Boreham Motorworks Reveal New Continumod™ Ford Escort Mk1 RS

As an official brand license partner of the Ford Motor Company, Boreham Motorworks is dedicated to preserving and enhancing the legacy of some of Ford’s most iconic vehicles. This is the ultimate evolution of the Mk1 and its RS lineage, a machine crafted for driving enthusiasts. The Escort Rallye Sport line developed a reputation for exceptional performance and handling, setting a new benchmark for what it means to drive a high-performance car. With each new RS variant, Ford refined the formula, pushing the boundaries of what could be achieved on road, track and rally stage. Boreham Motorworks proudly honours this legacy, blending modern advancements with the raw driving experience that made the RS Escorts performance icons.

Taking that DNA and infusing it with modern technology, state of the art materials and bespoke engineering, Boreham Motorworks proudly introduces a groundbreaking new segment – the Continumod™. Unlike traditional restomods, a Continumod™ requires no donor vehicle. It is forged from an official brand agreement with Ford Motor Company and built from the ground up using modern materials and advanced manufacturing techniques.

A Performance Benchmark from Past to Present

Customers can select from two characterful engine options, each embodying the spirit of the Ford RS legacy while delivering modern performance. The first engine option, available as standard, is the iconic Twin Cam, which has been increased to 1845cc. Featuring fuel injection delivering 185PS, this engine is paired with a 4 speed manual “Ford bullet” synchromesh straight cut transmission, it pays perfect tribute to the Boreham built Escort Mk1 Twin Cam, combining its storied history with precise, responsive performance for today’s roads.

For those seeking the option of something engineered as a modern-day interpretation of classic Ford motorsport DNA, an all-new motorsport derived 4-cylinder high-revving Ford engine awaits. This road-tuned 2.1-litre cast and billet engine weighing in at under 85kg features double overhead camshaft and chain cam drive and produces an astonishing 10,000 RPM and 300 PS. To handle this extreme performance the engine benefits from forged steel conrods and billet crankshaft. A motorsport spec loom and connectors are used to connect coil over plug ignition, advanced fuel injection and ECU management is included along with electronic throttle control. This powerhouse will deliver thrilling performance while retaining usability.

Connected to this 10,000 RPM powerhouse will be a bespoke titanium exhaust system that has been tuned for performance and exhilarating sound. Power is channelled through a 5-speed dogleg gearbox delivering perfect weight and throw complimented with bespoke gear ratios. This ensures seamless and direct engagement, making this drivetrain as exhilarating on the open road as it is on the track.

Mastering the Road with Dynamic Ride and Handling

At the heart of the new Ford Escort Mk1 RS lies an uncompromising focus on dynamic precision, a hallmark of its RS heritage. The car is available in both LHD and RHD and features optimised weight distribution of 55:45with MacPherson front struts, providing responsive steering and front-end grip. Including suspension geometry that has been optimised within the existing hardpoint envelope, for enhanced performance.

Preserving the authentic, analogue driving experience of the original high-performance Escorts, the new RS features an all-new lightweight, aluminium and titanium fully floating rear axle, offering predictable handling and a direct connection to the Escort’s motorsport heritage. This is paired with an advanced limited-slip ATB differential and coil-over dampers to enhance balance and stability, engineered for exceptional control under power.

Equally important to the pure distilled driving pleasure of the Ford MK1 Escort RS, are the features it does not have. No power steering, no ABS, no traction control and no brake servo. In combination, this delivers a new RS with a singular focus, connecting the driver to the road. On track, the new Ford Escort Mk1 RS delivers a visceral driving experience with controllable oversteer that is perfectly balanced, allowing the driver to breakaway and hold slides while ensuring the car is both controllable and predictable.

The bespoke 15″ x 7″ four-spoke wheels, paired with 205/50×15 tyres at the front and 15″ x 8″ wheels with 225/50×15 tyres at the rear, pay homage to the styling of the original Mk1 Escort while enhancing modern performance. Stopping power is provided by 260mm x 25mm vented discs with four-piston callipers at the front and 264mm x 11mm solid discs with two-piston callipers at the rear, ensuring exceptional braking performance.

Engineered for Peak Analogue® Performance

Through an extensive engineering programme, including the use of laser scanning and original blueprints, the Ford Escort Mk1 has been fully re-engineered in CAD, the first Ford Escort Mk1 to ever be put through such a process using technology the original pencil draughtsmen would not have considered possible. Boreham Motorworks have designed new manufacturing jigs and fixtures for body assembly, ensuring the manufacturability of gap and flush are built to modern tolerances not possible when the car was first manufactured. This has enabled the engineering team to develop a new RS body with blueprint-accurate and period-sympathetic size, shape and dimensions, built to the finish and quality expected of a modern OEM.

