There was never an RS Orion. It was aimed at the mini exec market so it was never intended to be out-and-out sporting.

Top spec in the MK1 was 1.6i Ghia, which was carried on for the MK2. There was a 1600E in 1989 which had the same mechanicals but leather and wood inside.

For the MK3, they released the Ghia SI, which was similar to the Escort XR3i, being available in 105PS spec with drums and standard box, and then in 130PS spec which had the hotter cams and things, with rear disks and an MTX75 box. For the 1993/4 facelift the 130PS model was dropped, but the SI got an RS2000 front bumper/headlights, with the wheels that were later fitted to the MK6 RS2000. It was also at this time that the Orion name was dropped and they all became Escort saloons.

Then in 1995, the MK6 Escort came along, and the top spec was Ghia X until the saloon was dropped in 1998.

MK1, 2 and 3 models could be specified with an optional RS body kit, but there was never offically an RS model, just the Ghia I or Ghia Si.

I'll take my geek hat off now