SVT moves upscale. Good for us?
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From: At the Gas Pump!
SVT moves upscale. Good for us?
This should help our SVT vehicles retain their value. 
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Ford strives to give SVT models upscale image
By Rick Kranz
Automotive News / December 08, 2003
DETROIT - Ford Motor Co. will take its SVT high-performance brand upscale and drop the SVT Focus.
The demise of the SVT Focus is part of Ford Motor's revision of its performance strategy. The company will create a performance series for the Ford brand and likely will add a high-performance Lincoln SUV and a supercharged Mercury sedan.
"I want to see product and performance across the range," said Phil Martens, group vice president of product creation for North America, at a press event here last month.
SVT stands for Special Vehicle Team.
The Ford Performance Group, formed in September 2002, is directing the strategy. The group develops performance vehicles and handles performance parts and services for Ford, Lincoln and Mercury.
Martens said the group will concentrate on three vehicle types beginning in the 2005 model year.
1. High-end vehicles, including the two-passenger 2005 Ford GT and the Ford brand's limited-edition SVT models.
2. Turbocharged and supercharged vehicles.
3. Mainstream performance, including the new ST label for the Ford brand's high-volume performance vehicles below SVT.
With the SVT brand going to a more premium position, the low-end Focus no longer fits. Production of the 2004 SVT Focus will end in the spring. Ford sells about 5,500 SVT Focus models annually.
Moving upmarket
"We are moving SVT upmarket in terms of performance, content, craftsmanship," said Tom Scarpello, SVT marketing and sales manager. "And obviously, going along with that will be price."
The three-door 2004 SVT Focus has a $19,205 sticker price, including $545 destination. The five-door is $19,705 with destination.
The two other vehicles in the SVT line, the SVT Lightning and the Mustang SVT Cobra, also end production in the spring, leaving dealers with an 18-month gap until new models arrive.
The next-generation SVT Lightning, based on the F-150 pickup, will go into production in late 2005 or early 2006. That will be followed by the next SVT Cobra, which will be based on the redesigned Mustang.
Ford Division is creating high-performance models by using previous-generation SVT engines. For example, the Mustang Mach 1 is equipped with the previous-generation Cobra V-8. The Lightning V-8 also is used in the Harley-Davidson Edition F-150.
John Coletti, director of Ford Special Vehicle Team Programs, wants to do the same thing at Lincoln Mercury.
Coletti said 65 percent of the cost of developing an SVT vehicle is the powertrain - emissions, packaging, hardware and other considerations.
"We are being forced to go up to a much higher level, and what is left behind is a boost for the mainstream products," Coletti said. "It makes sense to trickle that stuff down."
Supercharged Navigator
The Ford Performance Group has developed a 2004 Lincoln Navigator equipped with the supercharged 380-hp SVT Lightning V-8, although no decision has been made on production.
Turbocharging and supercharging also are expected to have a wider role in the automaker's powertrains.
A turbocharged 200-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine soon will be approved for the 2005 or 2006 Focus. If produced, it would be a mass-market engine, available to all Ford dealers. The SVT Focus is available only to qualified SVT dealerships.
A supercharged Mercury Marauder also is under consideration.
With the decision to drop the SVT Focus, Focus owners are being targeted with performance parts and accessories authorized by the Ford Performance Group.
The Ford brand will use the ST designation for a range of high-volume performance vehicles with horsepower and suspension and enhancements. The first Ford to carry that badge will be the 2005 Focus ST, a sedan with a 150-hp, 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine.
Martens said the ST designation will be used where appropriate. The mid-sized Futura sedan, due in 2005, is a likely candidate, possibly with all-wheel drive. He said the Taurus is not a candidate.
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Ford strives to give SVT models upscale image
By Rick Kranz
Automotive News / December 08, 2003
DETROIT - Ford Motor Co. will take its SVT high-performance brand upscale and drop the SVT Focus.
The demise of the SVT Focus is part of Ford Motor's revision of its performance strategy. The company will create a performance series for the Ford brand and likely will add a high-performance Lincoln SUV and a supercharged Mercury sedan.
"I want to see product and performance across the range," said Phil Martens, group vice president of product creation for North America, at a press event here last month.
SVT stands for Special Vehicle Team.
The Ford Performance Group, formed in September 2002, is directing the strategy. The group develops performance vehicles and handles performance parts and services for Ford, Lincoln and Mercury.
Martens said the group will concentrate on three vehicle types beginning in the 2005 model year.
