Shopping on line can be easy, simple and save you lots of money. It can also take a lot of your time, frustrate you, and result in unwanted purchases. Now the same can be said for regular high street shopping, but with the vast opportunity presented by the Internet it will pay you to spend a few minutes reading this and understanding how to better optimize your Ford Sierra shopping experience:

1. Compare - without doubt the biggest advantage that the Ford Sierra offers shoppers today is the ability to compare thousands of Ford Sierra at a time. This is a great thing, but not necessarily all the time! Too much can be daunting at times so take advantage of the great comparison sites and where possible let them do the hard work for you.

2. Research - if it has been said it will be on the internet. Ignorance is no longer a justifiable reason for buying the wrong thing. Take the time to research in detail everything that you could possible want to know about

3. Testimonials - don't know anybody that has bought a Ford Sierra? Wrong! If the Ford Sierra is good the internet will let you know. Use the Internet as a friend and get testimonials before you buy.

4. Questions - Got a question about Ford Sierra then search the Forums, FAQ's, Blogs etc. Don't be afraid to ask .....

5. Reputation - Never heard of the company selling Ford Sierra? Don't worry, no reason why you should know every company in the world, but you know someone that does! Use the internet to find out what people are saying about Ford Sierra and build up a picture of their reputation for sales, returns, customer service, delivery etc.

6. Returns - still worried that even after all of the above your Ford Sierra wont be what you want? Check out the returns policy. There is so much competition now that someone, somewhere is bound to offer the terms that you are comfortable with.

7. Feedback - happy with your Ford Sierra then let people know, after all you are depending on others people input in your buying decision, so why not give a little back.

8. Security - check for the yellow padlock on the Ford Sierra site before you buy, and the s after http:/ /i.e. https:// = a secure site

9. Contact - got a question about Ford Sierra, or want to leave a comment then check out the sites contact page. Reputable companies have them and respond.

10. Payment - ready to pay for your Ford Sierra, then use your credit card or PayPal! Be aware of companies that don't accept them, there may be genuine reasons but given the huge amount of choice you have when buying online there is no reason at all not to buy via credit card or PayPal.

{{Infobox Automobile| image = | name = Ford Sierra| manufacturer = Ford Motor Company–[1993
[Ford Taunus| class = [Mid-Size Car (MK2)]
1.6 L Ford Pinto engine
2.0 L Ford Pinto engine
2.0 L Ford I4 DOHC engine
1.6 L Ford CVH engine
1.8 L Ford CVH engine
2.3 L Ford Cologne V6 engine
2.8 L Ford Cologne V6 engine
2.9 L Ford Cologne V6 engine-->The Ford Sierra was a large family car built by Ford Europe between 1982 and 1993, originally designed by Uwe Bahnsen, Robert Lutz and Patrick le Quément, .

Released on 21 September, 1982, it replaced the Ford Cortina/Ford Taunus, and was itself replaced by the Ford Mondeo. (In New Zealand and South Africa, it was initially replaced by the Ford Telstar). Its aerodynamic styling was ahead of its time but more conservative buyers found it unappealing.

Possibly for this reason, and the early lack of a sedan variant, it never quite achieved the sales volumes of the Cortina or the Taunus, although sales were still strong; a total of 2,700,500 Sierras were made, mainly manufactured in Germany, Belgium, and the United Kingdom, although Sierras were also assembled in Argentina, Venezuela, South Africa, and New Zealand.

Styling The first Ford vehicle to have the bold new "aero" look styling was the 1981 Ford Probe III concept car. The good reception this received encouraged Ford management to go ahead with a production car with styling almost as challenging. This "aero" look influenced Fords worldwide; 1983's new Ford Thunderbird in North America introduced similar rounded, flowing lines, and some other new Fords of the time adopted the look. The aerodynamic features of the Sierra were developed from those first seen in the Ford Escort Mk III — the "Aeroback" bootlid stump was proved to reduce the drag coefficient of the bodyshell significantly, which was a class leading 0.34 at its launch.

The aerodynamic styling of the Sierra would later be seen in North America's equally revolutionary Ford Taurus.

At first, many found the design blob-like and difficult to accept after being used to the sharp-edged, straight-line styling of the Cortina, and it picked up nicknames such as "Jellymould" and "The Salesman's Spaceship" (the latter thanks to its status as a popular fleet car in the United Kingdom). Sales were slow at first. It was later in the Sierra's life that the styling began to pay off; ten years after its introduction, the Sierra's styling was not nearly as outdated as its contemporaries. As other manufacturers adopted similar aerodynamic styling, the Sierra looked more normal.

Early versions suffered from crosswind stability problems, which were addressed in 1985. These shortcomings saw a lot of press attention, and contributed to early slow sales. Other rumours that the car hid major crash damage (in part true, as the new bumper design sprung back after minor impact and couldn't be "read" to interpret major damage) also harmed the car's reputation. This reached near-hysterical heights at one point with UK press erroneously reporting Ford would reintroduce the previous Cortina model out of desperation.

The Sierra was Ford's answer to the similar-sized Vauxhall Cavalier, which had been launched a year earlier with front-wheel drive and a hatchback bodystyle. Unusually in its sector by that time, the Sierra was still rear-wheel drive. It was a strong competitor for other rivals of the early 1980s, including the Talbot Alpine, Renault 18, Peugeot 305 and Morris Ital.

Throughout its production life, the Sierra competed with newer models; these included the Mark III Vauxhall Cavalier (1988), Austin Montego (1984), Peugeot 405 (1987) and Rover 400 (1990).

Body styles In another departure from tradition, the Sierra was initially unavailable as a saloon. At its launch it was available as a 5-door hatchback and a 5-door station wagon, and as a 3-door hatchback. During the life of the car, two different styles of 3-door body were used; one with two pillars rear of the door, looking very much like a modified 5-door frame, as used on the high-performance XR4i; and a one-pillar design used on standard-performance 3-door hatchbacks and also at the other end of the scale as the basis for the very high-performance RS Cosworth. At the time of the car's launch, both styles were already envisaged, and a demonstration model with one style on either side was displayed at a Sierra design exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

The Ford Cortina had been manufactured in saloon and estate car bodystyles but after the switch to the Sierra, combined with the redesign of the Ford Escort (European) to Mark III level in 1980 and the introduction of the Ford Granada Mark III in 1985, Ford had changed its saloon-based line-up into a hatchback-based one.

