Comparing stock versus stock vehicles, a new SVT Focus will NOT outrun a 5-spd equipped V6 Contour/Mystique that is in a proper state of tune in a straight line.
Again, referring to Car & Driver, from a standing start, the SVT Focus should hit 60 mph in 7.8 seconds, versus 7.6 seconds for a Contour/Mystique.
Given that an SVT Focus would right now have little mileage, and perhaps not be developing a full 170 hp at the crank due to it's tight new engine, a well maintained V6 MTX Contique should me able to SMOKE it.
I just test drove an SVT Focus last Friday, and I'll stand by my previous statement - that being that this car will most certainly outcorner and outhandle ANY Contour or Mystique, SVT or not, stock or modded.
But in a straight line, SVT Focus ain't going to scare too many people.
If you don't launch cleanly, you're even more of a sitting duck. The rolling start times for an SVT Focus are pretty ugly, as it seems that the heavy flywheel doesn't seem to want to spool the engine up very quickly at all.
At my local SVT dealership in Ottawa, any SVT Contour that comes in as a trade, or even a V6 5-speed non-SVT is usually snapped up within a couple of days.
Though, they had 14 SVT Focus' on their lot as of Friday, last week, and are already willing to discount the car $3000 Canadian just to unload a few.
Smart shoppers' pattern emerging here?
:rolleyes:
