Here is a rather classy video of a Polish man drifting his XR4Ti around a circuit with some snappy editing and creative camera angles.

The XR4Ti in question is a bit of a mystery machine. The Merkur XR4Ti was a derivative of the European Ford Sierra XR4i with a Turbocharged Ford Lima SOHC 2.3L inline 4 in place of the XR4i’s Cologne V6. However, to the best of my knowledge, it was only available to the North American market under the Merkur brand. Presumably this car is the former property of an American service person station in Germany (the only explanation I can think of).

This car also wears a ‘base-spec’ front end. The grill is the multi-slat variant and the headlamps are the low-end single units without the integrated driving lamps (The XR4Ti would normally have hi-spec units). The wheels orginate from an Escort Cosworth and the normal 80’s bi-level wing has gone in favor of the 90’s facelift wing.

The grille sports a Ford blue oval where normally the Merkur motif would sit. Inside, the Merkur emblem is still visible on the steering wheel. The transmission is a manual, presumably a Type-9 and the upper glove-box has shrunk like every other Sierra I’ve ever seen ;)

I once owned an XR4i (as well as an XR4×4 ‘Fourbey’) and this video almost has me scouring ebay for another.

All in all, a very stylish video and a great tune too.

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3 Responses to “Polish Merkur XR4Ti Drifting”
  1. I have to step up and say something about the xr4ti, since I own one and recieved it in stock condition (though at this point.. its far from stock). The american spec cars did not recieve the “high end” euro lights, that would have been nice. We got shorted with a fomoco plastic lensed creation that was/is far inferior to the euro lamps. I’ve converted mine to sierra lights and been happy ever since. As for the slatted grille piece, they were common along with those headlights in south america on base model sierra’s. the wing on the back of the car, if it were to be a us spec car was from anything mid 87 and later Since we did not get a 90 model. Our cars also came with a open differential, if that guy is drifting like that with a open diff… OMG!! I’d be all set to say he’s swapped in a LSD from a euro sierra or otherwise. Great vid though!! Makes me want to go out and hang some corners ;)
    http://www.cardomain.com/ride/501382

  2. Thanks for the extra info on the North American XR4Tis. The European Sierras (Including the XR4i) actually had open diffs too except for the RS Cosworth / RS500 which had a semi-locker.

    It’s possible that this Polish fellow has welded up the diff purposely for drifting at the expense of his rear tyres in normal driving.

    Your XR4Ti looks great, the colour and stance reminds me of my ‘83 XR4i which was very similar except for having a Cosworth intake grille instead of the factory closed-nose panel.

  3. I actually owned one of these, white, single wing version. Bought it new for $14,500 in 1989. I think it was a leftover 88. Drove the snot out of it for several years and enjoyed it very much, had some minor Merkur oxygen sensor though it was easily fixed and considering its a 20 years old design, it still looks pretty decent. Aged better than most cars on the market… By the way, I loved the video… Hope I can do those moves someday…

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