Ford Sierra

Ford Sierra
Overview
ManufacturerFord Europe
Also calledMerkur XR4Ti (North America, 1985–1989)
Ford Sapphire (sedan, South Africa, 1990–1993)
Production1982–1993
Assembly
DesignerUwe Bahnsen
Bob Lutz
Patrick le Quément
Body and chassis
ClassMid-size car/Large family car (D)
Body style3/5-door liftback
4-door saloon
5-door estate
5-door car derived van
LayoutFront-engine, rear-wheel drive / four-wheel drive
RelatedFord Scorpio
Ford P100
Merkur XR4Ti
Powertrain
Engine
Transmission3-speed automatic
4-speed automatic
4-speed manual
5-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,609 mm (102.7 in)
Length4,531 mm (178.4 in)
Width1,727 mm (68.0 in)
Height1,367 mm (53.8 in)
Chronology
PredecessorFord Cortina Mark V
Ford Taunus TC3
SuccessorFord Mondeo

The Ford Sierra is a mid-size/large family car manufactured and marketed by Ford Europe from 1982–1993, designed by Uwe Bahnsen, Robert Lutz and Patrick le Quément — and noted for its aerodynamic styling producing a drag coefficient of 0.34, a significant improvement over its predecessors.

The Sierra had its debut at the 1982 British International Motor Show in Birmingham,[3] shortly followed by the 1982 Paris Salon de l'Automobile.[4] Sales began on 15 October 1982,[5] replacing the Ford Taunus TC3 (UK: Ford Cortina Mark V). Its aerodynamic styling and the absence of a saloon/sedan configuration was such that many conservative buyers (including company car drivers) did not prefer its design.[3] A saloon/sedan model debuted in 1987 with the introduction of the facelifted Sierra.

Designated internally under the "Project Toni" code name, [3] the nameplate Sierra derived from the Spanish word for mountain range. The car was primarily manufactured in Belgium and the United Kingdom, although Sierras were also assembled in Cork, Ireland,[6] Argentina, Venezuela, South Africa, and New Zealand.

  1. ^ "Facilities | Ford Motor Company Newsroom". Media.ford.com. Archived from the original on 2 September 2010. Retrieved 18 September 2010.
  2. ^ "Highlights of Ford New Zealand". Ford Motor Company Newsroom. Media.ford.com. Archived from the original on 12 July 2013.
  3. ^ a b c Ford Sierra, The Independent, 6 November 2007
  4. ^ Salon de l'auto, Ina.fr, 27 January 2021
  5. ^ "Road test". Retrieved 18 June 2011.
  6. ^ Ford Car Plant to Close 1984, RTÉ Archives