Ford Escort XR3i
Discussion
Ford announced its all-new Mk III in 1980, the new car being the first Escort model to feature front wheel drive and a transverse mounted engine. Ford had by now mastered the marketing art of offering a whole range of engine and trim options, from base models to Ghia and sporting derivatives.
A "hot-hatch" version, the XR3, was available from 1981 and was an instant hit. Unlike previous "hot" Escorts the XR3 had a practical combination of performance, luxury and accommodation. Available only with the three door hatch body the XR3 featured a 96bhp 1.6 litre engine. In 1983 the XR3 became the XR3i, thanks to the addition of fuel injection boosting power to 105bhp.
XR3/XR3i standard equipment included blacked/colour coded body trim, sports interiors, spot lamps and optional alloy road wheels. In 1986 the model was facelifted along with the rest of the range to "Mk IV" specification. The XR3i name lived on into the mid-1990's, killed off due to its "bad boy" image which worried insurance British companies!
A "hot-hatch" version, the XR3, was available from 1981 and was an instant hit. Unlike previous "hot" Escorts the XR3 had a practical combination of performance, luxury and accommodation. Available only with the three door hatch body the XR3 featured a 96bhp 1.6 litre engine. In 1983 the XR3 became the XR3i, thanks to the addition of fuel injection boosting power to 105bhp.
XR3/XR3i standard equipment included blacked/colour coded body trim, sports interiors, spot lamps and optional alloy road wheels. In 1986 the model was facelifted along with the rest of the range to "Mk IV" specification. The XR3i name lived on into the mid-1990's, killed off due to its "bad boy" image which worried insurance British companies!
DrivingForward said:
Ford announced its all-new Mk III in 1980, the new car being the first Escort model to feature front wheel drive and a transverse mounted engine. Ford had by now mastered the marketing art of offering a whole range of engine and trim options, from base models to Ghia and sporting derivatives.
A "hot-hatch" version, the XR3, was available from 1981 and was an instant hit. Unlike previous "hot" Escorts the XR3 had a practical combination of performance, luxury and accommodation. Available only with the three door hatch body the XR3 featured a 96bhp 1.6 litre engine. In 1983 the XR3 became the XR3i, thanks to the addition of fuel injection boosting power to 105bhp.
XR3/XR3i standard equipment included blacked/colour coded body trim, sports interiors, spot lamps and optional alloy road wheels. In 1986 the model was facelifted along with the rest of the range to "Mk IV" specification. The XR3i name lived on into the mid-1990's, killed off due to its "bad boy" image which worried insurance British companies!
If i remember the xr3i was a different animal to the xr3, the xr3 was developed by ford of germany, ford of britain were so unimpressed with it the changed the camber angles etc and added fuel injection to make it the car it should have been in the first place, back in the day thats why xr3's looked really high compared, in our family we had a brand new golf gti, on a c plate , i had a y reg xr3i, the xr3i would outhandle the golf, and everyone who drove them both agree'dA "hot-hatch" version, the XR3, was available from 1981 and was an instant hit. Unlike previous "hot" Escorts the XR3 had a practical combination of performance, luxury and accommodation. Available only with the three door hatch body the XR3 featured a 96bhp 1.6 litre engine. In 1983 the XR3 became the XR3i, thanks to the addition of fuel injection boosting power to 105bhp.
XR3/XR3i standard equipment included blacked/colour coded body trim, sports interiors, spot lamps and optional alloy road wheels. In 1986 the model was facelifted along with the rest of the range to "Mk IV" specification. The XR3i name lived on into the mid-1990's, killed off due to its "bad boy" image which worried insurance British companies!
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