1. High-end vehicles, including the two-passenger 2005 Ford GT and the Ford brand's limited-edition SVT models.
2. Turbocharged and supercharged vehicles.
3. Mainstream performance, including the new ST label for the Ford brand's high-volume performance vehicles below SVT.
With the SVT brand going to a more premium position, the low-end Focus no longer fits. Production of the 2004 SVT Focus will end in the spring. Ford sells about 5,500 SVT Focus models annually.
Moving upmarket
"We are moving SVT upmarket in terms of performance, content, craftsmanship," said Tom Scarpello, SVT marketing and sales manager. "And obviously, going along with that will be price."
The three-door 2004 SVT Focus has a $19,205 sticker price, including $545 destination. The five-door is $19,705 with destination.
The two other vehicles in the SVT line, the SVT Lightning and the Mustang SVT Cobra, also end production in the spring, leaving dealers with an 18-month gap until new models arrive.
The next-generation SVT Lightning, based on the F-150 pickup, will go into production in late 2005 or early 2006. That will be followed by the next SVT Cobra, which will be based on the redesigned Mustang.
Ford Division is creating high-performance models by using previous-generation SVT engines. For example, the Mustang Mach 1 is equipped with the previous-generation Cobra V-8. The Lightning V-8 also is used in the Harley-Davidson Edition F-150.
John Coletti, director of Ford Special Vehicle Team Programs, wants to do the same thing at Lincoln Mercury.
Coletti said 65 percent of the cost of developing an SVT vehicle is the powertrain - emissions, packaging, hardware and other considerations.
"We are being forced to go up to a much higher level, and what is left behind is a boost for the mainstream products," Coletti said. "It makes sense to trickle that stuff down."
Supercharged Navigator
The Ford Performance Group has developed a 2004 Lincoln Navigator equipped with the supercharged 380-hp SVT Lightning V-8, although no decision has been made on production.
Turbocharging and supercharging also are expected to have a wider role in the automaker's powertrains.
A turbocharged 200-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine soon will be approved for the 2005 or 2006 Focus. If produced, it would be a mass-market engine, available to all Ford dealers. The SVT Focus is available only to qualified SVT dealerships.
A supercharged Mercury Marauder also is under consideration.
With the decision to drop the SVT Focus, Focus owners are being targeted with performance parts and accessories authorized by the Ford Performance Group.
The Ford brand will use the ST designation for a range of high-volume performance vehicles with horsepower and suspension and enhancements. The first Ford to carry that badge will be the 2005 Focus ST, a sedan with a 150-hp, 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine.
Martens said the ST designation will be used where appropriate. The mid-sized Futura sedan, due in 2005, is a likely candidate, possibly with all-wheel drive. He said the Taurus is not a candidate.
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From: TEXAS
The article is dated 4 days from now ????
"We are moving SVT upmarket in terms of performance, content, craftsmanship," said Tom Scarpello, SVT marketing and sales manager. "And obviously, going along with that will be price.
The three-door 2004 SVT Focus has a $19,205 sticker price, including $545 destination. The five-door is $19,705 with destination.
The two other vehicles in the SVT line, the SVT Lightning and the Mustang SVT Cobra, also end production in the spring, leaving dealers with an 18-month gap until new models arrive.
next-generation SVT Lightning, based on the F-150 pickup, will go into production in late 2005 or early 2006. That will be followed by the next SVT Cobra, which will be based on the redesigned Mustang.
"
The three-door 2004 SVT Focus has a $19,205 sticker price, including $545 destination. The five-door is $19,705 with destination.
The two other vehicles in the SVT line, the SVT Lightning and the Mustang SVT Cobra, also end production in the spring, leaving dealers with an 18-month gap until new models arrive.
next-generation SVT Lightning, based on the F-150 pickup, will go into production in late 2005 or early 2006. That will be followed by the next SVT Cobra, which will be based on the redesigned Mustang.
"
Last edited by Silver_2000; Dec 4, 2003 at 11:19 PM.
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From: At the Gas Pump!
The article is dated 4 days from now ????
I think this is great news.
This means the SVT vehicles should retain their resale value even better. With a break in sales to make them scarcer, and the Halo effect of the new ones, maybe we'll get back some of the resale value that the economy has taken away. The only problem is that I don't want to sell my truck...so I guess it doesn't really matter.
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From: Selden NY
This is great news, but it kind of puts all of us in a holding pattern which will play right into Fords Hands and Plans perfectly.
