz Y Patrick Le Quementthe final version, christened Ford Sierra, was presented a year later at the Frankfurt Motor Show and was considered one of the most important events of 1982.
The Sierra range was equipped with various petrol engines: 60hp 1.3, 75hp 1.6, 105hp 2.0, 90hp 2.0 V6 and a 114hp 2.3L V6. It also had a 2.3 naturally aspirated diesel with 67 hp.
The engines were complemented by four- and five-speed manual transmissions and a three-speed automatic (later a four-speed was introduced).
Sierra’s traction was rear and its suspension system, four independent wheels. The braking system was disc (forward) and drum (rear).
The range consisted of three trim levels: L, GL and Ghia. The latter offered everything that could be expected in a luxury car; front fog lights, electric windows, sunroof, central locking and the new and complex graphic information module, which allowed the driver to have everything under control.
After a timid start, sales began to grow rapidly in 1983, the year in which it finished second in the vote for “European Car of the Year” (behind the Audi 100) and with the launch of the successful XR4 version.
In the mid-1980s it reached Sierra production South Africafirst, already Venezuela.
Another milestone in the model’s history came in 1985, when the XR4x4a model with five-door bodywork and permanent all-wheel drive.
The Sierra had two cosmetic updates in 1987 and 1990. Its production in both South Africa and Venezuela remained in effect until 1992, while in Europe it lasted a year longer, having been replaced by the Sierra. Mondeo.
Arrival in Argentina
With an investment of more than 70 million dollarsArgentina became the first country to have the Sierra range outside the European continent, just 22 months after its launch in Europe.
Its production began in mid-1983, after the local branch adapted its factory there General Pacheco with new technologies according to the high quality standards required by the model.
The Sierra was introduced in June 1984 and its arrival represented a change of era, from stylistic issues to performance. The Sierra was equipped with a four-cylinder engine that gave it great acceleration and top speed performance, with unusual figures for the time.
A quality that was accentuated a few months later with the XR4the fascinating coupe equipped with the 2.3-liter 120 horsepower that competed hand in hand with the Renault Fuego and would debut a year later in the TC2000.
During its production until 1993, the Ford Sierra offered options for all budgets and tastes, with sedan, rural and coupé silhouettes accompanied by different engines (1.6 with 75 HP and 2.3 with 105 HP and 120 HP) and proposals of equipment. In total they were made 72,024 units.
Curiosities of the Sierra
In Europe there was an ultra sports version called Sierra RS Cosworthwhose mechanics (204 HP 2.0i DOHC engine) were developed by the renowned British company with a long history in Formula 1. Available in just three colors (black, white and blue), only 5,545 units were produced (in Belgium) .
A year later its evolution was presented: the I have seen RS 500template which developed a power of 224 horsepower and which would achieve numerous sporting achievements. have been manufactured 500 unitsa necessary figure to comply with the homologation regulations that allowed it to compete in the Group A Rally.
Production was borne by the factory Aston Martin Tickfordas part of a construction program that ended in a few weeks, so much so that its approval was almost instantaneous.
The Sierra Cosworth also had a sedan version named sapphire (year 1988), of which 13,140 units produced in Europe and which in 1990 was replaced by the Sapphire Cosworth 4×4discontinued in 1992 after a production of 12,250 units.
Source: Clarin
