1981 saw the debut of the RS1600i, over its 2 year production run 8000 were built. This was also the first front wheel drive Ford RS to be produced!

Ford needed to build 5000 for current homolgomation rules so that they could then enter the RS1600i for off road rallies.

The RS1600i was based on the then popular 2 door Ford Escort Mark III Saloon and XR3 CVH engine. The RS hence became another hot hatch to add to the Ford stable, which already included the non-fuel injection Fiesta XR2 and Escort XR3. This RS was produced on both RHD (Right Hand Drive) and LHD (Left Hand Drive) configuration.

The interior trim was from the Ford Escort 1.6 Ghia, with the following changes:

Black headlining, deep moulded Rallye Sport front seats and a small diameter thick rimmed steering wheel trimmed in leather.

Both front and rear seats had RS badges inserted into the upholstery.

The exterior bodywork sported unique RS1600i decals on the bonnet, tailgate and down both sides of the vehicle. Aerodynamic spoilers front and rear improved the airflow over the vehicle. The rear spoiler had an upper and lower lip, differing it from the single lip XR3 and later the XR3i.

Available colours where:

• Black
• White
• Red
• Metallic Graphite Grey
• Metallic Blue
• Silver

The engine fitted to the RS1600i was a modified 1600 C.V.H. unit and based on the XR3 CVH engine. This incorporated a special cylinder head, high lift camshaft, adjustable valve rockers with solid lifters, tougher valve springs, fuel injection with deceleration cutoff, large bore exhaust with flexible joint and cast iron 4 into 2 into 1 (4-2-1) branched exhaust manifold. The solid lifters allowed the engine to safely rev higher, and also allowed the valve tolerances to be set to a greater accuracy when compared the XR2 and XR3 of the time which used hydraulic lifters.

The alloy rocker cover also uniquely featured cooling fins, no other RS since has featured these.
Note: Should an RS1600i be used for short journeys only, often this rocker area will remain cool, which can cause a build up of emulsified engine oil and condensation. This will obviously lead to premature cam and follower wear, hence the oil change intervals should be reduced to increase engine life.

The transmission fitted to the RS1600i was a 5 speed and differed from the standard XR3 gearbox by having a closer ratio 5th gear, 3.84:1 final drive and a machined port on the bell housing that accomodated the ignition sensor. The speed sensor was then supported/retained by a plate bolted to the transmission housing.

The RS1600i was equipped with 6J x 15 inch cast aluminium wheels and these were shod with Dunlop D4 195/50 x 15 VR tyres. These alloys were a seven spoke design which were later used on the Escort Mark III RS Turbo Series 1. An aluminium front crossmember provided the mounting for both the tubular anti-roll bar and the adjustable tie rods. The tie rods length could be adjusted to alter the camber and caster angle.

Heavy duty suspension units were fitted to both front and rear. The car was some 23mm lower overall and which was achieved by lowering the springseat on the front, and by reducing the spring length on the rear.

In addition the rear suspension units were adjustable and had a revised angular relationship to the hubs that resulted in an adjustable camber angle from zero degrees to zero degrees -30 minutes. These modifications resulted in a very sharp steering car.

The ignition system fitted to the RS1600i was computerised and not adjustable. The system was digitally controlled and did not use a distributor, like the XR2 and XR3 of the time. During engine development the optimum ignition points over the entire speed, load and temperature ranges were plotted and then mapped onto the ignition Engine Control Unit (ECU) ROM. The ECU on the RS1600i was an early foray into electronic engine management for Ford, and as such it was later discovered that faults on this ECU did occur. The output Zener power diodes feeding the coils are noted for their failure. If you have a fault with your RS1600i ECU first check that all the diodes on the circuit board are working as required. If you are looking to purchase an RS1600i, first check that the original ECU and twin coil packs are still being utilised, since many have not been converted to use a distributor and XR3i engine management.

A speed sensor, load sensor, and temperature sensor then feed signals to the computer and the correct ignition angle for that particular engine speed, load and temperature was calculated.

Unlike the XR3i, the ignition system did not have a distributor, but featured two seperate ignition coils each having two outlets. One coil for cylinders 1 and 4, the other coil for 2 and 3. These were mounted where the camshaft driven distributor resided on the XR3i.

The fuel injection was Bosch K-Jetronic, with fuel saving deceleration fuel shut off valve. The deceleration fuel cut off valve sensed deceleration and shut down the fuel delivery system between pre-set rev limits.

The compression ratio was increased to 9.9:1, which meant the strict use of Four Star leaded fuel only. In 1983 it was not possible to buy unleaded fuel in the UK, but most petrol stations also sold lower octane Two Star petrol.

These well thoughtout engine modifications boosted the power output to a respectable 115 BHP. This was the highest output of any front wheel drive car that Ford had producd and was only improved when the Escort Mark 3 RS Turbo Series 1 came out 1984.

Long range driving lights, fog lights, drivers and passenger remote controlled mirrors and locking petrol cap were all fitted to the RS1600i as standard.

Options included rear seat belts, and a tilt and slide FFSR (Factory Fitted Sun Roof).

Ford retained a front wheel drive RS once the RS1600i was discontinued in the form of the Ford Escort RS Turbo Series I.

FORD RS1600i UK price guide (Sterling)

Condition       Excellent   Good    Average

Sterling          5000      3000     2500

Note: The RS1600i was produced on Y to B-registration plates in the UK.

For further details see Vehicle Registration Plate Guide.

The RS1600i was based on the Ford XR3 and standard Escort Mark III of the time. Further details of which can be found in the Ford Escort 1981 Workshop manual.

Further details specific to the RS1600i can be found in the Ford Technical RS1600i Supplement, January 1983.

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