Consolidated the image of functional car, Ford Fiesta wanted to offer a younger and vital public. In the Super Sport he gave priority to aesthetics and the XR2 finally to benefits.

We all know the extraordinary skill that have always proven to have Americans in the management of “marketing” and all about the art of selling “through the eyes”. Ford It not is going to be less and without departing from the script, also applied in Spain. Just one year after the media staging of Party, the factory of Almussafes extended family with the introduction of 1300, adding it to the existing 950 and 1100. The modern aspect, the careful finish and generous roominess that made rivers of ink from the first moment, the Party now introduced a significant increase in performance. To achieve this, resorted to a derivative of the engine Kent who rode the Escort, four cylinders also all the previous ones, as iron, but with the hemispherical head “crossflow” and the block of five crankshaft bearings. In this way and thanks to its briosos 66 CV, 1300 opened the gap with the Seat 127 and actually it stood at the height of the Renault 5 TS. Impetuous youth had at their disposal, finally, a more vital and joyous festival and which could transgress the limits running speed 150 km / h.

He R5 Cup was “big words“A” career-client “worked at the rack level and whose engine of 93 CV 1397 allowed to reach 175 km / h. Possibly Ford You would notice him-and in promotional success Renault reverted to national cups to give the circuit- Party a sportier tone and pitch in 1980 Super Sport. Only a lack of bread, good are (were) cakes, and the absence of a higher carat mechanics (the truth is that available from the Escort, for example), he threw hand engine 1300 and pulled off a model at all flashy. Because, really, it was but said 1300 S in wolf’s clothing. The revitalized the image is provided, the end of the day, a team of wheels so huge as -compound challenged by wheels 13 x 6 inches and tires 185 / 60-, two supplementary lights reaching a colorful game skirt, plastic spoiler and wheel arches and a decorative side adhesive strips. No doubt: the Super Sport came in through the eyes. In practice, the baggy tires contributed an extra dose of grip, but at the cost of sacrificing the one hand, consumption and performance, on the other hand, comfort, due to its lowered profile. Instead, under the hood it is concealed the 1,298 cc 66 hp mondo and lirondo and why the press did not fail to consider (sic) a ‘commercial bluff“.

Although belated, response Ford the mythologized R5 Cup It was not until the end of 1981. The new XR2 itself was a real quantum leap. In addition to sporty appearance, had a 83 hp engine in 1600-the same of Escort XR3– and a rib according to their image. Weighing just 800 kg, was able to scratch the Super Sport three seconds on the test acceleration from 0 to 1,000 meters and get an advantage of almost 20 km / h at maximum speed. He Super Sport He stopped the clock at kilometer 35 “1/10 and XR2, 32” 7/10. And when running, the first reached 148.4 km / h and the second 166.7.

To check today, either together: the Super Sport Red Gonzalo and XR2 Jorge’s. These two enthusiastic Asturians maintain their vehicles in a state of enviable performance and, in fact, often involved in testing them regularly. Although Jorge has the heart “partío” between it and an atomic Escort Mk1 ready to compete in speed, waiting to finish among him and his brutal father and a faithful replica ofParty Group 2 Ari Vatanen.

But we did not go through the hills of Ubeda. Centrémonos. Felix’s photographs make clear similarities and differences. In the first case, the two exhibit the unmistakable sporty which gives them the package comprises skirt, spoiler, wheel arches, auxiliary headlights and corresponding decorations at the sides. As for the XR2, Ford also he modified the front, replacing the optics by rounded square, image and likeness of thrivingVolkswagen Golf. And continuing the play of differences, also distinguish the design of the wheels (alloy in both cases): four arms of the Super Sport peppered with holes and those of XR2. Little more.

Within maintain a similar style: comfortable sports seats and good lateral support, fair and clear instrumentation and a specific two-spoke steering wheel in the XR2, while the Super Sport preserves of H horizontal type arm common to the entire range.

Now if in both the facade leaves no doubt of its claims when the truth is the XR2 the one that corresponds to its more athletic looks. Their 17 additional CV report increased vividness driving. Without being excessively pointed motor itself it is quite elastic and speed increases without laziness, especially in the three lower ratios. Imperceptible such superiority that have a few developments change longer than those of Super Sport. In this sense, the two have a slight gap between second and third to be reflected in mountain tours and tight corners linked, having to calculate very well when we move from one to another to prevent the engine is too come down . Lucky-nately, the change is fast and tours of the short, precise lever.

The terms of 1300 engine, It responds well from below and is smooth, and we mentioned it. But in the Super Sport is not surprising as expected. And it does because it looks like a giant with feet of clay (or rubber). The baggy tires subtracted desirable that point vigor. It is the toll to pay so aggressive aesthetics and excessive footprint of 185 mm. While it is true that you provide a grip that makes you go literally stuck to the road like glue. With such a grip and smooth as everything goes well and dry- -floor can be rolled very fast with both, each in context of performance.

The frame holds the type. With little drift tires and a suspension of little route, just balance, and direction, despite everything, is moderately light in both. In any case, comply with either paragraph of stability and lose in comfort, having drier reactions. In tourist traffic, however, they are noble, are well guided and stick to the path as a tiralíneas.

Behavior changes or slippery slope gradient. Then they become nervous, somewhat vague and bring out the expected understeer own character of the front wheel drive. A little wheels are losing contact with the ground, the front gives impression of floating and lost driving refinement and cleanliness. With regard to the brakes, the combination of wide tires and discs on the front wheels meets the minimum required. Braking is balanced, but not powerful. He Party He never excelled in this chapter, and that the two series equipped with Brake Assist (not lower versions). He XR2, also mounted ventilated discs of larger diameter (240 mm instead of 221).

Yet and thus the Super Sport and the XR2 Sea-caron a trend. His provocative image was the dream of many young people. Wheel “racing“Auxiliary lights, spoilers … They were not spectacularly fast but fun, easy to drive and with a touch of nerve that corresponded with his lighthearted image toys.
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