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Official Press Release Information Below
News Release - Ford Fiesta XR2
A new high performance 1600cc version of Ford's best-selling Fiesta is announced today and will make its public debut at the 1981 Frankfurt Motor Show from 17-27 September.
Designated the Fiesta XR2, the new model will be the fastest production Fiesta yet built by Ford and has a top speed of 105 mph. It has been developed from the already successful Fiesta 1300 S variant and the 1.6-litre model marketed in North America, of which more than 300,000 have been sold. It also incorporates much of the knowledge and experience gained by competitors in the series of races for special 1600cc Fiestas which have been held in Britain during the past two seasons.
This latest version of the Fiesta is the second vehicle to be designed and developed by Ford's Special Vehicle Engineering Department, established to engineer and develop specialist and high-performance derivatives of volume production models. The first product from this team was, of course, the Capri 2.8 Injection model which has already been highly praised throughout Europe.
The Fiesta XR2 is powered by a 1600cc overhead-valve engine developing 83 PS, fitted with electronic breakerless ignition, a high-lift sports camshaft and a Weber twin venturi carburettor.
Transmission is by a four-speed all-synchromesh gearbox and acceleration through the gears from 0-60 mph is less than 10 seconds.
To cater for the increased performance the new model is fitted with special ventilated front-wheel disc brakes and aluminium alloy 13 x 6 in. road wheels with a unique circular slot style. Low profile 185/60 HR steel-braced radial-ply tyres are fitted.
The rear anti-roll bar is increased in diameter and suspension spring rates and damper settings have been altered to give the Fiesta XR2 high standards of handling and roadholding.
Prominent front and rear aerodynamic spoilers and extended wheel-arches are fitted while circular seven-inch diameter headlamps are standard equipment. Deep-section bumpers incorporate direction indicators at the front of the car, and their plastic end-caps provide protection for the sides of the bodywork.
The interior of the car has deeply-contoured, fully-reclining front seats with distinctive cloth upholstery. The floor and the rear package tray are fully carpeted.
The Fiesta XR2 will be in production in October 1981 and will go on sale in Britain towards the end of the year.
ISSUED BY THE PRESS OFFICE - FORD MOTOR COMPANY LIMITED
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