1981

Ford Escort, Car of the Year

For a totally new model with transversal engine and front wheel drive, Ford choosed to keep a famous name identified with rear wheel drive and big success in racing/rallying scene.

Ford Escort

326 points

New Escort, an almost parallel development to previous year’s Opel Kadett, hardly delivered as a base tool for sport activity, but was a honest, good value product for everyday use. Low maintenance CVH line of engines was a plus. This world project also gave birth to an Americant Escort with a long, fruitful career. 

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