The company launched the Ford Orion in 1983 to fill the gap in the saloon range between the late Cortina and the new Sierra. Ford found that customers were more attached to the idea of a saloon than they had expected, and this was further addressed in 1987 by the production of a saloon version of the Sierra. In the UK, this model was called the Ford Sierra Sapphire. This differed from the other Sierra models in having a traditional black grille, which only appeared in right hand drive markets. The 3-door Sierra was dropped in the UK in 1985, although the Cosworth version continued. Production of the 3-door Sierra continued in Europe, including after the Sierra range was given a facelift in 1987. The remodelled 3-door was never offered in the UK.

Sierra model range Initial drivetrain options October 1982: introduction of the Sierra 5-door hatchback and 5-door estate range in the UK and consisting of:

1300, 1600 and 2000 engines all have a 4-speed manual gearbox; a 5-speed manual gearbox was optional with 1600 and 2000 engines, and standard with the 1600 Economy engine, the 2300 and 2300 Diesel. An optional 3-speed automatic transmission was available with 1600, 2000 and 2300 engines.

Sporting models utilized the 2.8 / 2.9 litre V6 engines coupled to a four wheel drive system (GLS4X4/XR4x4) and, more notably the well known Cosworth model which was powered by a turbocharged 16 valve 4-cylinder engine known as the YB which was based on the Ford 'Pinto' block. The Ford Sierra Cosworth was first introduced in 1985 as a three door hatchback, with a 2litre dohc turbo engine producing 200 bhp. At the time Ford wanted to produce a new faster rally car and could only enter a car if it produced at least 500 road cars (unmodified), hence the Ford Sierra RS500 (only 500 were produced). Built by Cosworth a 2litre dohc turbo but with an extra set of injectors, so instead of the standard four injectors it was built with eight, producing over 330 bhp. . They were very successful in motorsport and are highly tunable road cars.

The Naturally aspirated V6 powered Sierras make excellent trackday cars and the 2.8 Fuel Injection Cologne V6 responds well to turbocharging, making an excellent performance road car.In 1989 Ford introduced the Sierra Sapphire a four door saloon and ended production of the Sierra in 1992.

Sierras outside Europe South Africa In South Africa, the Sierra range featured both the hatchback and wagon. The restyled Sierra range, introduced in 1988, differed from its European equivalent by featuring the traditional black grille of the Sierra Sapphire sedan (known simply in South Africa as the Sapphire) on the hatchback and wagon. (Later, the grille would feature on these models in Europe.)

Versions sold in South Africa were available with 1.6 (Kent) and 2.0 (Cologne) 4-cylinder, 2.3 V6 (Cologne) or 3.0-litre V6 (Essex) petrol engines. While the Cortina MkV in South Africa had retained the old 3.0 V6 Essex engine, the Sierra was initially given the new 2.3 V6 Cologne motor, this being fitted to the top of the line model. However, owing to the low cost of petrol, and the popularity of the old Cortina XR6, a Sierra XR6 was launched, featuring the old Essex, now producing over 100 kW.

As the 2.8/2.9 Cologne was never launched in South Africa, this remained the best normal production engine fitted to the Sierra. Soon the 2.3 GLS gave way to a 3.0 GLX flagship model (producing less power but more torque than the XR6) and that was the end of the Cologne in South Africa, even the station wagon receiving the 3.0 V6 Essex. By 1985, the Sierra had become the largest Ford model, following the demise of the Ford Granada.

Towards the end of its life, the Essex was given Essex fuel injection and fitted to the Sierra as the 3.0i RS (replacing the XR6) and to the Sapphire sedan as the Sapphire Ghia (replacing the 3.0 GLX). The fuel-injected Essexes put out around 117 kW and were the most powerful Sierra sold in South Africa, excluding the small number of XR8s built for homologation purposes.

Uniquely, the South African market also saw the introduction of a 5.0L XR8 at the end of the Sierra and Sapphire production run between 1986 and 1988. A limited number of 250 were made for the purposes of homolgation, as this model was the premier Ford used in Group N racing.

The 1.6 Kent continued almost unchanged during the 9 year life of the Sierra/Sapphire, while the 2.0 Cologne was revised several times, being fitted to the Sierra 2.0 GL and GLE and later to the stripped down Sierra 2.0 LX and Sapphire 2.0 GL and GLE models. It eventually even received fuel injection in the Sapphire 2.0GLi, boosting the power from 77 kW to 85 kW.

The Sierra was replaced by the Telstar in 1993. Samcor, which assembled Ford models under license after Ford had divested from the country, was already assembling the smaller Ford Laser and Ford Meteor, alongside the Mazda 323, on which they were based, as well as an earlier version of the Mazda 626. Ford's badge engineering of Mazdas proved less successful in South Africa than in other markets, and the Telstar was replaced by the Mondeo in 1998.

New Zealand Whereas British buyers rued the absence of a saloon version of the Sierra, in New Zealand, it was the absence of an estate (a "station wagon" there) that customers missed, when Ford New Zealand replaced the Cortina with the Ford Telstar range. This led to Ford importing Complete knock down ("completely knocked down") kits of the Sierra wagon for local assembly in 1984. The wagon was offered in 1.6 (base) and 2.0 litre "L" and "Ghia" models initially, and proved to be a strong seller. In one month in 1987, the facelifted Ford Sierra, by then a single station wagon model, was the country's top-selling car range.

