Released in 1982, the jelly mould styling was considered too radical for potential Cortina buyers but sales of the hatchbacks started to pick up and soon became a familiar sight on the roads. The range was enhanced by an estate, as well as a saloon model but it was a series of higher performance models, starting with the XR4i and culminating with the very potent Cosworth powered competition road cars that the Sierra finally become accepted by the public.