Descrição
South African Ford Sierra
In South Africa, the Sierra range featured both the five-door hatchback and station wagon bodies and production began at the Silverton (Pretoria) plant in January 1983.
The restyled Sierra range differed from its European equivalent by featuring the traditional black grille of the Sierra Sapphire sedan on the hatchback and wagon, though later, the grille would feature on these models in Europe.
The sedan, only introduced in South Africa in the second quarter of 1989 was known simply as the "Ford Sapphire".
Versions sold in South Africa were available with the 1. 6 (Kent) and 2. 0 (Pinto) four-cylinders, 2. 3 V6 (Cologne) or 3. 0-litre V6 (Essex) petrol engines.
While the Cortina MkV in South Africa had retained the old 3. 0 V6 Essex engine, the Sierra was initially given the new 2. 3 V6 Cologne motor, this being fitted to the top of the line model only. However, owing to the low cost of petrol, and the popularity of the old Cortina XR6, a Sierra XR6 was later launched, featuring the old Essex, initially producing 103 kW (138 hp).
Versions were LX, GL and GLX, the Ghia trim level was not available for the South African market except on the Ford Sapphire, the sedan version.
Uniquely, the South African market also saw the introduction of a 5. 0-litre XR8 between June 1984 and 1988. A limited number of 250 Sierras were made for the purposes of homologation, as this model was the premier Ford used in Group A racing.
The XR8 was fitted with the 302 ci engine from the US Ford Mustang, and the Borg Warner T5 heavy duty transmission. Front brakes were AP Racing four-piston calipers on 280 mm discs.
Max power is 209 PS (154 kW) and a top speed of 225 km/ h (140 mph) was claimed.[32] The XR8 is easily recognized by having four cooling slats between the headlights, whereas lesser versions were sold with the original smooth front.
The Sierra was eventually replaced in South Africa by the Telstar in 1993.