However, Ford cancelled the Sierra once Mazda, which developed the Telstar, could offer a station wagon. The Telstar wagon, while popular, never reached the Sierra's heights, especially its competition successes overseas. Further reasons could be customers' knowledge of the Telstar's Japanese roots (European cars being perceived as superior, regardless of the Telstar's more modern mechanicals), and that the equivalent Mazda 626 wagon offered a considerably longer warranty at a similar price.

Relative rejection of the Telstar forced Ford to import completely built-up (CBU) premium models built in Genk, Belgium from 1990: the Sierra 2.0 GLX Wagon, the Sierra Sapphire 2.0 Ghia and the XR4×4 were part of this range. The advertising copy read, "Introducing the new car that needs no introduction." However, a relatively high price did not help – the Wagon began at over NZ$31,000 – and production errors in the launch brochure showed cars with no steering wheels. Furthermore, any marketing boosts Ford could have gained through Group A touring car racing were over with the Ford Escort Cosworth becoming the company's standard-bearer in competition (and the Escort, meanwhile, was absent from the New Zealand market).

The Sierra was withdrawn from the New Zealand market in 1992, and it would be another five years before its European successor the Mondeo would arrive there.

In Australia, the Sierra RS Cosworth/RS500 was used in the Australian Touring Car Championships from the late 80's and early 90's. Strangely, the Sierra was never actually sold in Australia, due to the Telstar filling that role.

South America In South America, the Sierra was produced in Argentina and Venezuela. In Argentina, it was offered in two and five-door hatchback and station wagon bodystyles. The facelifted post-1987 model was built in Venezuela, but not in Argentina until 1989, where the range continued with a Merkur XR4Ti-like grille until 1991 for XR4 and 1992 for four door models, when it was replaced by the Volkswagen Santana-based Ford Versailles#Brazil. The 1.6 L was offered in GL model only, LX, Ghia, Ghia SX and XR4 were based in a 2.3 engine with some differences. Some Ghia models also featured automatic transmission as an optional. The station wagon was called the Sierra Rural — "Rural" being used for Ford station wagons in Argentina in the same way "Turnier" is used in Germany.

GL model was the base model replaced by the LX with same equipment.XR4 was replaced by the 4-doors Ghia SX.

North America In the USA, the Ford Sierra and the Ford Scorpio were offered under the failed Merkur brand. The Sierra was imported as a three door only, and called the XR4Ti (similar to sub-model designations in other markets). The Sierra name was not used by Ford in the US; the market had already seen the similar-sounding Oldsmobile Ciera, and the Sierra name was used by General Motors Corporation from the 1970s as a trim level on its GMC Sierra.

The car was offered from the start of the Merkur brand in 1985 until 1989. It was equipped with a 2.3 L variant of the SOHC "Pinto" engine, equipped with a turbocharger and fuel injection but no intercooler.

The Merkur brand is claimed to have been a commercial flop. The reasons vary. Safety and emissions regulations in the U.S. forced Ford to make costly modifications, resulting in relatively high prices. Exchange rates also fluctuated too frequently. Moreover, since Merkurs were sold at Lincoln automobile-Mercury automobile dealers, many customers were more attracted towards Mercury models because of their lower prices. Ironically, the XR4Ti outsold all the European XR variants combined, making it the most successful "XR" model.

Mechanicals Unlike many of its rivals, the Sierra retained rear wheel drive, albeit with a modern, fully independent rear suspension, departing from the Cortina's live axle.

In the beginning the Sierra used internal combustion engine and transmissions from the Taunus / Cortina. The engines were of two types, the SOHC Ford Pinto engine in 1.3, 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 L engine displacement, and the OHV Ford Cologne V6 engine (in 2.3 and 2.8, rarely 2.9 L capacities). Towards the end of the 1980s, the Pinto engine began to be phased out replaced with the Ford I4 DOHC engine (2.0 L) or Ford CVH engine (1.6 L and 1.8 L) first seen in the Ford Escort in 1980. The Ford Cologne V6 engine was available in the Sierra XR4x4 and the rear wheel drive Sierra Ghia. Models with the 2.0 L and Cologne V6 engines had an option of a limited slip differential. Models built until 1989 used the type 9 gearbox that had been used in the Cortina, with the exception of 2WD Cosworth models that used the T5; it was later superseded by the MT75 unit (for DOHC, 4X4 and V6 models). All Sierras had rear drum brakes, except sporting models (2.0iS (some), XR4x4, Sierra Cosworth, other special/sporting models inc 2.0i 4x4) and models with anti-lock brakes. American versions meanwhile were sold only with a 2.3 L four cylinder turbocharged version of the Pinto engine.

The Sierra also had a diesel option on the engine, namely at launch the 2.3L normally aspirated Diesel made by Peugeot. This engine was also used in contemporary Granadas and whilst reliable and economical it made an unrefined, noisy and very slow vehicle, but remained a popular option for Taxi firms. This was later superseded in 1990 by a 1.8L turbocharger powerplant of Ford's own design which offered better response times and slightly more power.

XR4i and other sporting models In 1983, the high-performance XR4i version was introduced. It utilised the same 2.8 L Cologne engine as used in the Ford Capri 2.8 Injection of that era and sported a restyled version of the 3-door Sierra bodyshell. The double rear spoiler and curious multi-pillared rear windows were considered over-styled by some prospective buyers, and the car never achieved the cult status of the smaller Fiesta XR2 and Escort XR3i. A version of the XR4i with a 2.3 L turbocharged engine was sold in the United States as the Merkur XR4Ti. The XR4Ti was raced in Europe, most noticeably by Andy Rouse who used one to win the 1985 BTCC.In South Africa, there was a 3.0 L V6 version, called the XR6, while a limited run of 250 eight-cylinder XR8s were made in South Africa for saloon car racing homologation in 1984. These were based on the Ford Windsor engine.

In 1985 the XR4i was replaced by the XR4x4, which was based on the five-door hatchback, had four wheel drive and was powered by the same 2.8 L V6 engine. By the end of its production in 1990, 23,540 had been produced. From 1990 to 1993 the XR4x4 was available with both the revised 2.9EFi and 2.0 DOHC EFi engines. The XR4i also made a reappearance (as a badging exercise) in 5-door form but with the DOHC 2.0 engine instead of the V6.

