You wait ages for a successor to the Sierra Cosworth to arrive...

TWO spiritual successors to an Eighties sports saloon icon have been by competing companies unveiled to fans of fast but affordable cars this week.

The Ford Sierra RS Cosworth was the motor of choice for touring car racers and ram raiders alike during its heyday in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and now both Ford and Subaru reckon they've come up with the modern equivalent after launching highly-tuned versions of two very different models.

The Blue Oval has come up with the Focus RS500, a more powerful version of the existing Focus RS which will be limited to just 500 examples, and set to deliver a blistering 350bhp through its front wheels.

“We were determined to mark the end of production for the current and acclaimed Focus RS with something even more special,” said Joe Bakaj, Ford of Europe's vice president for Product Development.

“From its stunning looks to its intoxicating performance, we have no doubt that the RS500 will be appreciated and quickly snapped up by performance car enthusiasts.”

But it's their rivals at Subaru who have actually revived the revered Cosworth name as a force to be reckoned with on the roads, after the Japanese firm announced a tie-up with the tuning firm to create a turbocharged Impreza with almost 400bhp on tap.

Just 75 Cosworth Impreza STI CS400s are set to be made, in what the firm reckons is one of the most eagerly-awaited automotive collaborations.

“The result of one of the most eagerly anticipated automotive collaborations in recent times is heading fast towards Subaru dealerships,” said a spokesperson for the company.

“The Cosworth Impreza STI CS400 officially goes on sale in June, and is set to offer performance-car fans the thrill of a lifetime.”

Ram raiders and getaway drivers are advised to start saving up now.