A LEGENDARY fast Ford is set to be reborn with an ultra-lightweight bodywork and a famous engine from long-forgotten brand.
The one-off motor will pay a special homage to one of the Blue Oval’s most famous machines – some 40-odd years since it last graced UK showrooms.
The iconic Sierra Cosworth RS500 is being reimagined by a team of British engineers, who plan to design and build a modern, lightweight supercar version of the iconic fast Ford.
The project, codenamed ‘Vision 148,’ will transform the original RS500, specifically unit number 148 of the 500 produced, into a carbon-fiber-bodied car with a custom engine designed by Cosworth.
Nicknamed the ‘Carbon Piranha’, this new version will weigh less than 1000kg, significantly lighter than the original.
The powertrain details are still under wraps, but it’s expected to offer much more power and torque than the original engine.
The Sierra Cosworth RS500 was a high-performance version of the Ford Sierra, a family saloon made by Ford in the 1980s.
The RS500 was developed for racing, especially for touring car championships.
It featured a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine, as well as upgraded suspension and aerodynamic improvements.
Only 500 of these special souped-up motors were made, and now makes it a rare and highly sought-after collector’s car today.
The Carbon Piranha project is funded through a subscription program by the Autovision Club, which gives members exclusive access to the build process.
No completion date or performance specs have been announced yet.
Ian Howe, the founder of Vision148, said: “Our viewpoint is to give fans the chance to see the RS500 differently, with a modern eye.
“Even those who weren’t born when the original car was produced but have a connection with cars and modern ideas.”
Last year, a Sierra Cosworth RS500 went up for sale at a car auction with a six-figure guide price.
And a Ford Focus RS that’s been kept in storage for a number of years is heading to auction – with just 16 miles on the clock.
