FT942-6637 _AN-EE2AAAFDFT 940528 FT 28 MAY 94 / Motoring: A safe ride in the ultimate boy racer By STUART MARSHALL The sad thing about Ford's Escort RS Cosworth is that most of the young who lust after it cannot afford to buy one. Even if they could fund its purchase -Pounds 25,175, or less than half the price of an equally unattainable Porsche 911 - it is unlikely they could insure it. Picture the scene. A 21-year-old, with a couple of expensive accident claims under his belt, walks into an insurance company. As soon as he mentions he is seeking cover on a fat-tyred vehicle of 227 horsepower, with a monstrous rear spoiler and a top speed of 140mph (225kph), what happens? The motor policies manager either gives a hollow laugh, tries to hide under the desk, or runs screaming from the office. Thus, very few examples of the Escort RS Cosworth are likely to end up in the hands of those who would relish most the thought of driving them. Does this mean, then, that it is an inherently difficult, even dangerous, car? The answer is: absolutely not. Used responsibly, there can be few safer for all kinds of journeys on motorways, main and minor roads. The Escort RS Cosworth is the latest version of a vehicle that was created to win motor sport honours for Ford. In essence, it consists of the mechanicals of a Sierra RS Cosworth 4 x 4 tucked away in an Escort body shell. Like all previous Escorts, it has done well in international rallying; it won this year's Monte Carlo. The road-going model I drove in Luxembourg and Germany last week, although much tamer than the rally car, is a formidable performer. It will catapault from 0-60mph (96kph) in 5.7 seconds and, more meaningfully, accelerate in fourth gear from 30-60mph (48-96kph) in 9.4 seconds. In practice, this spells safe, swift overtaking on wet or dry roads. It also spells temptation. I really disapprove of people who drive fast and grippy cars on country roads at speeds more appropriate to a rally special stage. And what did I do in the almost traffic-free lanes criss-crossing Luxembourg's woods and fields? You have guessed. I yielded to temptation, although only where sight lines on bends made it safe to do so. I discovered that the Escort RS Cosworth 4x4, on its specially developed Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres, has extraordinary cornering powers. It is easier to drive fast on slippery roads than any other car I can think of. And, however much you exploit its turbo-charged muscle, the sophisticated transmission defeats wheel spin. What is it like to drive at more sensible speeds? The ultra-low profile tyres are less than half as high in cross-section as they are wide. Inevitably, they tend to 'tram-line' - that is, follow ridges in the road - and rough surfaces are heard as well as felt. Both the engine and power-assisted steering respond instantly; the anti-lock brakes are powerful; and the five-speed transmission smooth without being exactly silky. Conversation became difficult on the autobahn at close to maximum speed, but at 80-85 mph (128-137kph) the engine sang sweetly and not at all noisily. Changes to the power plant include using a smaller turbo-charger. Peak power and maximum torque (pulling power at a given speed) are the same as before, but are developed at lower revolutions. This makes the Escort RS Cosworth as driveable as a family car in town traffic. The luxury-trim version I tried sets you back Pounds 24,775. With optional extra leather seats, air-conditioning and passenger air-bag, it would cost Pounds 27,005 - still very reasonable. The spoiler might come in useful as a table for plates of food at race meetings but, otherwise, seems pointless. It is part of the package, but Ford makes no charge for leaving it off. Countries:- GBZ United Kingdom, EC. Industries:- P3711 Motor Vehicles and Car Bodies. Types:- NEWS General News. The Financial Times London Page XIV