Incredible 80s style! Ford Sierra XR4i tested

At last! I've admired these cars since I was a child and finally, I got to drive one! The Ford Sierra XR4i uses the 2.8 Cologne V6 to produce a thrilling soundtrack and strong performance for its day. Huge thanks to Tony for letting me take his car out. #ford #retro #80s

Music is Muriel by Bobby Richardson

[TORA]

Thanks to @HubNut for the honest review.
Car was owned by FMC for 6 months, then sold by Strath ford, Dumbarton, Ford Main Dealer to a company in Glasgow who had it for around 12 months before I part exchanged my XR3 for it.

[TofersCarTales]

It's amazing how well the styling has held up. Gorgeous car, particularly in that color!

[DeGlennen]

Out of all Sierra's, the XR4i is the one I prefer the most. Combination of the big lights mk1 front end and the rear quarter styling with the split windows make it the best looking Sierra in the line-up. Nice and sporty looking as well. The rear glass of a standard 3-door car was absolutely massive in comparison. .
An XR4i would fit nicely on the drive next to my Escort XR3.

[kevincross]

Biggest mistake I ever made selling mine, in silver A390UGC.
Will forever regret that. Bought mine after a friend got a white one.
So much fun to drive.

[Tagora]

Wow!!! My father had a Caspian Blue XR4i when I was 15 in 85, and I loved it. It felt so special at the time and quite outrageous. I'd have one any day!

[howardsportugal]

My cousin had an XR4i 4x4 estate (French spec) and what a car it dad & John Welch alongside the massive input of Martin Schanche gave birth to the Sierra Cosworths - all of this was a jellymould Cortina! Firsf car I drifted was an Opel Ascona, then a 1934 Bentley.

[williamgreer]

Everything about this car is so cool. Two tone paint, red pinstripe, split rear window, double spoiler... just awesome.

[stu-nlhd]

Them lights on the screen for the brakes is a check light, once you press the brake they go out if there working. This brings back Lots of memories of my dad's ghia 2.0 auto. Thanks

[treacadelic]

The car my dad had when I turned 17 and the one I used to drive to school in the 6th form. White, A619RDM. Glorious chunk of metal. I want one again!!!

[steve]

Awesome review. Always been a fan of the Ford XR's. Owned 6/7 XR3/3i's in the past and 1 XR4i.
I remember seeing a white one about locally and always wanted to own it. However, I ended up buying a black one many years later. But one day whilst out and about I saw the white one on the road side and it was for sale. I stopped and had a look round it and it was a real sorry state. Basically a scrapyard short of a crusher car.
Anyway, I wanted a few bits for mine so made the guy and offer to take it away for him. We agreed on £140. I thought I had a bargain as the bits I wanted would of cost more from scrap yard and the rest I would sell on for profit.
But the best bit was the interior. Full Cosworth leather. Front and rear plus an RS three spoke steering wheel.
Needless to say they soon found their way into my car along with a genuine Cosworth dash and upgraded suspension brakes and wheels.
Not long followed a turbo conversion and stainless steel exhaust.
Beautiful car and a real head turner. 
Would love to own another.

[conesuela]

They just looked so outrageous when they were launched. A twin spoiler! It was just crazy!

[pqsaservices]

My Dad had a 'B' Reg 2.0 Ghia, as his last company car, after a string of Cortina's, all 2.0 Ghias. I always thought it was so
One issue he did have was that the ride was too soft, it gave my Mum car sickness! He ended up having stiffer shocks fitted which solved that 'problem'. I still love the look of the interior, especially the dashboard. It seemed so futuristic in 1984!
Thanks HubNut for bringing back some lovely memories.
Jonathan.

[baggierols]

90s Ravers's car. My mate had a black A-reg with a Cossie wing, that replaced the double-decker. Used to go to early 90s raves in it 👍

[JonnyGearjammer]

That brought back some good memories Ian. The chap who owned the chippy in our village bought a brand new early XR4i, which I'm certain was on a Y plate. In silver, with pepper pot alloys, it looked & sounded ace. As young kids, we'd be eating chips in the bus stop opposite of an evening & it was always a treat to see him roar off in it.

[davidbowie]

I loved the styling of the Sierra, also known as the jelly mould. Once everyone took to it, all cars looked like it. The XR4i looked menacing on the road. That huge rear spoiler and 2 doors, you knew it meant the business.

[Farney-gyqo]

Wow! 40 years old! I can't imagine our 2020 cars lasting that long.

[mathewmullen]

Great to see I've owned 3 4i's, love them. 2 in white 1 gun metal grey.Sold my last 1 for £200 20 years ago😂

[FourIntoOne]

I was a young Ford mechanic back when these (and the Sierra range generally) were newly released. Worked on a fair few of em....happy days nice and simple compared to today

[TheHitmann]

My third car was a 'J' reg Sierra XR4x4. Did 138, 000 miles in it. Fantastic, versatile car in its time. Thanks for sharing. ❤

[alexwade]

Did you know that all of the Sierra hatchbacks were originally intended to have the whacky dual wing spoiler? Apparently, that’s how it was developed in the wind tunnel but the marketing folks baulked at the appearance and bean counters the cost, so it was deleted from the majority of the range. The result was a car at launch with horrendous cross wind instability at motorway speed. Apparently the smooth airflow coming from the rear of the car would blow around and take the car with it, much like a balloon on the end of a stick. Within a year they’d developed a fix. Some little ‘bats ears’ that fitted behind the rear edge of the rearmost windows. The stuck out about an inch and broke up the airflow a bit to stabilise things. Look out for the ‘bats ears’ next time you see one.