Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General General More future SVT info

Found this on Blueovalnews for what it's worth.
Click here

They could have done 2 things:

1. Water down SVT and make is available at all dealers.
2. add a "ST" brand to sell at all dealers.

Now, SVT can concentrate on hi-po vehicles like Cobra and Lightning.

it still kinda of sucks they're not going to turbo charge a SVT Focus, and instead offer it as an option on ALL foci, like a 1.8T Golf or someting. . .

I'm sure I'd never be able to afford the Shelby or Cobra of next genereation, I wouldn't be surprised if they started dipping into the mid-40Ks. . .

Suneil

Well, they tried taking SVT to a larger audience, (particularly, younger) and a lot of us worried about losing exclusivity.

I guess Ford caught on that the SVT "brand image" was getting a bit cloudy.

Now, it seems they're trying to be more like a Calloway or AMG.

As for the ST "trim level," and parts offerings--I can't read their minds, but it sounds like they are trying to match companies like MINI, Mopar, and Subaru, all who offer performance parts at the dealer that are covered under the vehicle warranty. And, to offer more performance out of the box. To me, that's a good thing.

What sounds screwy, however, is that the Focus ST might only have 150 hp? If they are dropping the FSVT, and the development is done, why not give it the FSVT engine? Or, is the idea to sell more turbos? Anybody know what 2.3L powerplant they are talking about?

The ST moniker is a good idea. Ford has been using it in Europe for years. The Euro Focus ST170 is the same car as our Focus SVT.

SVT was always supposed to be a ford equivalent of BMW M or Mercedes AMG, but despite building great cars SVT vehicles have never truly competed with the former nameplates. Now with ST (Street Tuned) filling the need for mass-market sporty cars, SVT can build true world-class high performance vehicles.

About the engines - the 2.0 and 2.3 are new designs that will be used by Ford's subsidiaries as well. The 2.3 is already in use in the Mazda6 and will be used with the 2.0 in the Mazda3 as well.

The Duratec 2.3L is NOT the old one that was in the pre 94 Mustangs! I've heard some say this on the net, and I want to reach into the PC and shake them saying "NO!" '2.3' is the displacement, not a "model #" for an engine, like some mistakenly think.

All Zetec are being phased out, so no FSVT engines. Besidses, the 2.3L has more torque than the SVT Zetec.

There are plans for a Turbo Focus, it is in the same stories about changes to the SVT line. Go back and read the link thoroughly and see this:

"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."

what the engine in my old ford tempo is 2.3 liter, doesn't that mean it's the same engine?

Let me see if I get this right, they JUST figured out the SVT doesn't compete with "M", AMG or "S"(Audi) on level of performance and exclusivtivity. I think they knew they were selling "sub-par" cars and thought the people buyuing them were stupid or something. Imagine trying to tell someone this, "my SVT is just as good as your "M" car is, its made by the Special Vehicle Team, so there!" By the time SVT gets their act together I'll be in the market for another car and I will not be ripped off again