What in the world is SVT thinking? I'm sorry to say it but the Focus should never come to bear the SVT name. If they are setting up a Focus for performance, why not do an E-series van, an Aspire, or a Taurus station wagon?

 

I think the Focus is a perfectly acceptable platform to modify, but to add a measly 35 h.p. is pathetic. Lets see the 240 h.p. twin turbo version, at very least.

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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, TransGo shift kit,
13.39 @ 102.5

2001 Kevlacat 2400, twin 115 Evinrude FICHT, Raytheon VHF, radar, autopilot and GPS chartplotter/fishfinder.

gmvye@pacbell.net

 

I agree a twin turbo would be a hit.

 

I agree with you, @ least 225-250 hp! You may think it is a goofy idea, but look @ the "sport compact" (cough, cough, gag) it has been really hot the past few years. Ford is looking at all the $$$$$ it will rack in selling that car!!!

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99' Black (Wikd)SVT
best run 13.20 @ 105

**Millions have seen Lightning, few have ridden one**

 

I'll take a SVT Windstar! The ultimate family ride.

 

In my opinion, this is Ford taking a direct shot at the Honda Civic Si. The Focus has hit the ground running with many of the major aftermarket manufacturers quickly responding to the demand of the young buyers. Although having an SVT maybe pushing it, I think that smashing the Civic Si is the ultimate goal here.

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Steve
Mine:
1999 F-150 Sport Supercab
Bright Red 4.6L Auto
Billet Grill, Billet Ant, Clear Corners, Sony CD Player, Pioneers in all doors, Kicker 100si Amp, MTX preformed underseat box. Fiberglass Bed Cover
Hers:
2000 Expy Sport
Black, Grey Leather 5.4L
Clear Corners, Alpine CD Player, Punch 150 Amp, JL Audio preformed sub box in rear panel.

 

I don't know, I have to agree with tliss here. A front wheel drive econo car is the last thing you need to be turning into some sort of performance vehicle. And they are going to build what 20,000 of them? If it's not rear wheel drive and/or putting out at least 200hp what is the point? SVT is really losing sight of who they are and what is is they do. Do I dare say they have lost their Focus (bad pun I know).

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2000 Black Lightning
#1326 of 4966
Born on 03/20/2000
PSP Chip
PSP Filter
Best time: 13.335 @ 103.91 mph

 

My .02: SVT should crank out a SVT Explorer/Explorer Sport. Maybe put a charger on the 4.6 V8, crank out 300 hp in a 2-door or 4-door all-wheele drive Explorer.
Saleen already does it, but their Explorer only has 225 horsepower.
I would rather have the SVT Explorer than a Focus: More practicality, more power.

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2000 Silver Lightning
#2798 of 4966
Born on date: May 9, 2000

 

Zeus 2K1:

You mean something like this:



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2000 Red Lightning - #835 of 4966 Born 3-8-00 / Delivered 3-22-00
22% Window Tint, Clear Corners, MPulse LoPro Tonneau, AIM 2" Drop Shackles, Bed Rug, PSP Filter Kit, Other Goodies, Group Buy Floor Mats
Best time: 13.45 sec. @ 101.99 mph

2000 Red Trans Am Ram Air WS6, 6 Speed - Delivered 2-15-00 - Awesome Looking Car

My Zing.com Album Click Here

 

Ok in SVT's defense,

They are just going after the front wheeler, four banger crowd. SVT needs to make FORD a profit to continue, so what's the harm? I agree with Zeus that a SVT Explorer would be great. Maybe FORD is afraid to give the "small" trucks more HP the the Fseries. Don't forget they also did the Contour and the Tauruii, all front wheel drive. From what I've heard, the Focus had exceptional handling for that type/size of car. HP gains don't to be as large in a lighter car to have a nice gain.

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2000 F150 XLT 4x4 Short Bed. Amazon Green, 5.4L, SuperCab, ORP, Tow Package, Sliding Rear Window, Electronic Shift, Keyless Entry, LT265-70-17 Tires, Clarion Pro Audio, Herculiner Bedliner, Air Silencer Removed.

1994 SVT Mustang Cobra. #1032 of 6009. Black coupe with black leather int., 3.73 rear, Bassani Exhaust, Aluminum D/S, Bridgestone RE-71 255-45-ZR17

My Home Page

 

The Focus is a natural for SVT to hop up. I really would like to drive one when they come out. My wife just got a '01 ZX3, and it's a blast to drive. It has great chassis dynamics for a small car, and on some of my favorite sections of twisties it is actually faster than my L. Of course with a little 4banger it's all about momentum, so if you get out of the groove you're dead meat. I don't think Ford will go much more than 170hp...maybe up to 200hp, on fwd. If they go the direction of the Focus R--4wd, then they will really have a giant killer.

 

ford would make a svt expidition before the explorer... think about it. they start with the bigger brother then move to the little guy(explorer).

myself, i wouldn't mind seeing a 700hp v10 turbo excursion running in the 13's

that would be a sight to see

 

That Explorer is awesome! I would sell my Lightning in a heartbeat to get one! (Or take out a huge loan and buy one, and keep my Lightning...)

In regards to the Excursion V-10 in the 13's: don't you think some of those Greenpeace environmentalists would have a feast on Ford for that one? How many gallons to the mile would it get?

Ranger: Why not through a 4.6 in a Ranger, ala the old Syclone/Typhoon/whichever one was the truck...

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2000 Silver Lightning
#2798 of 4966
Born on date: May 9, 2000

 

A few of my friends were talking about this today... A hot rod Focus sounds good at first, then the reality of mixing high HP/torque with a FWD platform hits. Anyone remember the Dodge GLH? Torque-Steer, broken CV joints, thrashed transaxles, etc. Little things like this adds up to a not so pleasant experience.

Full time AWD is the answer. But exotic drivetrains = exotic price tag. How many SVT Focus is Ford going to sell if they cost $30K?

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Francis
'00 Lightning, S/C 5.4
'93 Mustang GT, N/A 5.7
'00 T-Maxx, N/A 0.15

 

WHAT04:
SkyDome car show? Sweet.
Question: Did that exhibit have any information about what was under the hood? And why lime green?

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2000 Silver Lightning
#2798 of 4966
Born on date: May 9, 2000