The Ford Escort has officially returned, and unlike the rest of the reborn Blue Oval nameplate, it’s not an electric SUV.
Earlier this month, Ford’s “official licensing partner” Boreham Motorworks launched the Escort Mk1 RS, marking the first use of the nameplate in more than two decades.
According to Boreham Motorworks, its Escort Mk1 RS is neither a continuation nor a restoration, but rather claims to be a Continumod and is endorsed by Ford.
While other companies have been able to recreate the Corvette using period-correct bodyshells, they haven’t been able to use the name yet. This was the case with MST, who built the Mk1 and Mk2 based on corresponding generations of the Escort.
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“(Continumod:) An accurately blueprinted, period-correct brand new vehicle – no donor vehicle, just a true continuation, with original manufacturer-approved chassis number,“Boreham said in a media release.
“The Continumod combines the timeless spirit of classic automobiles with modern engineering, design and advanced manufacturing to redefine tradition with cutting-edge innovation.”
Only 150 will be built from the third quarter of 2025 (July to September), with prices starting at a whopping £295,000 (AU$593,185).
Based on the first-generation Ford Escort RS1600, the Boreham remains largely faithful to the 1960s model’s exterior design, albeit with modern touches such as LED headlights (which appear to be covered with duct tape, similar to race cars of the time). and LED taillights.
Like all Escort RSs, the Boreham Continumod features flared wheel arches with bespoke 15-inch wheels beneath them, also inspired by class racers. The front brakes include four-piston calipers and ventilated discs, while the rear brakes have two-pot calipers and solid discs.
Internally, the Mk1 Escort’s design remains largely unchanged, with six instruments in front of the driver – unique to the top-spec RS1600.
The dashboard, steering wheel rim, seats and door cards are all upholstered in Alcantara, giving it a modern feel, while the small screen displays Apple CarPlay functionality.
Buyers can choose between two engines. The first is a 1.8-liter engine simply called the Twin Cam, but it’s unclear whether it has any relation to the Lotus-developed Kent engine that originally powered the RS1600.
The fuel injection system had an output of 136kW, some 30kW more than the most powerful Lotus Twin Cams at the time.
The engine is exclusively paired with a four-speed manual gearbox and can rev up to 9,000rpm.
A second custom engine is also available, displacing 2.1 liters and equipped with an electronic throttle. It produces up to 221kW of power at 10,000rpm and is mated to a five-speed “dogleg” manual gearbox, with first gear in the usual position of second gear.
Boreham says it is targeting a curb weight of just 800kg, which would give the Escort RS a power-to-weight ratio of 276kW/tonne.
Can be ordered in right- and left-hand drive, it has MacPherson struts at the front and a floating rear axle at the rear, made from lightweight aluminum. Fully adjustable shock absorber function.
Boreham claims its weight distribution is 55% in the front and 45% in the rear.
The vehicle is covered by a two-year, 20,000-mile (32,190 km) warranty.
Its debut comes shortly after Ford brought the Capri back to Europe for the first time since 1986, but instead of returning as a coupe like the previous three generations, it’s now a Volkswagen-based electric SUV.
Boreham Motorworks will also soon be returning the Ford RS200 – a mid-engine, all-wheel drive monster originally built for rally racing – and recently announced famed Ford racing team Alan Mann Racing as its performance division.
More: The 2025 Ford Capri is a Volkswagen electric SUV with a new look, not a reinvented coupe
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