The New Mk2 is Here!
Finally we have the all new Mk2 registered on the road as a brand new car on 70 plates. Its been a quite a journey but we finally did it. We are really happy with how the car turned out.
Finally we have the all new Mk2 registered on the road as a brand new car on 70 plates. Its been a quite a journey but we finally did it. We are really happy with how the car turned out.
Progress has been a little slow recently due to the coronavirus but we are now pushing ahead to get the new Mk2 completed this summer and get the car booked if for the IVA test, that will allow us to register the Mk2 as a brand new 2020 road car.
The new 2.5L Duratec is now in position with a new designed billet alloy machined sump. Other newly developed parts for the Mk2 includes a new electronic power steering unit, Duratec to Mazda 6 speed adapter plate to allow the gearbox and engine to sit upright and gear lever position adapter kit that moves the gear lever further back.
Other features of this new Mk2 includes latest power distribution modules that controls the cars electrical system, doing away with fuses and relays. Running the engine we have a Life Racing ECU that has many features such as traction control, launch control, various map settings, data logging etc.
Quick update on the New Mk2 project, in association with our partners Great British Sports Cars.
Some behind the scenes R&D going on with various aspects of the build, including power distribution electrical system and power steering assembly that needs a collapsible element for IVA.
Most parts are now ready for dry fitting including the new Duratec 2.5L engine and matching 6-speed gearbox.
More updates and details coming over the next few weeks.
Some exciting news today! We have partnered up with GBS (Great British Sports Cars) to develop the new MK2’s as new registered road cars.
These will be brand new cars on current registration plates and we will be working closely with GBS on the development to meet the IVA test requirements.
The all new Mk2’s will be based on a group-4 spec bodyshell, powered by a brand new 2.5L Duratec on ATR billet throttle bodies & Life ECU. Mazda 6-speed gearbox, Atlas axle, AP Racing brakes, Bilstein coilovers etc.
They will be supplied as complete road going cars or in kit form, and can easily be converted to a rally car if required,
More news on the red prototype MK2 over the next few months
All new Mk2, everything you see here is 100% brand new including the bodyshell:
So we finally got the suspension, steering and axle parts on the to shell so that we could fit the nice shiny gold Minilite wheels, and I must say its looking amazing! The deep red colour works so well with the gold Minilites. Parts fitted are basically top quality full Group-4 components from Rix Engineering and Bilstein, we have not yes decided the final spec, as in engine, gearbox etc, but its looking like a 2.5L Duratec and a 6 speed Mazda gearbox, and possibly built as a Group-4 fast road car on a 19 plate 🙂
Group-4 Rix Engineering struts with Bilstein tarmac inserts. 2.25″ adjustable height coilover springs, alloy spherical bearing top mounts, in-situ adjustable bottom arms, 2.4 turns steering rack on Rix cross member base, engine will be chassis mounted.
Fully floating atlas axle casing (no diff or brakes fitted yet) twin taper bearing alloy hubs, Group-4 studs and alloy brace fitted. 4 link system with watts linkage via rear alloy diff casing. Bilstein turreted coilovers, 2.25″ adjustable height coilover springs.
Manual steering for now: New steering column on billet alloy steering wheel boss. Motamec 3 spoke, suede rally steering wheel
Here we go, on its wheels: 8×13 genuine Minilite wheels, group-4 fitting, powder coated gold colour. Tyres are Kumho 215/50R13, an ideal size for the Escort Mk2 alloy tarmac arches
Full range of parts fitted to the Escort can be found here
Nearly ready to start bolting some bits on to the red Mk2 we had back from the bodyshop end of last year. We have decided to start building the car as a little show piece, to show whats possible with these new mk2 shells. First parts to go on will be the axle and suspension. We will be using top quality Rix Engineering components with Group-4 Bilstein dampers and coilovers. The build will be based on tried and tested Group4 parts including a fully floating atlas axle, Bilstein coilovers on the rear with 4 link and Watts linkage. Front will be Rix struts with Bilstein inserts, adjustable TCAs, compression struts, alloy top mounts and Grp4 alloy hubs.
So here it is, a world first! The first fully built and finished 100% NEW Mk2 modern rally car! Brand new build using one of our new Mk2 shells, built over the last year and ran on the rollers today, ready for its first event next weekend, Duratec engine: 324bhp and 230ft/lb. A video clip coming shortly.
Brand new Escort Mk2 shell supplied by motorsport Tools in 2018. Car built by Rallyextreme for Shaun Weston