Ford Escort Mk1 is back with up to 300 HP

Boreham Motorworks has officially unveiled its Ford Escort Mk1 RS lineage, the Mk1 RS2000. This is more than just a re-issued performance car icon as it is officially sanctioned by Ford Motor Company. Instead of calling it a restomod, Boreham Motorworks prefers it to be referred to as a “continumod”. This is a “blueprint-accurate, period-sympathetic vehicle”, meaning there is no donor model – this is an authentic continuation model with an approved chassis number from Ford.

Under the hood is where it matters most as Boreham Motorworks is offering a choice of two powerplants. First up is the original Twin Cam engine, bored out to 1845cc with fuel injection, putting out 185 PS. This is mated to a proper manual four-speed ‘Ford Bullet’ synchromesh straight-cut transmission. For those who, there’s a 2100cc, fully-prepped engine.

It features a billet crankshaft, forged connecting rods, race-spec wiring loom, coil-on-plug ignition, fuel injection, an electronic throttle body, and a bespoke titanium exhaust system. Collectively, it all adds up to 300 PS and can rev all the way to 10,000 rpm with a glorious-sounding exhaust note. Carrying serious power, it is mated to a five-speed ‘dog-leg’ transmission with bespoke gear ratios. The rear axle is a lightweight unit made from aluminum and a titanium floating unit with a limited-slip ATB differential.

Suspension bits come in the form of coil-over dampers on all four corners with 260mm x 25mm vented discs with four-piston calipers at the front and 264mm x 11mm solid discs with two-piston calipers at the rear, with no servo. Ford performance enthusiasts will gladly take note of the 15-inch wheels which strongly take styling inspiration from the classic RS wheels of its time. It uses a staggered wheel setup with 15x7 up front and 15x8 at the rear with matching performance tires.

Demonstrating that this is more than just a re-issued icon, Boreham Motorworks has made necessary changes to the entire unibody structure. Utilizing CAE analysis for efficiency, chassis dynamics, and torsional rigidity studies, they have come up with notable structural body enhancements. This includes additional bracing, wider inner arches, and vertical rear dampers for a more rigid structure.

Making the Escort Mk1 RS as light as possible, the hood, trunk, and interior substrates were made from carbon fiber to meet the 800 kg target weight. Inside, the race-themed interior has been kept to the bare minimum, meeting the needs of the driver. A roll cage, heated screens, air-conditioning, and a screen-demist function, plus Alcantara and leather trim.

From an aesthetic standpoint, design director Wayne Burgess has stripped away the quarter bumpers and main direction indicators for a “sleeker and more purposeful silhouette”. Aside from the mandatory flared wheel arches, Race fans will also recognize the headlights that take inspiration from the taped-over square headlamps used during the original Mk1’s racing exploits. More particularly the the Alan Mann Racing Team, a legendary British racing team that raced Escorts during the Seventies. 

“From the very beginning, our goal was to honor the simplicity and purity of the original design, while ensuring it met the expectations of a modern performance car,” said Burgess of the 2025 Escort Mk1. “Every detail, from the minimalism of the exterior to the thoughtful functionality inside, is about distilling the essence of what made the Mk1 so special.”

Interested in going flat out and sideways through a corner? Better hurry up, as a total of just 150 examples of the 2025 Escort Mk1 RS will be built. Prices start at £295,000 (or PHP 21.871 million) and come with a two-year, 20,000-mile warranty.