I read in the paper that SVT will build a Focus in 2002. It will have 170 hp rather than 130, 145 pounds of torque rather than 135, and 6 speed manual. I wonder if it will also come with 6 recalls and counting like the current Focus. They are going to build 7,500 in the Mexico plant, and hope to price it around $18,000. It will also do 0 to 60 in 7 seconds. I doesn't sound too exciting, but maybe because of this more people will know what SVT stands for.
Tom

 

Evidently Ford wants to build something that will strike terror in the hearts of all those Chevy Metro and Suzuki Swift drivers out there.

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I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal lobotomy.

'84 Alan Record Carbonio, Aerospoke wheels, Campy brakes.
'00 SVT Lightning, silver, built 2/9/00, #133 of 4966, G-tech Pro, JBA headers, 4.10 gears, Swanson chip, Pro-M, NGK plugs, carbon drive shaft, Roadmaster suspension kit
13.39 @ 102.5
2001 Kevlacat 2400, twin 115 Evinrude FICHT, Raytheon VHF, radar, autopilot and GPS chartplotter/fishfinder.

gmvye@pacbell.net

 

I think they are trying to scare all the rice burners.

 

why make a focus an svt, thatcar is so ugly, make a svt windstar, anything but the focus

 

Actually, that was the thrust of my tongue in cheek remark. I think Ford's real intent is to siphon off some sales from the segment that buys rice burners now, but with 170 h.p. for 18 grand I think it is a pretty lame effort. For half of that I could get a used Civic, drop in a turbo, coil overs, and some other mods and run rings around the SVT Focus. It would be about as close as one of us racing a Silverado, or something. Strike terror in the hearts of the rice burners? NOT.

 

I think the SVT Focus is a great idea. We may pick one up for the wife and kid to use.

It gives Ford some depth in their SVY offerings and should appeal to the import crowd. It should also be well-supported in the aftermarket. It will make a decent ricer.

It's not exactly a thudering drag monster, but that's not what it is supposed to be. Then again, those SVT Mustangs aren't exactly kings of the dragstrip, are they?



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Regards,
Gordon

'99 Red Lightning
Johnny Lightning Superchip
Johnny Lighting Ram Air Kit
Century Tonneau
Best 1/4 mi. ET: 13.249 secs

 

Umm..Guys the focus is an easy performance platform..There is already one in the 8's(of course not much stock)..It's an easy platform to turbo..And plus it's a HIGHLY successful WRC car..The Cosworth Focus would utterly WASTE any Lightning(except Jason Browns and a few others)..It's a neat little car if done up right..

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Curt
93 Lightning #4232

 

I think it would be a great little commuting car, and I could drive it during the winter. It is a much better platform than the contour.
I have driven both the focus, and contour as rental vehicals when my truck was in the shop.I would choose the focus over a contour anyday.

 

It is not a bad Idea, I was considering one when I was at Ford, but now this will be my next vehicle:
http://www.b15sentra.net/2002ser.htm

I drove a test Mule today, it was very fun...
2700 lbs and 180 hp & 180 ft-lbs makes a nice dailey driver - Autocross Car.

 

whats the big mystery on the svt focus? its simply svt's replacement for the svt contour which is being discontinued.

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Dave
93 5.0

 

Hocus Fucus

I want this one :

http://www.edmunds.com/roadtests/roa...7/page001.html

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought we were talking about the SVT Focus, not the WRC Focus or the Cosworth Focus (which I like a lot) or the Twin Turbo Focus I saw at the '00 L.A. Auto Show or the tube frame, kevlar panel 8 second Focus I saw at the '01 L.A. Auto Show. I agree that the Focus is a good platform for a high performance car, I think the luke warm version proffered by Ford is a waste. Why not the 240 h.p. twin turbo version, or at least a 10 psi Eaton blower on it? To take a promising vehicle and then hot it up a whole 40 h.p. (giving it essentially the same power as a stock Honda Civic Si) and slapping an SVT label on it is, to me, an insult.

 

They do make a turbo kit for that little puppy that puts out quite a punch.

I am personally happy to see it added to the SVT family although, I don't think I'll be running out to get one.

I think one Cobra and one Lightning is enough for now, but perhaps my daughter would be a good candidate for one.

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'96 White Cobra Coup
'01 Sliver Lightning ordered


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