In 1989, Ford nodded towards its past and created the Sierra 2.0i 2000E, a model name used with limited success on the Mk3 Cortina. The Sierra 2000E had two-tone metallic paint, alloys and leather/wood interior and was offered in saloon form. It was not a great sales success and was only a limited run.

In Argentina the XR4 model (without injection) starts at 1986 until 1991, It was equipped with the Taunus 2.3 engine. At the 89's all Sierra models has a small facelift. The direct rival was the Renault Fuego 2.2

image:1986.ford.sierra.cosworth.arp.750pix.jpg

In July 1986, a special version called the Ford Sierra RS Cosworth was launched, using a 204 hp (DIN) 2.0 L DOHC engine developed by Cosworth, with a Garret T3 turbocharger and intercooler. It was designed by Ford's Special Vehicle Engineering (SVE) group and made in Ford's Genk factory in Belgium. It was based on a three-door Sierra with the dashboard from the Merkur XR4Ti. The car was available in only white, black or Ford's 'Moonstone Blue' and only 5545 were made.

In 1987, a 224 bhp Sierra Cosworth, the RS500, was sold alongside the 204 hp version. Only 500 were produced as the minimum number of road-going cars required to meet with newly introduced homologation racing rules, allowing it to compete in certain motor racing competitions. The car was modified by the Tickford in conjunction with Ford. Revisions included uprated brakes and modified front and rear spoilers (a second smaller rear spoiler was added beneath the large "whale-tail"), a modified front bumper to allow extra cooling for a larger intercooler, as well as various engine upgrades including a larger turbocharger. Racing versions of the Cosworth were highly successful in European and World touring car racing throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s', and the RS500 helped Ford to win the manufacturer's title in the 1987 World Touring Car Championship.

In 1988, a new Cosworth was produced which was based on the Sierra Sapphire saloon. 13,140 were produced until it was replaced in 1990 by a four wheel drive version, the Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth 4x4, of which 12,250 were built. Its replacement came in the form of the Ford Escort RS Cosworth which appeared in 1992, which used a shortened and developed version of the Sierra platform and running gear but clothed with an Escort-esque bodyshell and the return of the whale-tail spoiler.

Currently, because of the RWD layout, the Sierra has became a good and cheap option to use as a drift-car.

Turbocharged versions The 2.0 L Ford Sierra was an attractive base to a serious street car tuning project, as a turbocharged 2.0 L engine could produce well over 400 hp (300 kW) with a street-legal setup.

In Finland, tax laws made the 1.3 L-engined Sierra an attractive business car in the mid 1980s. A number of these underpowered engines were turbocharged by local Ford dealers in order to gain 2.0 L engine power with 1.3 L tax fees to the owner of the vehicle. The 1.6 L and 2.0 L OHC engines were also turbocharged. Some of these "Stockmann Turbo" Sierras, called so after a major dealer that made the conversions, are still running today.

Turbocharged versions of the Sierra were also available as post-production models from companies like Janspeed and, most notably, from Turbo Technics. The XR4x4 2.8 was available with a range of aftermarket kits pushing power from 150 bhp to 200/230/250 bhp. The 2.9 got a twin-turbo setup, available in 225/250/280 bhp variants. Even the DOHC version got a single turbo kit, of which only a small number were made. Turbo Technics even sold their own pre-prepared Sierra known as the Minker; only a handful were ever produced, as they cost significantly more than Ford's own RS Cosworth.

Changes during production life In 1987, the Sierra was given some minor styling revisions (the windows were slightly enlarged, while the front fascia was tweaked), and a saloon (Ford Sierra Sapphire) version was introduced. A pickup truck version was also introduced in 1988 to replace the Cortina-based P100 imported from South Africa. It kept the P100 name. Some detail styling changes were made in 1990, when the dashboard styling was freshened up, the front fascia featuring white lense indicators, the rear fascia given smoked rear lamp lenses, improved steering wheel design and front grille was added to suit growing demands. A further revision to the interior trim (dash and door trimmings) and bumpers appeared for the 1992 line up. UK production of the Sierra ceased, with right hand drive production moving to Belgium.

By the early 1990s, however, it had become clear that the Sierra had fallen out of step technologically against modern Japanese rivals which offered multi-valve engines, multi-link rear suspension and front wheel drive. All of these features would appear on the Sierra's long awaited replacement, the Ford Mondeo, which was unveiled at the end of 1992 and launched the following March.

As of 2007, 14 years after the Sierra's demise, numerous examples of the car are still in circulation. Along with the Cosworth and XR range (that have held a cult following for a number of years), the Sierra is starting to move into the collectable/classic scene, especially the Mk1 versions.

Sierra UK The first United Kingdom buyers took delivery of the Sierra during October of 1982, one year after the launch of the second generation Vauxhall Cavalier that was already proving very popular with buyers. Although the Sierra was available as a hatchback like the Cavalier, it inherited the Ford Cortina rear-wheel drive layout, a perhaps surprising decision for Ford Motor Company to make at a time when rear-wheel drive cars in its sector were gradually being phased out in favour of new cars with front-wheel drive.

The initial reaction to the Sierra from the British motoring public was one of shock, as it was quite unlike anything else on the road at the time, and was worlds away from the ultra-conventional Ford Cortina that had been Britain's most popular car for the previous 10 years.

But buyers soon got used to the Sierra's aerodynamic design (which earned it the nicknames "Jellymould" and "Salesman's Spaceship") and it was Britain's third most popular new car for 1983, and the most popular in its sector. It was overtaken by the Vauxhall Cavalier in 1984 and again in 1985, but regained top spot in 1986 and held it until Vauxhall reclaimed top spot with the third generation Cavalier in 1990.

The Sierra never sold quite as well as the Cortina, but it was still a hugely popular car which attracted six-figure volume sales year after year, with the fleet market being particularly attracted to it.

