Boreham unveils Ford Escort Mk1 RS “Ten-K” with 10,000rpm redline

First shown at the end of 2024, Boreham's reimagined Ford Escort Mk1 RS has finally arrived, and it's even more powerful than initially expected.

Stunning 'continumod' of 1970s icon is new from the ground up and has blistering performance potential British engineering firm Boreham Motorworks has revealed its £300k Ford Escort RS 'continumod' in production form for the first time - and claimed it will be "one of the most focused lightweight performance cars of the modern era". Unlike a conventional restomod, Boreham's super-light Escort is an entirely new creation, rather than being a modernised or re-engineered version of an existing classic car. It's officially licensed by Ford and described as "the first brand-new road-going Ford Escort Mk1 in more than 50 years". The RS was revealed initially in 2024 and has now been shown in full – with final specs – at the London Concours classic car show, ahead of Boreham beginning production in the coming months.  Pricing starts from £295,000 before options and taxes – so £354,000 in the UK – and just 150 examples will be built in total, in right- or left-hand drive. Weighing just 895kg, the RS is available with a bespoke naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine that's said to combine motorsport learnings with "modern engineering precision" to deliver a "visceral, analogue driving experience".  Named Ten-K in reference to its screaming 10,000rpm redline (demonstrated in the below video), the 2.2-litre lump weighs just 85kg yet sends an impressive 326bhp and 155lb ft of torque through the five-speed dog leg manual gearbox to the rear axle. Boreham has yet to release performance figures but, based on a power-to-weight ratio of nearly 300bhp per tonne, the RS should be well capable of keeping pace with most modern sports cars off the mark.           View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by Autocar (@autocar_official) The RS will also be available with a reworking of the storied Twin Cam engine that powered the Escort to competition success and a powerplant derived from Ford’s current offerings.  The Twin Cam has been upsized from 1558cc to 1845cc and its twin Weber carburettors have been replaced by fuel injection. The changes net an extra 73bhp for 182bhp. This is sent to the rear wheels via the original four-speed gearbox, with straight-cut, close-ratio gears. The RS is based on the two-door Escort RS bodies that were produced by Ford’s Advanced Vehicle Operations in Aveley, Essex, before it was shut in 1975. Boreham digitally recreated the shell and used computer simulations to re-engineer it for improved handling, adding extra bracing and widening the wheel arches. It also developed a new rear axle made from aluminium and titanium and moved the rear dampers from their original canted position to a more conventional vertical orientation. Power steering, anti-lock brakes and traction control are omitted to match the driving experience of the original car. It’s also fitted with coilover suspension and an automatic torque-biasing limited-slip differential that’s said to provide “controllable and predictable” oversteer. As well as all the changes under the skin, Boreham employed Wayne Burgess – formerly head of design for Jaguar SVR models, including the XE Project 8 – to bring the Escort up to date aesthetically. For example, its chrome bumpers and main indicators were removed to match the look of contemporary race cars (such as the Alan Mann-developed Escort that won the 1968 British Saloon Car Championship), while the new LED headlight design mimics the cross-shaped tape that was applied in period to prevent light housings from shattering.  The interior design combines references to the original, such as its six-clock instrument panel and two central air vents, with modern accoutrements. is also working on a plan to revive the Ford RS200. Like the Escort, this will be built from the ground up as an “entirely new” creation.