Found this on Brad's mustang site, some nice info on the future of svt. Linked to BON (Blue oval News)

Svt News

http://warnerrobert.com/ubb/ultimate...;f=10;t=002499

 

The links are broken. It appears you highlighted and then "copy and pasted" the links. Try right clicking the link and clicking "save link to clipboard," then pasting the link instead.

 

Crap!, Ok theyre working now, thanx !

 

Here's the story from BON member ehaase.


posted 03. December 2003 09:22 PM
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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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This has been on the Corral for a few weeks now, as far as the image thing and SVT staying

 

hmm...so they are gonna put the cobra motor they have now into the Mach 1? That means the next Camaro is gonna have to even worry about that now. So even if we get the base 400hp vette motor they will have the 390hp supercharged(easy to mod the hell out off) engine. If we wanna beat the Mach one we are gonna need more then the base vette engine it looks.

 

Of course, if we take a cue from some of our Ford friends in the last couple of threads, we could say.....

Next Mach 1? Next Cobra? We can't speculate! Fantasy cars!

But really, no one knows for sure what motor the next Mach1 will have...or if there will be a Mach 1...or will it be Boss or Shelby....or whatever?

The conventional wisdom is that the car that'll take Mach1's position will have about 350 hp. There was word of a 5.0, 4v, mod motor...but those plans have apparently been scrapped. A 3v 5.4 is a contender..........however......

The current Cobra's S/C 4.6 is being revised for use in the '05 Marauder. S/C'd mules have been spotted and superchargers with "Marauder" cast into them have been reported by suppliers . It is said that power will be reduced to about 350 or so....but torque will go up.

Colletti is on record saying that all the SVT developed powertrains will be left on Ford's parts shelf to use...once SVT products move on to newer, more powerful ones.
So,I wouldn't be surprised to see this motor used in more than one application.

 

Nice to see confirmation on the 200hp turbo Focus, a much needed entry in that lineup.

 

Yeah, me too. The current SVT Focus is a nice package....but it really needs more power to be competitive. I'm not usually hung up on absolute horsepower numbers....I take a more "total performance" approach. But the SVT Focus would be alot more fun to drive if you didn't need to always buzz it around redline to make it go fast.

Sounds like the turbo Focus ST will address that.

 

Nobody knows for sure....wise words indeed.

The 5.0 is an issue because of cyliner bore spacing (or more correctly....lack there of). The 5.4 has been an issue with the SN95 chassis because it does not easily fit in the current engine bay. That may or may not be a problem with the new chassis....though it wouldn't surprise me if it still is....that thing is w i d e.

 

Good glad to hear this. SVT is my generations Shelby. It would suck to see it close its doors. I’d love to work there one of these days. I like how Ford lets SVT do just about anything it wants. Shows that Ford has *****. I’m hoping when the GMHP division start moving with new vehicles it will be able to compare to the cool stuff coming out of SVT. I’m not saying GM can compare with Ford in any means, I’m saying that SVT is probably the best performance divining among all the automakers.

I’m also very excited about the next BOSS. I hope the have “grabber” colors. One of my favorite muscle cars is the ‘70 Boss.

 

Z284ever-The MACH1 will return in the 05 model line-up.A very trusted member (on BON) stated this.He is sometimes looked at as god or NoNameBrand..
If your wanting to know what engine thats planned look at the Marauder.350hp level 03 snake power plant.It gives you a hint.