CHASING CARS
ASKING £22,750 PRICE
ENGINE 2792cc/V6/OHV POWER 150bhp@5700rpm TORQUE 160lb ft@3800rpm MAXIMUM SPEED 129mph 0-60MPH 7.8sec FUEL CONSUMPTION 21-26mpg TRANSMISSION RWD, five-speed manual MoT 12 months on sale ODOMETER 46,436 miles
WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?
The XR4i received indifferent press due to the Capri 2.8 Injection still being in production but interest in good ones like this is on the rise. The low mileage is vindicated by the way it drives and doesn’t feel like it’s been thrashed over its 40 years. The unassisted steering remains manageable and the engine still feels full of its original 150 horses. Strangely, considering how much TLC has been lavished on it, four different tyre makes are fitted but Fairmont has agreed to replace them with quality ones more appropriate to this Ford’s performance and price.
BODYWORK CHECK
This XR4i had only arrived the day before we visited – and so wasn’t prepared at all – but even so its overall condition can only be described excellent, with only very minor stone chips to the prominent nose and marks on the driver’s door edge. The large plastic bumpers and mouldings still fit precisely and are scuff-free, while a mild scratch on the nearside front wing will be attended to before sale. It remains pleasingly standard and the original alloy wheels are unmarked (including the spare).
HOW’S THE INTERIOR?
It’s easy to forget how well the Sierra’s cabin was designed when it was new. The trim is in showroom condition and the cloth seats look and feel like they’ve hardly been sat upon with no signs of wear on the steering wheel, gear lever or handbrake. The manual sunroof and its sliding louvred sun blind work properly and all of the switchgear (including the oft-broken cassette holders) work fine. An aftermarket alarm/ immobiliser has been fitted and the standard Ford stereo has been modernised with a Bluetooth faci
