copied from the for sale thread cause i cant be bothered typing it..

The Rouse Sport Cosworth was a limited edition, ultimate road specification Cosworth developed personally by Andy Rouse of GpA touring car fame, and his company Rouse Sport, around the four door Sapphire bodyshell. Two versions were available, designated 302-R and 304-R respectively. The nomenclature was simple, 302 denoted the 2wd version, and 304 the 4wd. The associated 300 represented the amount of torque developed by the modified Cosworth YB engine, 300 lb/ft. The 'R' suffix denoted Rouse Sport, naturally. The differences between 302-R and 304-R were as with the 2wd and 4wd versions of the 'normal' Sapphire RS Cosworth, different lamp clusters, bonnet vents, T5 or MT75 gearbox etc.

The model was designed to build upon the driveability, and usability of the already supremely effective Sierra Sapphire RS Cosworth. Rouse's aim was not huge horsepower, his ability to create that was of course not in doubt, but for low lag torque and the associated mid range performance that that would bring. Significantly, the Garrett T3 turbo of the standard car was replaced with a smaller T25 unit. This was a properly engineered conversion with revisions to the induction and exhaust systems, and a remapped ECU. Resultantly, the Rouse car developed 260bhp @ 5000 rpm, vs 220 for the standard car, and 300 lb/ft torque @ 4000rpm, vs 214. Performance gains were significant with, in the case of the 4wd version, an increase of 5mph top speed, and savings of 0.5 secs 1.1 secs and 8.5 secs on the 0-60, 0-100 and 0-120mph times respectively. Much more significant was the 'real world' mid range gains. In every 20mph increment from 20mph right through to 110 mph, and irrespective of whether it was in 3rd, 4th or 5th gear, the Rouse Sport was quicker by anything from 0.5 to 1.0 sec. A standard car would have had to be driven extremely well, and hard, to maintain pace with the Rouse car.

The Rouse Sport conversion added £4450 + VAT to the price of the standard car, making it the most expensive Sierra Cosworth ever marketed, and sold, by Ford by a some margin. The model had a unique body kit encompassing totally revised front and rear bumpers, side skirts and a much bigger spoiler, and subtle Rouse Sport badging featured throughout. Wheel arches were modified to enable fitment of wider 225/50 VR15 tyres, vs the standard 205/50s, and the suspension was enhanced with modified bushing. All of the cars proudly displayed their Rouse status, and build number on a plaque seen on the driver's 'B' pillar.

The interior benefiited from quite superb front Recaros, with much bigger bolsters, and an additional set of 'wings' over the standard version. The seats, and dashboard, displayed bespoke Rouse Sport badging. Cloth trim was standard, with leather trim listed as an option at a cost of £280. Most customers opted for leather trim, and therefore only a minimal number of cars, perhaps between 3 and 5, were fitted with cloth trim. This car, No. 41 is one of those. Rouse Sport also offered, as an option, mahogany wood door trim inserts and and Italian wood gearknob (302-R only). Additional soundproofing featured throughout, in keeping with the car's higher list price, and aided overall refinement levels.