Revealed in rendered form in 2024, the Escort RS ‘continumod’ is far more ambitious than the average restomod. In fact, Boreham would probably prefer you didn’t call it one at all. That’s because the Escort RS isn’t rebuilt from an original donor car. It’s a brand new car created with Ford’s blessing.
Coventry, UK – 9th June 2026 — Boreham Motorworks today unveils the first production representative prototype Ford Escort Mk1 RS to the public at London Concours 2026, marking a major milestone in the development of one of the most focused lightweight performance cars of the modern era.
First announced at the end of 2024, the Boreham Motorworks Ford Escort Mk1 RS programme now enters a new phase — one defined by engineering delivery and dynamic validation. Behind the scenes, the development programme has progressed significantly, with a test vehicle actively undergoing rolling road, dyno and dynamic testing at facilities across the UK.
At the centre of the programme is a simple but uncompromising formula: a target weight of 895kg, combined with the achievement of 330PS and a confirmed 10,000rpm capability. Together, these attributes define the character of the Ford Escort Mk1 RS — a naturally aspirated, rear-wheel-drive driver’s car engineered to deliver immediate response, exceptional agility and genuine driver connection.
The public debut at London Concours represents the first opportunity to see the first brand-new road-going Ford Escort Mk1 in more than 50 years presented in production representative form, showcasing the design, engineering philosophy and mechanical purity that define Boreham Motorworks’ reinterpretation of the RS lineage.
Unlike traditional restorations or restomods, the Ford Escort Mk1 RS continumod has been engineered and manufactured as an entirely brand-new vehicle from the ground up. Developed through an official licence agreement with Ford Motor Company, every major system, structure and component has been re-engineered using modern materials, advanced manufacturing techniques and contemporary engineering analysis, creating a true continuation of the Escort RS lineage built to modern standards of quality, performance and durability.
Exterior highlights include an all-new steel body engineered specifically to accommodate the bespoke Boreham TEN-K powertrain, modern interior architecture and advanced vehicle systems, while significantly improving structural stiffness and dynamic capability through extensive CAE-led development. Lightweight carbon-fibre bonnet and boot panels contribute to overall mass reduction, while bespoke headlights and tail lamps combine modern LED performance with a period-inspired visual identity. Premium brightware components manufactured from precision-finished materials further elevate both quality and durability.
Inside, the Ford Escort Mk1 RS features an entirely new lightweight carbon-fibre interior environment centred around analogue driver engagement and modern usability. Bespoke seat and steering wheel designs are fully configurable to customer preference, alongside a wide selection of premium materials and finishes throughout the cabin. Mechanical window and door latch systems have been engineered for exceptional tactile quality and operation, while bespoke analogue instrumentation includes dedicated displays for speed, engine speed, oil pressure, water temperature, fuel level and battery charge. Modern comfort and usability are integrated through a fully developed electric heating, cooling and ventilation system, illuminated premium switchgear and a lightweight body stiffening frame manufactured using premium materials to enhance both rigidity and occupant environment.
TURNING IT UP TO TEN-K — DELIVERING ON THE ORIGINAL VISION
Since the original announcement, development of the Ford Escort Mk1 RS has accelerated significantly, with several key engineering targets now exceeded during the validation programme.
The Escort Mk1 RS will continue to offer two distinct powertrain options.
The first is the Twin Cam — a direct homage to the original Alan Mann Racing built motorsport engine of 1968, reimagined with modern reliability and precision while retaining its unmistakably mechanical character.
The second is the brand-new Boreham TEN-K — internally designated BD10-330 — a bespoke high-revving powertrain engineered to deliver a visceral, analogue driving experience through throttle response, rev character and lightweight performance. This naturally aspirated 2.152-litre inline-four has been engineered specifically for the Ford Escort Mk1 RS and combines motorsport-derived architecture with modern engineering precision. Originally targeted at 300PS, the latest calibration work has already achieved 330PS while achieving and maintaining full 10,000rpm capability.
Designed and developed by Boreham Motorworks, the Boreham TEN-K features a naturally aspirated 16-valve cylinder head with Formula 1-inspired port and valve geometry, belt-driven camshafts and individual throttle bodies to maximise gas flow, throttle response and high-rev performance. A carbon-fibre air box and low-loss intake system further optimise engine breathing, while a bespoke lightweight exhaust manifold and stainless steel exhaust system deliver both performance and acoustic character.
Weighing just 85kg, the TEN-K has been engineered with lightweight construction and ultra-low rotational inertia at its core. Further weight reduction has been achieved through advanced 3D-printed casting technology, enabling a lightweight cylinder block structure formed tightly around the engine’s internal architecture. Billet components including the crankshaft, cradle, dry sump system and cam cover combine with forged connecting rods, a low-inertia single-mass flywheel and twin-plate clutch assembly to create an engine defined by immediacy, response and character. A bespoke 7-litre dry sump lubrication system and transverse-flow aluminium cooling package with integrated oil cooler have also been developed specifically to support the demands of sustained high-performance driving.
