Car Connection SVT article

"SVT Still Kicking, Ford Says

With no cars currently on the market, there’ve been plenty of rumors working their way through the industry grapevine about the future of Ford Motor Co.’s high-performance SVT unit. But “reports of its demise have been greatly exaggerated,” the head of the brand-within-a-brand told TheCarConnection.com, lifting a turn-of-phrase from Mark Twain. “We’d hate to give up on the brand equity we’ve established over the last 10 years,” insisted Hau Thai-Tang, the new boss of SVT, who until recently led the development of the new, retro-styled Mustang. An SVT version of the Mustang will be unveiled at the upcoming New York Auto Show, said Thai-Tang, and though he wouldn’t confirm production plans, sources told TCC it’s a bit more than a year away. Several other possible SVT models are under consideration, with an emphasis on adding a more mainstream product, such as a high-performance Fusion sedan.

SVT’s current hiatus was not due to problems with the unit, Thai-Tang insisted, but simply the result of limited resources being shifted to the development of the Ford GT supercar. Going forward, SVT intends to return to its roots, the Vietnamese-born executive explained during an exclusive interview. It will focus on building high-performance, limited-volume products with “substance” and value. But rather than putting a premium on off-the-line acceleration, future SVT models will likely strive to have broader appeal, much like the vehicles sold by European high-performance brands, such as BMW’s M line. That means they’ll have to handle and stop as well as they launch at a light, said Thai-Tang. Do not expect an SVT version of every Ford division product, sources report, though it is possible SVT may eventually lend its name to products sold by other Ford Motor Co. divisions.

Meanwhile, Ford is likely to develop other high-performance options. It is expected to expand its ties to Shelby Motors, the tuner firm run by racing legend and longtime Ford consultant Carroll Shelby, as well as Saleen Motors, the California firm best known for its customized Mustang models."

Sounds good to me. It mostly confirms what I've been hearing.

 

Interesting. When is the New York Auto Show?

 

John Colleti has a serious background in drag racing, and that background was obvious at SVT. SVT's purpose and direction has changed somewhat from a narrow focus on acceleration performance and exclusiveness to more well rounded performance over a broader band.

Hau Thai-Tang is a Mustang fanatic who rivals even Fbodfather. Like Fbod, his enthusiasm began at a very early age. The new Mustang is his engineering handiwork. Actually, more accurately, he headed the engineering team for the new Mustang, then got promoted to the head of Team Mustang, then got moved over to SVT. Should make for some intresting Mustangs in 2 years (or the 2nd year Cobra replacement) when his influence hits the streets.

Though the Ford GT no doubt played a bit of havoc on their budget, another reason SVT is missing-in-action is because all their products have been redesigned. The F150 and Mustang are all new. Also, SVT has a unofficial position (via Colletti) that it's not going to be 2nd place in their market.

The F150 Lightning isn't going to happen as per original schedule because what it's going to take to put the Lightning's performance above the SRT10 Ram is going to wreck Ford's truck CAFE. Unlike Chrysler, Ford isn't selling lots full of PT Cruisers (classified as trucks by the EPA) to average out the sales of a high powered and heavier Lightning.

The Focus SVT will likely come back in a different version.

The SVT Mustang, as mentioned, will be on display this season. It's guaranteed to be a shocker on power output. Think quicker...alot quicker.... than an LS2 C6 Corvette.

SVT will also expand to at least 2 other models I am aware of, including an SUV. There will be a performance version of the FiveHundred, but I'm not sure if it's going to be from SVT or Ford Performance (makers of the Mach 1 & Merc Maurader).

SVT never died. Heck, they weren't even on "Hiatus".

 

March 25 to April 3.

 

Word I heard is that there's no auto tranny in Ford's part bin that'll live behind the SC 5.4. And they're not planning on developing one anytime soon.

Cobra has no problem as it is a Tremec T-56 car only.



It should be a low 12 car easy. At low boost.



Yup. It just looked that way for a second with it getting whittled down to 1 vehicle and with the overall bad shape Ford was in after Jac.

 

if they keep the price down around $40,000 ,I may have to trade up to a SVT stang if it hits the mark guy says it will.

 

"A lot quicker?" that must mean they chopped off some weight, as well