A year later, development began on the RS500 Cosworth, a 224 hp-upgraded version with an engine block with thicker walls to avoid twisting. The RS500 featured a larger Garret T4 turbo, improved intake manifold, a better air-to-air intercooler, a second set of four fuel injectors and a second fuel rail (not activated in the road version), a fuel pump with higher flow, a different oil lubrication and cooling system and modified suspension anchors. Externally it was differentiated by a lower front spoiler and a double rear spoiler -better known as “whale tail”- with higher downforce, 15 inches BBS rims and wider wheel arches. It was only offered in three colors: Black, Moonstone Blue and Diamond White. The British company Tickford was commissioned to build the 500 units of the RS500. This would be Ford’s weapon to face a new global sporting challenge: the WTCC.

Due to the success of the Touring Car divisions that ran in Europe, Asia and Australia, the International Automobile Federation decided in 1987 to create the WTCC, a world class category. Ford, BMW, Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Volvo, Mercedes-Benz and Holden signed up to compete officially with their sports models. By the end of the 1987 WTCC season, Ford had won five of the eleven races, leading to the constructors’ championship.