The Boreham TEN-K is paired to a bespoke five-speed transmission featuring a dog-leg first gear layout and close-ratio gearing optimised specifically around the engine’s broad high-rev torque delivery. A bespoke two-piece prop shaft engineered for sustained high-rpm operation transfers power to the lightweight rear-wheel-drive platform through a carefully selected 5.125 final drive ratio, ensuring the engine remains within its optimal power band throughout acceleration while delivering immediate response and strong performance in every gear.
Combined with the lightweight rear-wheel-drive chassis and naturally aspirated character of the TEN-K engine, the drivetrain has been calibrated to create a highly responsive and engaging driving experience on both road and track. The result is a car that feels consistently alive under acceleration, with power always immediately accessible to the driver.
Extensive dyno calibration and rolling road testing have validated not only the engine’s performance capability, but also the engineering philosophy behind the programme itself — lightweight, naturally aspirated and engineered to deliver immediacy, usability and authentic driver connection.
TECHNICAL DETAIL – PERFORMANCE THROUGH PRECISION ENGINEERING
The Ford Escort Mk1 RS has been engineered from the ground up around a philosophy of lightweight performance, precision control and analogue driver engagement. Central to the chassis programme is a completely bespoke suspension and drivetrain architecture developed specifically for the vehicle, combining modern engineering analysis with motorsport-derived principles to deliver exceptional responsiveness, predictability and driver confidence.
The chassis system features bespoke wheel and tyre packages developed around 15-inch lightweight wheels, paired with Yokohama A052 tyres measuring 205/50 R15 at the front and 225/50 R15 at the rear.
A bespoke front subframe has been engineered specifically for the Ford Escort Mk1 RS, overcoming the geometric limitations of the original Escort front crossmember and unlocking suspension characteristics that were previously impossible to achieve on a road-going Escort. Retaining the Escort’s iconic MacPherson strut front suspension architecture, the system combines bespoke coil springs and dampers developed in partnership with R53, allowing Boreham Motorworks engineers to optimise critical parameters including scrub radius, caster and camber. The result is significantly enhanced steering precision, front-end grip, stability and driver confidence while preserving the fundamental character that made the original Escort such a rewarding driver’s car.
Crucially, the subframe also enabled a 30mm wheelbase increase, directly aligning the proportions and suspension geometry of the Mk1 RS with the Alan Mann Racing Escorts of 1968. Those competition cars were developed to maximise performance on track and established a dynamic character that became legendary among drivers and engineers alike. By integrating these same fundamental geometric principles into a brand-new vehicle architecture, Boreham Motorworks has been able to deliver handling characteristics that no previous road-going Escort has ever achieved.
At the rear of the car, Boreham Motorworks has developed a completely bespoke fully floating rear axle system engineered specifically for the programme to deliver exceptional stiffness, lightweight performance and predictable handling characteristics. Extensive analysis of existing motorsport road and rally axle solutions identified an opportunity to create a less compromised architecture optimised specifically for the Mk1 RS. At the core of the system is a bespoke aluminium centre casting with integral structural bracing and significantly shortened titanium axle tubes designed to maximise rigidity while minimising mass. The resulting assembly achieves a 50% (40kg) reduction in rear unsprung mass compared with period competition Escorts, significantly improving wheel control, ride quality and dynamic response.
Extensive CAE analysis was used throughout development to optimise stiffness characteristics and material usage, ensuring maximum structural performance with the minimum possible weight. The rear axle is controlled through a bespoke six-link layout featuring four radius arms to transmit tractive forces and a twin watts-linkage arrangement to precisely maintain axle centring throughout suspension travel. Fully sealed cross-axis ball joints are used throughout the suspension system to optimise performance, friction characteristics and ride quality.
The drivetrain has been calibrated to deliver immediate response and highly accessible performance through every gear. A 5.125 final drive ratio works alongside an automatic torque biasing differential, S155-300M gun-drilled driveshafts and an EN39T crown wheel and pinion to maximise traction, durability and throttle response. Combined with the naturally aspirated Boreham TEN-K engine and lightweight rear-wheel-drive platform, the result is a highly responsive and engaging driving experience with strong, predictable power delivery.
At the front and rear new lightweight dampers and springs developed in partnership with R53 utilise advanced valve geometry to optimise body control, wheel compliance and dynamic precision across both road and track environments. Braking performance is delivered through a bespoke lightweight braking system featuring 300mm two-piece vented front rotors, 260mm solid rear rotors and bespoke four-piston front and two-piston rear callipers. For added analogue enjoyment the brake system is complemented by a traditional cable-operated parking brake, integrated within the rear caliper, using specially selected pad material.
