The Sierra XR4i is a Forgotten Fast Ford

At its launch in 1982, the radically styled Ford Sierra replaced the Taunus-Cortina, bringing shock and awe to the British buying public. In its early life, it appeared to be sales-challenged, yet it grew not only into a long-living and highly successful family saloon, but also a motorsport legend.

Would you like your car to be in a video?
If so, contact me via the links below!

[roberttaylor]

Usual thorough research, superb scripting, professional delivery and imaginative filming. Another Ed motoring tour de force. Thank you. Rob

[map]

As a young 15 year old in Tasmania, buying a car magazine from the other side of the world called "Car" in 1982 with the XR4i on the cover, and the accompanying article and photos, was life changing. I still have that magazine today. This car design was incredibly radical and futuristic, it is easy to forget (today) how influential this Ford was. Part of the reason I own a modest fast Ford today, a mark III Focus ST, and enjoy it's design and performance.

[samrobinson]

My Dad's workmate had an XR4i, and Dad had a white XR4x4i. When he first got it, I remember him saying, as we approached a roundabout at pace, that his friend had told him "you don't have to slow down for roundabouts in a four by four".

After a quick left/right/left of the wheel, to the cries of my mother and sister, and my gleeful laughter as we flew about the cabin, he declared, "he's right! You don't!".

Happy memories 😂

[mattbaker]

I remember when my Dad brought his brand new A reg Sierra GL home in 1982. It was so different to his previous car which was a V Reg Morris Marina. For a start it looked like a space ship. The seats were velour instead of the horrible plastic seating that out legs used to stick to and that would burn your skin off in the summer. Then there was the central locking. We found it amazing that all the doors locked when my dad locked the drivers door. It blew our 9 and 7 year old minds. Dad went on to have 3 Sierras. The A reg one in bright red, a D reg one in Burgundy and then my favourite one the G reg Sierra Sapphire. That Sapphire was the first car I drove solo after passing my driving test and if I had 40k spare I’d buy one tomorrow!

[JP-]

An early Saturday morning upload from Edd, brilliant way to start the weekend.

[mzungusi]

My Dad was forced to give up Alfas by his 2 teenage sons need for legroom and the XR4i was the answer. He had it lowered onto Koni shocks because he didn't like the floatiness that you describe. The 4i gave way to a 4x4, then 2 Cossies. He LOVED the Cossies. It was a personal tragedy for him when he had to sell the last one to make way for a BMW. An 'Old Mans Car'. Thanks for the trip down memory lane. I learned to drive in the XR4i and I have never driven a car faster.

[sgtgrash]

My brother-in-law owned one of these for a couple of years back in the early noughties. I drove it on several occasions and I absolutely adored the thing. It handled well, and that V6 engine coupled to a sports exhaust sounded fabulous, but it wasn't all sunshine and roses.

His had a very odd issue in as much as it would randomly dump the entirety of its coolant all over the road when running, which was fun. He had several garages and mechanic minded friends attempt to diagnose the issue, however they never did get to the bottom of it. It was one of those problems that didn't happen often, but it was often enough to be a total pain in the backside. He quickly learned to carry spare coolant in the boot, but inevitably he grew tired of the issue and sold the car on...

[philtucker]

As a dedicated performance Ford fan since the early seventies that still continues to this day my wife and I had all of the Sierra models( except Cosworth) over the years including the estate versions and 4x4 models. Absolutely loved them. Great cars! Thanks Ed, brilliant episode as usual!

[robertwilson]

I imported a Sierra from Germany in 1986 and loved it! Lightweight, fuel and space efficient, a ball to drive.

[philipwilliams]

Absolutely brilliant mate ! Brings back so many memories for me. Your production and research as well as presentation are top draw. Please keep up your amazing work….

[antonywalker]

This is a trip down memory lane. Back in 83 (I was 22 at the time) I was a car cleaner/driver for Fords (Greys Guildford) I remember my boss telling me to take an old Austin 1100 into the depot and picking up the new XR/4 I a week before the launch. I really wasn't 100% sure what he was talking about. Well the smile on my Happy days. Good video that stirred up old memories.👍

[alanpayn]

Excellent video! I’ve said before you are an amazing presenter!

[TheLincolnshireFlyer]

Had a 1989 hatchback Sierra in my youth. Lived the car. Always aspired for the Cossy. Enjoyed the video. appreciate you posting. keep them coming 😊

[TheProfessional]

Great video, with very good presentation and you’ve done your research 👍

[mikep]

The flake, twirl analogy is spot on. I totally get it.

[alexhiggins]

My old man had a F reg 2L GLSi back in the day. Brilliant engine and decent fast too.

[Carl-xyc]

Hi 👋 im viewing from New Zealand. This sporty Ford Sierra was never released on our car market back in the 1980s / 90s. We only assembled the Sierra Estate. We didn't have the saloon either. I worked for a company doing microfilming then, and the companies representatives drove Ford Sierra estates.

[grayfool]

What turned me off the Sierra was driving one. You looked at the body and expected something special when you fired it up. When you did, it was very dull. They soon felt loose and floppy after a couple of years too. Good stuff Ed. You pretty much nailed it.

[davosc]

Another fantastic presentation and description of a to watch as always

[andrewfitzmaurice]

A wonderful reminder of my first car, sadly not a V6 or an XR4i, but a light blue 1982 1.6 Ghia (DKP212Y), sadly stolen in 1996 never to be seen again.