VIDEO: Ken Block plays with ’91 Escort Cosworth WRC

Ken Block of Gymkhana fame has gotten his hands on a new toy – a WRC Group A Ford Escort Cosworth built to produce 400 hp and 549 Nm of torque. In contrast to Block’s previous machinery such as the Hoonicorn V2 and the Focus RS RX, the Cossie is notably bereft of his signature loud graphics and livery, with just a handful of Hoonigan decals placed on the plain white, largely standard exterior.

Even in terms of horsepower output it’s relatively modest against something like the 1,400 hp Hoonicorn which Block took on a climb up Pikes Peak, though as can be seen in the video above, it’s still very capable of making its own clouds.

In classic Ken Block fashion, said clouds of tyre smoke come off all four of the Escort Cosworth’s wheels courtesy of its all-wheel drive layout, mated to a seven-speed sequential gearbox. In a nod to the BMX world, the hydraulic handbrake is topped with a handlebar grip, and the gearlever’s reverse gear lockout is operated by a brake lever.

VIDEO: Ken Block plays with ’91 Escort Cosworth WRC

Further along, the interior has been laid out for the business of hard driving, with the dashboard switches and various driveline controls mounted in an exposed fashion. In keeping with motorsport practice, there are fire extinguishers installed within the cabin.

Before the World Rally Championship prototype racers of recent years, the Group A class was the pinnacle of international rallying, and thanks to homologation rules manufacturers had to make road-legal versions which brought forth ’90s icons such as the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution, the Subaru Impreza WRX STI and of course, the Ford Escort Cosworth.

Once the car is fired up, the sound pouring from its side-exit exhaust is predictably raw. Watch the video above to see (and hear) the 1991 Ford Escort Cosworth churn out some tyre smoke. Of course, with Block in the picture, we can expect this car to feature in an upcoming video.

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Mick Chan

Open roads and closed circuits hold great allure for Mick Chan. Driving heaven to him is exercising a playful chassis on twisty paths; prizes ergonomics and involvement over gadgetry. Spent three years at a motoring newspaper and short stint with a magazine prior to joining this website.

 

Comments

  • Donno on Oct 10, 2017 at 2:37 pm

    You don’t need to go far. There is a very special Ford Escort Cosworth here in Malaysia too, on the road and fully built to Group A standards by Graham Goode Racing UK in the end of 90’s for a Malaysian former rally driver (hint: not karamjit). It too has a 400hp engine.

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    • King of the Saracens?

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      • Donno on Oct 10, 2017 at 6:24 pm

        Good guess! Was featured in a few UK magazines too. Only a few other Escort Cosworths running around in Malaysia, such a rare car.

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