The Ford Escort Mk1 RS also features an entirely new electrical and electronic architecture developed to deliver modern standards of reliability, lightweight performance and intelligent vehicle management. Replacing the simplified electrical systems typical of the 1960s, the new platform incorporates bespoke wiring harnesses, advanced controllers and intelligent Power Distribution Modules to significantly improve efficiency, controllability and overall system performance.
The intelligent power management system actively balances electrical loads across the vehicle, reducing unnecessary strain on components such as the alternator and minimising parasitic engine losses. A new engine control unit and bespoke calibration strategy have been developed specifically to support the Boreham TEN-K engine and homologation requirements, ensuring consistent performance, drivability and refinement. Modern usability is further integrated through a discreet Single DIN stereo and four speaker system with phone connectivity, carefully incorporated without compromising the analogue character of the cabin.
DESIGN — REINTERPRETING AN ICON
Led by Wayne Burgess, the Ford Escort Mk1 RS has been shaped by a clear objective: preserve the character and motorsport intent that made the original Escort RS so iconic, while engineering it to modern standards of precision, quality and performance.
Central to that approach was the influence of the 1967 and 1968 Alan Mann Racing Escorts. The longer wheelbase, purposeful stance and distinctive bubble arches of the competition cars became defining references throughout the programme. Originally developed to accommodate wider suspension geometry and wheel packages for racing, those features established one of the most recognisable silhouettes in touring car history and continue to define the character of the new Mk1 RS.
Every surface and component has been engineered with the same balance of function and performance. Exterior highlights include bespoke headlights and tail lamps, featuring precision-engineered housings and modern LED optics developed to OEM homologation standards for performance, safety and reliability. Their distinctive visual signature takes inspiration from the taped-over lamps seen on race and rally Escorts in period, creating a modern interpretation of an unmistakable competition identity.
Exterior bright ware has been crafted from premium materials including billet-machined aluminium and stainless steel, precision-finished to elevate both quality and durability while maintaining the simplicity and honesty of the original car.
Inside, the philosophy remains focused on driver engagement and lightweight functionality. A carbon-fibre interior architecture incorporates the dashboard, door cards and rear panels, reducing weight while creating a clean and highly technical environment. Integrated optional helmet storage further reinforces the car’s motorsport intent.
The cockpit itself has been designed around analogue interaction and complete configurability. Bespoke seats, steering wheel, roll cage specification and instrumentation can all be tailored to customer preference, while the dial layout takes direct inspiration from period-correct Escort competition cars.
Positioned prominently within the centre console are twin rally chronographs mounted side-by-side in a shotgun configuration — a direct reference to classic rally timing instruments — developed with Breitling.
Wayne Burgess, Design Director of Boreham Motorworks, said:
“The challenge was never about redesigning the Escort RS — it was about understanding what made it so special in the first place. The Alan Mann race cars became an incredibly important reference because every part of their design came from function and performance.”
“That philosophy guided the entire programme. The proportions, the stance, the simplicity and the mechanical honesty all come from engineering purpose. We wanted the car to feel authentic not just visually, but emotionally and dynamically as well.”
A LICENSED LEGACY
The Ford Escort Mk1 RS exists through an official licence agreement with Ford Motor Company, affirming the authenticity and lineage of the programme.
Will Ford, General Manager, Ford Racing, said:
“From the first time we met with Boreham Motorworks and the DRVN team, it was clear that they had an exciting vision for how to bring some of our most iconic historical nameplates to life for the modern era. It will be exciting to see this relationship flourish and to see how Boreham Motorworks brings the vision to life at a time when there is so much passion from enthusiasts for great experiences.”
Limited to just 150 examples worldwide, the Ford Escort Mk1 RS will be available in both left-hand-drive and right-hand-drive configuration. Each vehicle will be backed by a two-year, 20,000-mile warranty, reinforcing Boreham Motorworks’ commitment to engineering integrity, usability and real-world drivability.
True to the spirit of the original RS cars, Boreham Motorworks encourages owners to use and enjoy their cars as intended — driven on road, experienced properly and connected to through every mile.
Iain Muir, CEO of Boreham Motorworks, adds:
“The public debut of the Escort Mk1 RS marks a hugely important moment for the programme because it demonstrates how far the engineering and development process has progressed since the original reveal.”
“What matters most to us is ensuring the car delivers exactly what enthusiasts expect the moment they get behind the wheel. Lightweight engineering, immediate response, usable naturally aspirated performance and genuine driver connection have guided every decision throughout development.”
“With a programme target weight of 895kg, alongside the achievement of 330PS and a confirmed 10,000rpm capability, the character of the car is captured perfectly. It is focused, mechanical and engineered to reward the driver in every moment.”
Pricing for the Ford Escort Mk1 RS starts from £295,000 (UK/Rest of World) and $400,000 (US), plus local taxes and options. Production will be strictly limited to 150 examples globally, mixed between LHD and RHD as required.