The development of the Ford Escort RS Cosworth WRC was a collaborative effort between Ford and Cosworth Engineering, a company renowned for its high-performance engines. The project aimed to create a car that could compete at the highest levels of rally racing and succeed the Sierra RS Cosworth, which had enjoyed considerable success in the late 1980s. Introduced in 1992, the Escort RS Cosworth was based on the fifth-generation Ford Escort but shared little with its road-going counterpart. Its design and engineering were heavily influenced by the demands of rally racing, resulting in a car that was purpose-built for competition.

One of the most distinctive features of the Escort RS Cosworth WRC is its aggressive aerodynamic package. The car’s wide body, large rear wing, and prominent front splitter were designed to maximize downforce and improve handling at high speeds. The rear wing, in particular, became an iconic element, often referred to as the “whale tail.” Under the hood, the Escort RS Cosworth WRC was powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four engine developed by Cosworth. This engine, known as the YBT, produced around 227 horsepower in road-going form but was capable of much higher outputs in competition trim. The engine’s robust construction and advanced turbocharging technology made it highly competitive in rallying.