Even being the old man hot rodder I am, after a yr or two
I'm always ready for something new, it's been like that for
the over 27yrs I've been hot rodding. However after driving a Super Charger for some years, how the hell do I go back to NA,
I DON'T AS FAR AS I SEE.
So here a guy like me is thinking ok maybe it's Cobra time again next year (especially since my 96 had no S/C) But like LOCO is saying I DON'T WANNA SELL MY BEAST.
"BUT"
for motor longevity and reliability issue's, it would really save me a ton of money if I can slide into another SVT Supercharged Ford without any Motor/Tranny Rebuilds on the L.
So now what do I do, buy a 03 04 Cobra, but wait the new ones will be out maybe in 05, maybe in 06, the new body's will be sweet (I think) and I have a feeling I'll want one, hmm.... do I wait ???
But if I wait, then the L will surely cost me a Motor and or Tranny eventually. "OR" schitt maybe I want another Lightning,
"BUT"
Will it really have 500HP ? will it really come out in 05 or 06 ?
will it look like we think ? Should I wait ? AND WILL IT BE AFFORDABLE FOR ME??? They're already saying UPSCALE, oh schitt, whats that gonna cost me. And if I do decide to wait,
schitt again because that means I prob will have to do a built motor and or tranny eventually, because I cant see the L holding up to 11 sec runs for another couple or few years.
Even being the old man hot rodder I am, after a yr or two
I'm always ready for something new, it's been like that for
the over 27yrs I've been hot rodding. However after driving a Super Charger for some years, how the hell do I go back to NA,
I DON'T AS FAR AS I SEE.
So here a guy like me is thinking ok maybe it's Cobra time again next year (especially since my 96 had no S/C) But like LOCO is saying I DON'T WANNA SELL MY BEAST.
"BUT"
for motor longevity and reliability issue's, it would really save me a ton of money if I can slide into another SVT Supercharged Ford without any Motor/Tranny Rebuilds on the L.
So now what do I do, buy a 03 04 Cobra, but wait the new ones will be out maybe in 05, maybe in 06, the new body's will be sweet (I think) and I have a feeling I'll want one, hmm.... do I wait ???
But if I wait, then the L will surely cost me a Motor and or Tranny eventually. "OR" schitt maybe I want another Lightning,
"BUT"
Will it really have 500HP ? will it really come out in 05 or 06 ?
will it look like we think ? Should I wait ? AND WILL IT BE AFFORDABLE FOR ME??? They're already saying UPSCALE, oh schitt, whats that gonna cost me. And if I do decide to wait,
schitt again because that means I prob will have to do a built motor and or tranny eventually, because I cant see the L holding up to 11 sec runs for another couple or few years.
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From: Moline, IL USA
At a special Ford truck plant tour given for some of the LightningFest 2003 participitants, the following data for the next Gen 3 Lightning was given by the plant manager:
- 500hp/500torque
- 32 valve 5.4l w/SC
- 5 speed automatic only
- solid rear axle
- stock times of low 13's to high 12's
- the Gen 3 will NOT have the 22' wheels on the concept truck
- built on 2004 F150 welded box beam frame
- 750 lbs heaver than current Gen 2
- production in 05 or 06
- production plant NOT selected as of tour date
- ~$40,000
- it has not been decided if the AC cooling feature for cooling the SC air, will be offered as an option
So the moral is to save both your current truck to drive, AND your money to buy, the Gen 3 when released.
...Dwight...
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From: All over the US
Originally posted by BigD
the following data for the next Gen 3 Lightning was given by the plant manager
...Dwight...
the following data for the next Gen 3 Lightning was given by the plant manager
...Dwight...
............. Let me just leave it at that.HOOTIE AND THE BLOWFISH
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From: Walnut Creek
"Upscale" to me means heated seats, a MUCH better sound system (Hey, here's an idea...try Bose guys), automatic climate control, memory seats, aluminum trim and bits, and the like.
Who wouldn't pay for that? There is one other truck out there that's fast as hell, but doesn't have the luxury. I want the luxury and the speed....and we have the money to make that happen.
Also, by moving the lightning line up, in this manner, Ford can stear clear of the HP battle and give us a luxo truck as well...the audience will pay it...
Who wouldn't pay for that? There is one other truck out there that's fast as hell, but doesn't have the luxury. I want the luxury and the speed....and we have the money to make that happen.
Also, by moving the lightning line up, in this manner, Ford can stear clear of the HP battle and give us a luxo truck as well...the audience will pay it...