Some people say that the lack of a saloon version (not just the car's unconventional styling) slowed down sales in its first few months on sale, but buyers looking for a full-sized family saloon finally got what they wanted in February 1987 when the facelifted Sierra went on sale and the updated range included the Sierra Sapphire saloon.

Production ceased at the beginning of 1993 on the launch of the entirely new Ford Mondeo, but the Sierra remained hugely popular as a second hand buy, and as of 2007 - 14 years after its demise - the car is still a frequent sight on British roads.

External links

{{Infobox Automobile| image = | name = Ford Sierra| manufacturer = Ford Motor Company–[1993
[Ford Taunus| class = [Mid-Size Car (MK2)]
1.6 L Ford Pinto engine
2.0 L Ford Pinto engine
2.0 L Ford I4 DOHC engine
1.6 L Ford CVH engine
1.8 L Ford CVH engine
2.3 L Ford Cologne V6 engine
2.8 L Ford Cologne V6 engine
2.9 L Ford Cologne V6 engine-->The Ford Sierra was a large family car built by Ford Europe between 1982 and 1993, originally designed by Uwe Bahnsen, Robert Lutz and Patrick le Quément, .

Released on 21 September, 1982, it replaced the Ford Cortina/Ford Taunus, and was itself replaced by the Ford Mondeo. (In New Zealand and South Africa, it was initially replaced by the Ford Telstar). Its aerodynamic styling was ahead of its time but more conservative buyers found it unappealing.

Possibly for this reason, and the early lack of a sedan variant, it never quite achieved the sales volumes of the Cortina or the Taunus, although sales were still strong; a total of 2,700,500 Sierras were made, mainly manufactured in Germany, Belgium, and the United Kingdom, although Sierras were also assembled in Argentina, Venezuela, South Africa, and New Zealand.

Styling The first Ford vehicle to have the bold new "aero" look styling was the 1981 Ford Probe III concept car. The good reception this received encouraged Ford management to go ahead with a production car with styling almost as challenging. This "aero" look influenced Fords worldwide; 1983's new Ford Thunderbird in North America introduced similar rounded, flowing lines, and some other new Fords of the time adopted the look. The aerodynamic features of the Sierra were developed from those first seen in the Ford Escort Mk III — the "Aeroback" bootlid stump was proved to reduce the drag coefficient of the bodyshell significantly, which was a class leading 0.34 at its launch.

The aerodynamic styling of the Sierra would later be seen in North America's equally revolutionary Ford Taurus.

At first, many found the design blob-like and difficult to accept after being used to the sharp-edged, straight-line styling of the Cortina, and it picked up nicknames such as "Jellymould" and "The Salesman's Spaceship" (the latter thanks to its status as a popular fleet car in the United Kingdom). Sales were slow at first. It was later in the Sierra's life that the styling began to pay off; ten years after its introduction, the Sierra's styling was not nearly as outdated as its contemporaries. As other manufacturers adopted similar aerodynamic styling, the Sierra looked more normal.

Early versions suffered from crosswind stability problems, which were addressed in 1985. These shortcomings saw a lot of press attention, and contributed to early slow sales. Other rumours that the car hid major crash damage (in part true, as the new bumper design sprung back after minor impact and couldn't be "read" to interpret major damage) also harmed the car's reputation. This reached near-hysterical heights at one point with UK press erroneously reporting Ford would reintroduce the previous Cortina model out of desperation.

The Sierra was Ford's answer to the similar-sized Vauxhall Cavalier, which had been launched a year earlier with front-wheel drive and a hatchback bodystyle. Unusually in its sector by that time, the Sierra was still rear-wheel drive. It was a strong competitor for other rivals of the early 1980s, including the Talbot Alpine, Renault 18, Peugeot 305 and Morris Ital.

Throughout its production life, the Sierra competed with newer models; these included the Mark III Vauxhall Cavalier (1988), Austin Montego (1984), Peugeot 405 (1987) and Rover 400 (1990).

Body styles In another departure from tradition, the Sierra was initially unavailable as a saloon. At its launch it was available as a 5-door hatchback and a 5-door station wagon, and as a 3-door hatchback. During the life of the car, two different styles of 3-door body were used; one with two pillars rear of the door, looking very much like a modified 5-door frame, as used on the high-performance XR4i; and a one-pillar design used on standard-performance 3-door hatchbacks and also at the other end of the scale as the basis for the very high-performance RS Cosworth. At the time of the car's launch, both styles were already envisaged, and a demonstration model with one style on either side was displayed at a Sierra design exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

The Ford Cortina had been manufactured in saloon and estate car bodystyles but after the switch to the Sierra, combined with the redesign of the Ford Escort (European) to Mark III level in 1980 and the introduction of the Ford Granada Mark III in 1985, Ford had changed its saloon-based line-up into a hatchback-based one.

The company launched the Ford Orion in 1983 to fill the gap in the saloon range between the late Cortina and the new Sierra. Ford found that customers were more attached to the idea of a saloon than they had expected, and this was further addressed in 1987 by the production of a saloon version of the Sierra. In the UK, this model was called the Ford Sierra Sapphire. This differed from the other Sierra models in having a traditional black grille, which only appeared in right hand drive markets. The 3-door Sierra was dropped in the UK in 1985, although the Cosworth version continued. Production of the 3-door Sierra continued in Europe, including after the Sierra range was given a facelift in 1987. The remodelled 3-door was never offered in the UK.

Sierra model range Initial drivetrain options October 1982: introduction of the Sierra 5-door hatchback and 5-door estate range in the UK and consisting of:

1300, 1600 and 2000 engines all have a 4-speed manual gearbox; a 5-speed manual gearbox was optional with 1600 and 2000 engines, and standard with the 1600 Economy engine, the 2300 and 2300 Diesel. An optional 3-speed automatic transmission was available with 1600, 2000 and 2300 engines.

