Ford Sierra XR4x4 | Spotted
Remember when Ford made an all-wheel drive hatchback with a V6?
Winter is coming. We've entered the time of year when dependability and usability are likely to be prized beyond all other considerations. Perfect time to peruse a Sierra XR4x4, then. Ford's all-wheel drive hatch was developed to the extend the usability of its household name with a brace of driven axles and a tough, naturally aspirated V6. So popular did the concept prove in its day that the XR4x4 superseded the rear-wheel drive XR4i that came before it. It seemed Brits of the eighties were won over by the notion of added traction.
You can understand why, given that back in 1985, when the XR4x4 was first shown with its twin viscous differential-equipped driveline at the Geneva motor show, the four-wheel drive segment was comparatively tiny. This was four years before the Land Rover Discovery arrived with its rugged but road friendly demeanour, and a decade before the rise of SUVs really began. The XR4x4 promised familiar hatch usability with added year-round dependability in a familiar package. It was unique.
The car packed a punch, too. With Ford's 2.8-litre Cologne V6 provided the early three-door with 162hp at 5,700rpm, meaning the Sierra XR4x4 could hit 60mph in 8.5 seconds - ranking it alongside some of the era's most interesting hatchbacks, including the much smaller 1.6 Peugeot 205 GTI. Obviously, the Ford's ambition for the Sierra was different, but its rear-bias all-wheel drive system meant there was fun to be had in the 1,262kg machine.
In 1989, the Cologne motor grew to 2.9-litres and gained an electronic fuel injection system, but thanks to emissions restrictions and a 30kg gain in weight, the facelifted XR4x4 had 152hp and was a tenth slower to 60. Still, the XR4x4 ranked second only to the Sierra Sapphire Cosworth in the range, and its improved V6 was considered to be a sizeable step up in performance over the pre-facelift car. Along with the five-door bodyshell, Ford's sprightly machine was considered to be a comprehensive offering that left higher-grade executive alternatives like the E30 3 Series looking underequipped - at least in the driveline department. Continental 325ix notwithstanding.
Unlike BMW's first foray into the world of all-wheel drive saloons, the XR4x4 wasn't a leftfield choice but rather a significant contributor to the Sierra's global success. Nowadays, healthy Sierras are coming out of the woodwork as people appreciate prominent models from Ford's back catalogue, and - as you'd expect given the backstory - those with Ford's all-wheel drive hardware are second only to its most sporting or Cosworth-badged stuff.
Take the car we've found here, which is in like new state with only 22,404 miles on the clock, equating to an average of just 746.8 miles per year since it was built in 1990. It comes with extensive history paperwork: we know it was supplied new to Ford main dealer, Taits of Hemsworth Ltd, and registered on 1st August 1990 for £15,271. That figure included the car's optional equipment, with everything said to be in working order to this day; even the dealership welcome letter sent to the original owner comes with the car. It looks like a Blue Oval aficionado's perfect winter hack, albeit one that is likely to never actually see action in winter. Still, it's nice to know it could handle the snow should it theoretically have to, isn't it?
And the 2.8 engine was only rated at 150hp in this application, it was 160hp in the 2.8i Capri and Granada.
This was Ford’s answer to the (largely now forgotten) Audi 80 quattro, and a great car of its day. Not that quick by today’s standards, but remember we’re talking 1985 here. Traction was awesome.
I dread to think what this one is up for. POA sounds expensive....
Edit: just looked at the advert. I had to cringe at the Ford Extra cover reference - and that it’s expired...after 30 years!!! That’s not really a surprise....
Everyone knows they weren’t that great at the time but still brings back fond memories, we only ever had 2.0 RWD Sierras so the XR4x4 and of course anything Cosworth were halo models.
In some way more so for the XR as it was almost achievable plus the coolest sounding car name ever not to mention its graphics. Well to a young teenager it was, at the time, in retrospect, oh dear here comes memory lane....
They were ok in the day, never set any flames going. Turbo technics conversion would have made it a little livelier. No doubt a hefty Ford scene tax will be applied.
Contemporary road ready were very favourable when launched.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/triggerscarstuff/302...
My only recurring problem was a snapped main shaft in the gearbox which happened a few times, usually after a full bore take of, too much traction and not enough grunt to light up the tyres.
A poor mans cossie? Definitely not, but reasonably good value, good looking, simple and effective, I thoroughly enjoyed them.
I'd absolutely love another one and I often browse them to see what is for sale. I'm a really big fan of them for sure. I do remember them being thirsty little sods, but fuel was a lot cheaper back then.
I have much want for this one. I'd rather have it in white/red or blue though, I was never that keen on the grey.
As mentioned, in the Capri the 2.8 had 160bhp which I believe was down to the less restrictive exhaust.
Something must have struck a cord with me as a couple of years later I bought a TurboTechnics twin turbo version whic seemed to have colossal performance back then (and very different to subsequent Cosworths I owned)
As for the advert, yes it’s a truly wonderful looking example but why does Pistonheads allow ads to have POA, it’s a pet hate of mine
What do KGF do, wait for someone to ring up and ask them to name a price they think it may be before rebuffing them, and then squeeze and squeeze until they reach the price they think they can get away with
Ridiculous. Although I’m sure some will be vociferous in their disagreement...
Don't understand why people are posting negatives about a 30 year old car.
As an teenager in the 80's, I loved the XR & RS range and were always pointed out excitedly if one passed by...they just oozed 'cool'.
Enjoy the nostalgia of a long gone era.
At 22, this was a hell of a car, esp after .happy shopper' Fiesta's / Metro's and my old skool 3 litre Capri.
Mine had Cosworth ARB's and a some sort of free flowing pipe.
Awesome in the snow. Maxed it out on the M40.
Started to go a bit crusty so I sold it to a mate in Northumberland.
He sold it a few years later and then it was nicked and used in a ram raid...
Wish I still had it...
They were ok in the day, never set any flames going. Turbo technics conversion would have made it a little livelier. No doubt a hefty Ford scene tax will be applied.
Not actually convinced the 353ix was actually available in the UK at the time, but I may be wrong - this was years ago.
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