Ford Sierra Sapphire 4-door Polycarbonate Windows

At first glance, the Ford Sierra Sapphire looked like just another family saloon, a practical four-door version of Ford’s well-established Sierra hatchback. But beneath its sensible, business-like exterior lay the DNA of a true performance legend. Introduced in 1987, the Sierra Sapphire retained the key elements of the original Sierra while refining its aerodynamics, handling, and, in certain versions, unleashing some of the most exhilarating performance ever found in a four-door saloon.
The Sierra had already made a name for itself in motorsport, with the three-door Sierra RS Cosworth tearing up touring car championships and proving itself as a rally weapon. However, Ford knew that not everyone wanted a big-winged, three-door homologation special, some people wanted power with a touch of subtlety. Enter the Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth, a four-door version of the Cossie that brought all the speed and aggression of the original but wrapped it in a more understated, everyday-friendly package.
Under the bonnet was the same 2.0L turbocharged Cosworth YBB engine, producing 204 horsepower in early models, with power jumping to 220 horsepower in the later 4x4 version. In a car weighing around 1,250 kg, that meant serious performance. The rear-wheel-drive models were tail-happy monsters, with plenty of power sent to the back wheels, making them an absolute joy for skilled drivers, or a terrifying handful for the unprepared. The later Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth 4x4, introduced in 1990, added a permanent all-wheel-drive system, improving grip and making it even more of a threat on wet or loose surfaces.
The Sapphire Cosworth wasn’t just a road-going rocket, it was a motorsport powerhouse. Ford built a Group A racing version, which saw action in touring car championships and rallying. In the hands of teams like Texaco Eggenberger and Andy Rouse Racing, the Sierra Sapphire dominated circuits across Europe, Australia, and beyond, battling the likes of BMW M3s and Nissan Skylines in some of the most legendary tin-top races of the late 80s and early 90s.
In rallying, the Sierra RS Cosworth 4x4 became an essential stepping stone for Ford’s transition into the Escort Cosworth era. While it didn’t reach the dominance of some AWD rally cars of the time, its balance, turbocharged power, and rugged drivability made it a popular choice in national and privateer rally teams, proving its capability on gravel, tarmac, and snow.
Even beyond the RS Cosworth models, the standard Sierra Sapphire was a brilliant car in its own right. It was comfortable, practical, and well-built, offering a smooth ride and decent performance in its more common 1.8L and 2.0L variants. Whether being used as a company car, family hauler, or weekend racer, it became one of the most popular saloons of its era, earning its place on Britain’s roads in huge numbers.
Today, the Sierra Sapphire, especially the RS Cosworth versions, is an absolute legend. It’s become a sought-after classic, with values skyrocketing as enthusiasts and collectors hunt for original, unmolested examples. The combination of four-door practicality, rear-wheel-drive madness, and turbocharged power makes it one of the most exciting performance saloons ever built, a car that could blend into traffic one minute and leave sports cars in its dust the next.
For those who drove one, the Sapphire Cosworth wasn’t just a car, it was an event. The turbo lag, the boost surge, the feeling of an old-school Ford trying to shake itself loose at the rear, it was a thrill every time you got behind the wheel. Whether in racing livery, rally trim, or a well-kept street sleeper, the Sierra Sapphire remains one of Ford’s greatest achievements, a reminder of a time when family cars could also be absolute monsters.