Sporting models utilized the 2.8 / 2.9 litre V6 engines coupled to a four wheel drive system (GLS4X4/XR4x4) and, more notably the well known Cosworth model which was powered by a turbocharged 16 valve 4-cylinder engine known as the YB which was based on the Ford 'Pinto' block. The Ford Sierra Cosworth was first introduced in 1985 as a three door hatchback, with a 2litre dohc turbo engine producing 200 bhp. At the time Ford wanted to produce a new faster rally car and could only enter a car if it produced at least 500 road cars (unmodified), hence the Ford Sierra RS500 (only 500 were produced). Built by Cosworth a 2litre dohc turbo but with an extra set of injectors, so instead of the standard four injectors it was built with eight, producing over 330 bhp. . They were very successful in motorsport and are highly tunable road cars.

The Naturally aspirated V6 powered Sierras make excellent trackday cars and the 2.8 Fuel Injection Cologne V6 responds well to turbocharging, making an excellent performance road car.In 1989 Ford introduced the Sierra Sapphire a four door saloon and ended production of the Sierra in 1992.

Sierras outside Europe South Africa In South Africa, the Sierra range featured both the hatchback and wagon. The restyled Sierra range, introduced in 1988, differed from its European equivalent by featuring the traditional black grille of the Sierra Sapphire sedan (known simply in South Africa as the Sapphire) on the hatchback and wagon. (Later, the grille would feature on these models in Europe.)

Versions sold in South Africa were available with 1.6 (Kent) and 2.0 (Cologne) 4-cylinder, 2.3 V6 (Cologne) or 3.0-litre V6 (Essex) petrol engines. While the Cortina MkV in South Africa had retained the old 3.0 V6 Essex engine, the Sierra was initially given the new 2.3 V6 Cologne motor, this being fitted to the top of the line model. However, owing to the low cost of petrol, and the popularity of the old Cortina XR6, a Sierra XR6 was launched, featuring the old Essex, now producing over 100 kW.

As the 2.8/2.9 Cologne was never launched in South Africa, this remained the best normal production engine fitted to the Sierra. Soon the 2.3 GLS gave way to a 3.0 GLX flagship model (producing less power but more torque than the XR6) and that was the end of the Cologne in South Africa, even the station wagon receiving the 3.0 V6 Essex. By 1985, the Sierra had become the largest Ford model, following the demise of the Ford Granada.

Towards the end of its life, the Essex was given Essex fuel injection and fitted to the Sierra as the 3.0i RS (replacing the XR6) and to the Sapphire sedan as the Sapphire Ghia (replacing the 3.0 GLX). The fuel-injected Essexes put out around 117 kW and were the most powerful Sierra sold in South Africa, excluding the small number of XR8s built for homologation purposes.

Uniquely, the South African market also saw the introduction of a 5.0L XR8 at the end of the Sierra and Sapphire production run between 1986 and 1988. A limited number of 250 were made for the purposes of homolgation, as this model was the premier Ford used in Group N racing.

The 1.6 Kent continued almost unchanged during the 9 year life of the Sierra/Sapphire, while the 2.0 Cologne was revised several times, being fitted to the Sierra 2.0 GL and GLE and later to the stripped down Sierra 2.0 LX and Sapphire 2.0 GL and GLE models. It eventually even received fuel injection in the Sapphire 2.0GLi, boosting the power from 77 kW to 85 kW.

The Sierra was replaced by the Telstar in 1993. Samcor, which assembled Ford models under license after Ford had divested from the country, was already assembling the smaller Ford Laser and Ford Meteor, alongside the Mazda 323, on which they were based, as well as an earlier version of the Mazda 626. Ford's badge engineering of Mazdas proved less successful in South Africa than in other markets, and the Telstar was replaced by the Mondeo in 1998.

New Zealand Whereas British buyers rued the absence of a saloon version of the Sierra, in New Zealand, it was the absence of an estate (a "station wagon" there) that customers missed, when Ford New Zealand replaced the Cortina with the Ford Telstar range. This led to Ford importing Complete knock down ("completely knocked down") kits of the Sierra wagon for local assembly in 1984. The wagon was offered in 1.6 (base) and 2.0 litre "L" and "Ghia" models initially, and proved to be a strong seller. In one month in 1987, the facelifted Ford Sierra, by then a single station wagon model, was the country's top-selling car range.

However, Ford cancelled the Sierra once Mazda, which developed the Telstar, could offer a station wagon. The Telstar wagon, while popular, never reached the Sierra's heights, especially its competition successes overseas. Further reasons could be customers' knowledge of the Telstar's Japanese roots (European cars being perceived as superior, regardless of the Telstar's more modern mechanicals), and that the equivalent Mazda 626 wagon offered a considerably longer warranty at a similar price.

Relative rejection of the Telstar forced Ford to import completely built-up (CBU) premium models built in Genk, Belgium from 1990: the Sierra 2.0 GLX Wagon, the Sierra Sapphire 2.0 Ghia and the XR4×4 were part of this range. The advertising copy read, "Introducing the new car that needs no introduction." However, a relatively high price did not help – the Wagon began at over NZ$31,000 – and production errors in the launch brochure showed cars with no steering wheels. Furthermore, any marketing boosts Ford could have gained through Group A touring car racing were over with the Ford Escort Cosworth becoming the company's standard-bearer in competition (and the Escort, meanwhile, was absent from the New Zealand market).

The Sierra was withdrawn from the New Zealand market in 1992, and it would be another five years before its European successor the Mondeo would arrive there.

In Australia, the Sierra RS Cosworth/RS500 was used in the Australian Touring Car Championships from the late 80's and early 90's. Strangely, the Sierra was never actually sold in Australia, due to the Telstar filling that role.

South America In South America, the Sierra was produced in Argentina and Venezuela. In Argentina, it was offered in two and five-door hatchback and station wagon bodystyles. The facelifted post-1987 model was built in Venezuela, but not in Argentina until 1989, where the range continued with a Merkur XR4Ti-like grille until 1991 for XR4 and 1992 for four door models, when it was replaced by the Volkswagen Santana-based Ford Versailles#Brazil. The 1.6 L was offered in GL model only, LX, Ghia, Ghia SX and XR4 were based in a 2.3 engine with some differences. Some Ghia models also featured automatic transmission as an optional. The station wagon was called the Sierra Rural — "Rural" being used for Ford station wagons in Argentina in the same way "Turnier" is used in Germany.

