Ford’s iconic Escort RS nameplate is back—but not as a restomod, not as a nostalgia-fueled tribute, and certainly not as a mild-hybrid crossover pretending to be something it’s not. No, the new Escort RS from Boreham Motorworks is an all-new car, approved by Ford itself, that channels the raw motorsport DNA of the 1970s rally hero and injects it with 21st-century engineering insanity.
At its heart is a 325bhp four-cylinder engine that revs to an astonishing 10,000rpm—and weighs a featherlight 85kg. Appropriately, it’s called the Ten-K, a name that encapsulates both its sky-high redline and its unashamed race-car attitude.
A Modern Echo of the BDA
The Ten-K was developed in Coventry, the spiritual home of Britain’s greatest engines, and it pays deliberate homage to the Cosworth BDA that powered the original Escort RS1600. Like that legendary unit, it’s a belt-driven, four-valve-per-cylinder engine—but this one’s been reimagined for modern performance. Displacement grows from 1.6 to 2.1 litres, and every internal component tells a story of cutting-edge design.
The crankshaft, connecting rods, subframe, dry sump, and cam cover are all machined from billet steel, while the cylinder head, inspired by Formula 1 powertrains, promises optimal intake and exhaust flow. Even the engine block benefits from 3D-printed castings, allowing thinner walls and thus lower mass without sacrificing rigidity.
Add individual throttle bodies, and the Ten-K delivers that raw, snarling induction note that made rally Escorts of old sound like miniature touring cars on amphetamines.
From the People Who Know How to Make Fords Sing
The Ten-K project was helmed by two former Ford heavyweights: Simon Goodliff, once the company’s chief engineer, and Laine Martin, former manager of engine calibration and control systems. In other words, these are people who know what makes a Ford engine tick—literally.
Their goal wasn’t nostalgia for nostalgia’s sake, but performance purity. Goodliff calls it “a driver’s engine, built for response, not restraint.” Judging by the numbers—and that manic redline—it’s clear the Ten-K was designed to make modern turbo fours look tame.
Two Flavors of Boreham Fury
Buyers will have two engines to choose from when they spec their Escort RS. Alongside the Ten-K, Boreham will offer an upsized, modernized version of the original Cosworth powerplant, tuned to deliver 182bhp—a nod to those who prefer classic flavor over rev-hungry ferocity.
But make no mistake: it’s the Ten-K that headlines this comeback. It’s a mechanical symphony that bridges five decades of motorsport heritage with aerospace-grade engineering.
An RS Built, Not Rebuilt
Perhaps the most remarkable part of this story is that the new Escort RS isn’t a restomod. It’s a ground-up, all-new car, built with Ford’s official blessing—something few boutique projects can claim. Production will be limited to just 150 cars, each hand-assembled and priced from £295,000.
That’s supercar money for what started life as a humble family hatch. But for those who understand the Escort’s rally-bred legacy, this isn’t a revival—it’s a resurrection.
Why It Matters
In an era when performance cars are increasingly electrified, sanitized, and silenced, Boreham Motorworks’ Escort RS stands defiantly apart. It’s a machine that doesn’t care about range anxiety or EU noise limits—it cares about revs, response, and soul.
With its 10,000rpm howl and featherweight engineering, the Ten-K Escort RS is more than just a rebirth—it’s a reminder that the heart of performance driving still beats loudest when powered by pistons, cams, and courage.
Source: Boreham Motorworks
