Ford Sierra 2.0 Ghia
The Sierra wrapped familiar rear-wheel-drive Ford machinery in a slippery hatchback body that startled traditional Cortina buyers.
1982 Ford Sierra 2.0 Ghia (8854619885).jpg · Niels de Wit from Lunteren, The Netherlands · CC BY 2.0
More than a set of wheels.
Ford of Europe replaced the square-edged Cortina and Taunus with the Sierra in autumn 1982. Its rounded five-door hatchback shape grew from aerodynamic experiments such as the Probe III and achieved a claimed drag coefficient of 0.34, far lower than the outgoing design's roughly 0.45. Underneath, Ford controlled cost by keeping a longitudinal engine and rear-wheel drive. This profile fixes one easily confused launch variant: the Netherlands-market Ghia with the 1,993 cc four-cylinder petrol engine, 77 kW and a five-speed manual. It is not the less powerful 2.0 V6 offered in some European markets. Ghia trim gave the cleanest closed-looking nose and a richer cabin, making the contrast between familiar mechanicals and futuristic appearance especially clear.
Look a little closer.
The Sierra's smooth nose looked so unusual in 1982 that its old-fashioned rear-wheel-drive layout was almost hidden by the futuristic body.
Photos show an example of the model or generation. The pictured vehicle’s year, equipment, or modifications can differ from the specification described here.
Aerodynamics as an engineering shortcut
Ford could not afford to replace every Sierra mechanical component at once. Improving the body's drag was a way to gain motorway speed and fuel economy without demanding a brand-new powertrain. Rounded corners, flush glazing details and a hatchback tail helped air stay attached longer. A 0.34 drag coefficient did not make the Sierra mechanically radical, but it made aerodynamic thinking visible in an ordinary family car—and influenced the smoother shapes that spread across the 1980s.
Source: MotorZeitung · 40 years of Ford Sierra ↗Why '2.0 Ghia' is not enough identity
European catalogues attached the same 2.0 badge to different engines and specifications. The exact Dutch launch listing used here is the 1,993 cc four-cylinder with 77 kW, 157 Nm, rear-wheel drive and five manual gears. A 2.0 V6 also existed elsewhere and produced different output. Naming the market, cylinder count, power and gearbox prevents a reader from combining the smoothest statistic from one version with the engine architecture of another.
Source: AutoWeek · Sierra 2.0 Ghia specifications ↗Where these facts come from
- AutoWeek · Ford Sierra 2.0 Ghia specifications
- MotorZeitung · 40 years of Ford Sierra
- Ford advertisement in Soldier, November 1982
Selected facts checked for this edition. Some source pages link to broader model families. Last reviewed October 1, 2026.