GL model was the base model replaced by the LX with same equipment.XR4 was replaced by the 4-doors Ghia SX.

North America In the USA, the Ford Sierra and the Ford Scorpio were offered under the failed Merkur brand. The Sierra was imported as a three door only, and called the XR4Ti (similar to sub-model designations in other markets). The Sierra name was not used by Ford in the US; the market had already seen the similar-sounding Oldsmobile Ciera, and the Sierra name was used by General Motors Corporation from the 1970s as a trim level on its GMC Sierra.

The car was offered from the start of the Merkur brand in 1985 until 1989. It was equipped with a 2.3 L variant of the SOHC "Pinto" engine, equipped with a turbocharger and fuel injection but no intercooler.

The Merkur brand is claimed to have been a commercial flop. The reasons vary. Safety and emissions regulations in the U.S. forced Ford to make costly modifications, resulting in relatively high prices. Exchange rates also fluctuated too frequently. Moreover, since Merkurs were sold at Lincoln automobile-Mercury automobile dealers, many customers were more attracted towards Mercury models because of their lower prices. Ironically, the XR4Ti outsold all the European XR variants combined, making it the most successful "XR" model.

Mechanicals Unlike many of its rivals, the Sierra retained rear wheel drive, albeit with a modern, fully independent rear suspension, departing from the Cortina's live axle.

In the beginning the Sierra used internal combustion engine and transmissions from the Taunus / Cortina. The engines were of two types, the SOHC Ford Pinto engine in 1.3, 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0 L engine displacement, and the OHV Ford Cologne V6 engine (in 2.3 and 2.8, rarely 2.9 L capacities). Towards the end of the 1980s, the Pinto engine began to be phased out replaced with the Ford I4 DOHC engine (2.0 L) or Ford CVH engine (1.6 L and 1.8 L) first seen in the Ford Escort in 1980. The Ford Cologne V6 engine was available in the Sierra XR4x4 and the rear wheel drive Sierra Ghia. Models with the 2.0 L and Cologne V6 engines had an option of a limited slip differential. Models built until 1989 used the type 9 gearbox that had been used in the Cortina, with the exception of 2WD Cosworth models that used the T5; it was later superseded by the MT75 unit (for DOHC, 4X4 and V6 models). All Sierras had rear drum brakes, except sporting models (2.0iS (some), XR4x4, Sierra Cosworth, other special/sporting models inc 2.0i 4x4) and models with anti-lock brakes. American versions meanwhile were sold only with a 2.3 L four cylinder turbocharged version of the Pinto engine.

The Sierra also had a diesel option on the engine, namely at launch the 2.3L normally aspirated Diesel made by Peugeot. This engine was also used in contemporary Granadas and whilst reliable and economical it made an unrefined, noisy and very slow vehicle, but remained a popular option for Taxi firms. This was later superseded in 1990 by a 1.8L turbocharger powerplant of Ford's own design which offered better response times and slightly more power.

XR4i and other sporting models In 1983, the high-performance XR4i version was introduced. It utilised the same 2.8 L Cologne engine as used in the Ford Capri 2.8 Injection of that era and sported a restyled version of the 3-door Sierra bodyshell. The double rear spoiler and curious multi-pillared rear windows were considered over-styled by some prospective buyers, and the car never achieved the cult status of the smaller Fiesta XR2 and Escort XR3i. A version of the XR4i with a 2.3 L turbocharged engine was sold in the United States as the Merkur XR4Ti. The XR4Ti was raced in Europe, most noticeably by Andy Rouse who used one to win the 1985 BTCC.In South Africa, there was a 3.0 L V6 version, called the XR6, while a limited run of 250 eight-cylinder XR8s were made in South Africa for saloon car racing homologation in 1984. These were based on the Ford Windsor engine.

In 1985 the XR4i was replaced by the XR4x4, which was based on the five-door hatchback, had four wheel drive and was powered by the same 2.8 L V6 engine. By the end of its production in 1990, 23,540 had been produced. From 1990 to 1993 the XR4x4 was available with both the revised 2.9EFi and 2.0 DOHC EFi engines. The XR4i also made a reappearance (as a badging exercise) in 5-door form but with the DOHC 2.0 engine instead of the V6.

In 1989, Ford nodded towards its past and created the Sierra 2.0i 2000E, a model name used with limited success on the Mk3 Cortina. The Sierra 2000E had two-tone metallic paint, alloys and leather/wood interior and was offered in saloon form. It was not a great sales success and was only a limited run.

In Argentina the XR4 model (without injection) starts at 1986 until 1991, It was equipped with the Taunus 2.3 engine. At the 89's all Sierra models has a small facelift. The direct rival was the Renault Fuego 2.2

image:1986.ford.sierra.cosworth.arp.750pix.jpg

In July 1986, a special version called the Ford Sierra RS Cosworth was launched, using a 204 hp (DIN) 2.0 L DOHC engine developed by Cosworth, with a Garret T3 turbocharger and intercooler. It was designed by Ford's Special Vehicle Engineering (SVE) group and made in Ford's Genk factory in Belgium. It was based on a three-door Sierra with the dashboard from the Merkur XR4Ti. The car was available in only white, black or Ford's 'Moonstone Blue' and only 5545 were made.

In 1987, a 224 bhp Sierra Cosworth, the RS500, was sold alongside the 204 hp version. Only 500 were produced as the minimum number of road-going cars required to meet with newly introduced homologation racing rules, allowing it to compete in certain motor racing competitions. The car was modified by the Tickford in conjunction with Ford. Revisions included uprated brakes and modified front and rear spoilers (a second smaller rear spoiler was added beneath the large "whale-tail"), a modified front bumper to allow extra cooling for a larger intercooler, as well as various engine upgrades including a larger turbocharger. Racing versions of the Cosworth were highly successful in European and World touring car racing throughout the late 1980s and early 1990s', and the RS500 helped Ford to win the manufacturer's title in the 1987 World Touring Car Championship.

