Reborn Ford Escort MK1 RS with 296 HP 2.1-liter engine

Only 150 of this very special Ford Escort will be built, with prices starting at £295,000 each

British brand Boreham Motorworks has launched the long-awaited facelifted version of the Ford Escort MK1 RS. The car is officially licensed by Ford and is not a modified car, but has been built from the ground up using original Escort blueprints and using modern technology.

The revived Escort features a new steel body that is not only lighter than the original, but also offers greater torsional rigidity. It then uses carbon fiber for the hood, decklid and interior floor panels, and weighs just 800 kilograms (1,763 pounds), a figure that’s almost unimaginable for a new car.

READ: Iconic MK2 Escort back in production, but not from Ford

Customers will have two engine options. The first is an upgraded version of the Escort RS’s original twin-cam four-cylinder engine, with displacement enlarged from 1,558 cc to 1,845 cc and upgraded with a new fuel injection system. It makes a strong 182 horsepower and is paired with a four-speed direct-cut manual transmission sending power to the rear wheels.

Those looking for ultimate driving excitement can opt for the newly developed 2.1-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine. The engine features a billet crankshaft, steel connecting rods, electronic throttle control, new fuel injection and a custom titanium exhaust. It delivers an incredible 296 horsepower, revs up to 10,000 rpm, and weighs less than 85 kg (187 lbs). Working alongside this high-revving engine is a five-speed dogleg transmission.

Boreham Motorworks says the car has a 55:45 weight distribution, with MacPherson struts at the front and an aluminum and titanium floating axle at the rear. There’s also a limited-slip rear differential and shock absorbers at all four corners. Braking is provided by a set of four-piston calipers and 260 mm (10.2 in) discs at the front, while two-piston calipers and 264 mm (10.3 in) discs are at the rear.

Visually, this car does a great job of capturing the essence of the original and bringing it into the modern world. It features LED headlights, wide wheel arches, and rides on custom 15-inch wheels with a classic four-spoke design.

The interior is very basic, but that can only be a good thing in a car like this. The Hyundai Escort RS has a simple carbon fiber dashboard with Alcantara material, analog gauges and air conditioning system. There’s also a three-spoke Alcantara steering wheel, bucket seats, optional four-point harnesses, a roll cage and storage area for a set of racing helmets.

Only 150 will be built, with prices starting at £295,000 (approximately $373,000). All cars come with a 2-year/20,000-mile warranty.