Welsh engineering firm Motorsport Tools (MST) has revived the spirit of Ford’s pugnacious Escort RS2000 X-Pack in the form of its new Evo-X Recreation. The car was unveiled at Piston Heads’ Annual Service at Bicester Heritage on August 10, 2024.
MST’s latest model builds on its Escort Mk2 Recreation, but significantly increases performance with comprehensive powertrain, suspension, and bodywork upgrades.
The most obvious feature of an original X-Pack-equipped Escort of the 1970s and 1980s was always its aggressive boxed-arch bodywork and ‘droop snoot’ nose, and MST’s rendition is no different. Unlike the original, however, MST has manufactured the bodykit from lightweight carbonfibre.
The independent suspension arrangement echoes the RS2000 that was commissioned and developed by rally legend Colin McRae
MST says it has built the car to ‘modern rally’ specification, adding a bevy of bodywork and chassis-strengthening plates, braces and gussets, as well as underfloor skid plates and a centrally mounted fuel tank.
The firm is yet to officially reveal the car’s kerbweight, but we imagine that the use of modern lightweight materials will offset weight added by modern features such as power steering and air-conditioning, as well as the bodywork and chassis-strengthening measures. At a mere 925kg, the original X-Pack RS2000 is a featherweight car by modern standards.
Customers will be able to choose from two naturally aspirated four-cylinder engines: a 2.5-litre Duratec or a 2.8-litre Millington Diamond that develop 275bhp and 365bhp respectively. Power is sent to the rear wheels via a Tractive six-speed sequential transmission or a more traditional T5 H-pattern ‘box.
The suspension has undergone a similarly comprehensive overhaul. The Evo-X upgrades MST’s standard Mk2 Escort Recreation with fully independent rear suspension in place of a live axle. The independent-suspension arrangement echoes the RS2000 that was commissioned and developed by rally legend Colin McRae in the 2000s.
Complementing the more sophisticated suspension architecture is motor sport-spec Reiger three-way adjustable dampers and alloy hubs. Customers who wish to adjust their damper settings on the fly can plump for the optional Tractive electronic shockers.
A motor sport-grade pedal box controls AP Racing disc brakes at each corner, with six-piston calipers at the front and four-piston calipers at the rear. The brakes are concealed by 17-inch wheels wrapped in sticky Michelin Cup Sport rubber.
Buyers can tailor the interior to their preferences, choosing between a fully trimmed configuration for comfortable touring or a stripped-back approach to minimise weight. MST also offers a diverse selection of steering wheels, seats and harness options, allowing customers to fine-tune the driving experience to their needs. The bodywork can be painted in any colour the customer chooses.
The price remains unconfirmed, but is expected to be north of the £114,000 required to purchase a top-of-the-range Mk2. Deliveries are slated to begin in 2025.
For more information, click here.