Additionally, through the use of CAE analysis, to perform body efficiency, chassis dynamics and tortional rigidity studies the Boreham team have established precise parameters and attributes the new Ford Escort Mk1 RS must deliver. Through this programme, the team have identified various areas on the car where structural improvements can been made. Using these insights, Boreham crafted meticulously designed enhancements to optimise the car’s real-world handling and driving dynamics, performance, usability and drivability, ensuring the new Ford Escort Mk1 RS stays true to its legendary performance roots.

The modern-day engineering analysis programme means the Ford Escort Mk1 RS all-steel body is reinforced with additional bracing, wider inner arches, and vertical rear dampers. The key to a Peak Analogue® experience is the engineering focus on an 800kg weight target. Lightweighting is fundamental to the design with the bonnet, boot lid and, all interior substrates being made from carbon fibre and the use of the lightweight materials within the rear-axel and the optional forged magnesium wheels.

Moving to the cockpit of the new Ford Escort Mk1 RS, Boreham have designed a modern, driver-focused interior that balances lightweighting and driver comfort. Modern functionality is woven seamlessly into the interior, including heated screens and air conditioning with four vents for better climate control, including a dedicated screen demist function. Every component in the interior is engineered to the highest standards of craftmanship with a blend of Alcantara, fine leathers, and anodised components with tactile feedback. Three-point inertia reel belts are included as standard, with an optional four-point harness and visual carbon rear compartment race helmet stowage. A full roll cage with removable door bars enhances stiffness, maintaining the vehicle’s integrity while ensuring the performance ethos remains uncompromised.

Design Simplicity with Purpose

Wayne Burgess, Design Director, brings a deep, personal connection to the Ford Escort project, his first car being a Mk2 Escort. His vision for the new Ford Escort Mk1 RS is shaped by both his personal experience and a love for the model’s iconic heritage, performance and design.

Exterior Design – The philosophy driving the exterior design is one of purity — a celebration of simplicity and form, stripping away any unnecessary ornamentation to leave only what is essential. Key to this is the removal of the quarter bumpers and main direction indicators, offering a sleeker and more purposeful silhouette. A billet-machined aluminium grille surround introduces a touch of modern craftsmanship, while the headlights are inspired by the classic lights often taped over during racing — a distinctive feature that evokes the motorsport roots of the Escort.

The taillights echo this ethos, a simple and fundamental shape updated with modern technology to ensure superior performance and visibility while retaining the iconic look. Each design choice is made with purpose: the new door handles, mirrors, and billet components add an element of refined elegance without overshadowing the purity of the overall design. The wheels are kept compact, staying true to the fundamentals of the original Mk1, yet are paired with modern performance capabilities to ensure the car drives as well as it looks.

Interior Design – The interior of the Ford Escort Mk1 RS continues the theme of simplicity, with a modern approach to functionality and driver-focused design. The interior delivers both comfort and performance in equal measure, blending vintage style with modern-day practicality.

A key feature of the interior is the low, horizontal dashboard that provides a sense of space and openness, while the compact binnacle sits neatly within the steering wheel to ensure a clear, unobstructed view of the road. The deep-dish, three-spoke steering wheel with a slim rim is both functional and aesthetically pleasing, offering a direct, tactile connection between driver and machine. The instrument panel retains its analogue appeal, yet has been adapted to meet contemporary standards, ensuring the driver enjoys both classic style and modern convenience.

Wayne Burgess, Design Director notes ” From the very beginning, our goal was to honour the simplicity and purity of the original design; while ensuring it met the expectations of a modern performance car. Every detail, from the minimalism of the exterior to the thoughtful functionality inside, is about distilling the essence of what made the Mk1 so special. It’s about creating a car that not only looks back at its heritage but also drives forward into a new era of Peak Analogue® performance.”

Public Debut

Limited to 150 cars, pricing starts from £295,000. A 2-year 20,000-mile warranty will also ensure customers get out and drive with confidence. The public and press will get their first chance to see the car in the summer of 2025, ahead of production starting in Q3, the same year.

Iain Muir, CEO of Boreham Motorworks comments, “Recreating the Ford Escort Mk1 RS for a new generation is not just about building a car; it’s about honouring a legacy that has inspired driving enthusiasts for over half a century. At Boreham Motorworks, we’ve committed ourselves to not only staying true to the essence of the original, but also to bringing it into the modern age with cutting-edge engineering, precision design, and unparalleled craftsmanship. Our team has worked tirelessly to ensure that every aspect of this car, from its dynamics to its structure, is meticulously engineered to deliver the purest driving experience possible. This is an embodiment of what Boreham stands for – a seamless blend of heritage and innovation. We’re proud to bring the Escort Mk1 RS back to life and thrilled for the driving enthusiasts who will experience its iconic performance. We look forward to showing the car to the public and Ford enthusiasts alike in the summer.”