In 1988, a new Cosworth was produced which was based on the Sierra Sapphire saloon. 13,140 were produced until it was replaced in 1990 by a four wheel drive version, the Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth 4x4, of which 12,250 were built. Its replacement came in the form of the Ford Escort RS Cosworth which appeared in 1992, which used a shortened and developed version of the Sierra platform and running gear but clothed with an Escort-esque bodyshell and the return of the whale-tail spoiler.

Currently, because of the RWD layout, the Sierra has became a good and cheap option to use as a drift-car.

Turbocharged versions The 2.0 L Ford Sierra was an attractive base to a serious street car tuning project, as a turbocharged 2.0 L engine could produce well over 400 hp (300 kW) with a street-legal setup.

In Finland, tax laws made the 1.3 L-engined Sierra an attractive business car in the mid 1980s. A number of these underpowered engines were turbocharged by local Ford dealers in order to gain 2.0 L engine power with 1.3 L tax fees to the owner of the vehicle. The 1.6 L and 2.0 L OHC engines were also turbocharged. Some of these "Stockmann Turbo" Sierras, called so after a major dealer that made the conversions, are still running today.

Turbocharged versions of the Sierra were also available as post-production models from companies like Janspeed and, most notably, from Turbo Technics. The XR4x4 2.8 was available with a range of aftermarket kits pushing power from 150 bhp to 200/230/250 bhp. The 2.9 got a twin-turbo setup, available in 225/250/280 bhp variants. Even the DOHC version got a single turbo kit, of which only a small number were made. Turbo Technics even sold their own pre-prepared Sierra known as the Minker; only a handful were ever produced, as they cost significantly more than Ford's own RS Cosworth.

Changes during production life In 1987, the Sierra was given some minor styling revisions (the windows were slightly enlarged, while the front fascia was tweaked), and a saloon (Ford Sierra Sapphire) version was introduced. A pickup truck version was also introduced in 1988 to replace the Cortina-based P100 imported from South Africa. It kept the P100 name. Some detail styling changes were made in 1990, when the dashboard styling was freshened up, the front fascia featuring white lense indicators, the rear fascia given smoked rear lamp lenses, improved steering wheel design and front grille was added to suit growing demands. A further revision to the interior trim (dash and door trimmings) and bumpers appeared for the 1992 line up. UK production of the Sierra ceased, with right hand drive production moving to Belgium.

By the early 1990s, however, it had become clear that the Sierra had fallen out of step technologically against modern Japanese rivals which offered multi-valve engines, multi-link rear suspension and front wheel drive. All of these features would appear on the Sierra's long awaited replacement, the Ford Mondeo, which was unveiled at the end of 1992 and launched the following March.

As of 2007, 14 years after the Sierra's demise, numerous examples of the car are still in circulation. Along with the Cosworth and XR range (that have held a cult following for a number of years), the Sierra is starting to move into the collectable/classic scene, especially the Mk1 versions.

Sierra UK The first United Kingdom buyers took delivery of the Sierra during October of 1982, one year after the launch of the second generation Vauxhall Cavalier that was already proving very popular with buyers. Although the Sierra was available as a hatchback like the Cavalier, it inherited the Ford Cortina rear-wheel drive layout, a perhaps surprising decision for Ford Motor Company to make at a time when rear-wheel drive cars in its sector were gradually being phased out in favour of new cars with front-wheel drive.

The initial reaction to the Sierra from the British motoring public was one of shock, as it was quite unlike anything else on the road at the time, and was worlds away from the ultra-conventional Ford Cortina that had been Britain's most popular car for the previous 10 years.

But buyers soon got used to the Sierra's aerodynamic design (which earned it the nicknames "Jellymould" and "Salesman's Spaceship") and it was Britain's third most popular new car for 1983, and the most popular in its sector. It was overtaken by the Vauxhall Cavalier in 1984 and again in 1985, but regained top spot in 1986 and held it until Vauxhall reclaimed top spot with the third generation Cavalier in 1990.

The Sierra never sold quite as well as the Cortina, but it was still a hugely popular car which attracted six-figure volume sales year after year, with the fleet market being particularly attracted to it.

Some people say that the lack of a saloon version (not just the car's unconventional styling) slowed down sales in its first few months on sale, but buyers looking for a full-sized family saloon finally got what they wanted in February 1987 when the facelifted Sierra went on sale and the updated range included the Sierra Sapphire saloon.

Production ceased at the beginning of 1993 on the launch of the entirely new Ford Mondeo, but the Sierra remained hugely popular as a second hand buy, and as of 2007 - 14 years after its demise - the car is still a frequent sight on British roads.

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Welcome to The Ford Sierra Owners Club
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Ford Sierra / Sapphire / RS500 Cosworth - PassionFord
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Ford Sierra - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Ford Sierra is a large family car built by Ford Europe between 1982 and 1993, originally designed by Uwe Bahnsen, Robert Lutz and Patrick le Quément.

Sierra Spares - Ford Sierra and Sapphire Trading Portal
Ford Sierra and Sapphire Spares, Service Parts, Engine, Body, Interior and Transmission! Welcome to Sierra Spares! Sierra Spares, an online resource, dedicated to helping you ...

Welcome to Crustworld - Ford Sierra Online
Crustworld - Ford Sierra Online - your online source of Ford Sierra information ... Ford Sierra Online features tips, technical and maintennance information for the Ford Sierra ...

Ford Sierra - Features, Motoring - The Independent
They say that institutions aren't for messing with. Radio 4, fish and chips, and rainy bank holidays – and back in 1982, you could add the Ford Cortina to your list. The ... ...

Ford Sierra 4x4 Cosworth Sales Brochure (V.Rare). on eBay, also Ford ...
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