For those who havent heard already, SVT has been disbanded.

You can sign this petition if you want, but I doubt Ford is willing to listen to anyone. They never do. The old bags at corporate Ford still think AWD/turbo/Rally thing is just a European fad.

http://www.petitiononline.com/savesvt/petition.html

Let it die, then the value of our vehicles go up and alla sudden were driving collectors

(trying to be optomistic about it)[;)]

well wait a minute, so now is the Cobra going away too? I thought they were just taking a year off to develop a more dominating Cobra for the new platform??? This blows, everytime I see a Cobra on the road I just stare at it. If they are completely closing the SVT line then Ford is really going to the crapper, and fast.

Where is the news that they are officially canning all of SVT? I thought Cobra was still a go? I've only seen press releases on the Lightning being canned, but it said Cobra was still on the way.

damn this sucks! why does ford have to scrap something as soon as us automobile people start to like it.
And i dont see how it could help in any way to can the SVT project, cause they were selling cars really well.

Everything I have heard is that the entire SVT program is NOT dead. They have scrapped the Lightning and the Focus but NOT the Cobra.

It was reported to us by a fellow SVTOA member in Michigan who is "close to the action". I didnt bother asking who told him, because he cannot disclose his identity or who told him what. He put out the word early so people would be aware and SVTOA members would speak out and be vocal. It is also being reported in Blue Oval News, Modular Fords, & SVT Performance. The Cobra may be in danger now too. Ofcourse, Ford could at any time switch things up on us.

The word is, if that SVT is dissolved, production of the Cobra could continue in the future, but it wouldnt be an "SVT Cobra". The bean counters at Ford believe that the economy is heading toward long term recession, and they dont think SVT is costworthy

What is gong on, this is so messed up. I dont understand why ford is doing this. I hope they dont think the new mustang is going to satisfy all the performance buffs out there, meaning they can get rid of there svt program. And i hope they still keep the program becuase i was really waiting to see the new svt mustang, vette competitor, that they were going to make. I mean they still have the otheres like roush and saleen but their cars are very expensive. I hope they think twice about what they are doing.

Originally posted by DrkKnight614
What is gong on, this is so messed up. I dont understand why ford is doing this. becuase i was really waiting to see the new svt mustang, vette competitor, that they were going to make. I mean they still have the otheres like roush and saleen but their cars are very expensive.
Take "SVT" and throw it in the trash. The SVT boys could NEVER compete w/the Vette and the Viper. Only 1 name could do that.
Carroll Shelby
If you havn't heard...he is working on a Ford Expedition 500hp+ sick as hell. I say "F" SVT and let Shelby have a go at his Cobra and see what happens!!!

Hell, he beat the piss out of Vettes w/Fords back in the 60's why not let him have another go at it?

Cheers.
Tim

Damn that sucks i was waiting to get enouph money for a new svt but i guess im just wasting my time with ford they can never make their minds up.

I'll wait until I hear something a little more official before flying off the handle just yet. It's not even confirmed and already people (well, just flat 4, really) are saying "good riddance" as though the cars they built were sucky pieces of shit. Gimme a break.

If it's true, I'm really disappointed in Ford's strategy here: hmm... lessee, we had three good viable performance vehicles that people liked. So good in fact, that competitors sprung up like Dodge's SRT division. Then, rather than keep pace with the new competitors, they killed the Focus, now are apparently shelving the Lightning, and lastly may kill the SVT name altogether. Which is pretty much like if two dogs meet and face off, and the loser rolls over and exposes his belly to the other to say "okay you win, I'm subservient to you." Way to go Ford.

For all the great stuff that Shelby can no doubt do for a vehicle I'm betting they wont be anything that the majority of us can afford. The type of people that can pay 3 digits for a car probably are not the same people that will put them to good use. If Ford gets rid of SVT in favor of some $100,000 powerhouse name it would be IMO a tremendous mistake. I'm a loyalist customer and had every intention of purchasing another SVT (the L or the Cobra) for my next buy. If they shelve the SVT line I'm positive I'll go elsewhere.

First off i work for Ford, in the Powertrains Research and Development lab, 2nd SVT is not dead, they are re- tooling for the 2006 model year in which a new Cobra and Lightning will be built. Yes 04 was the last yr for the focus. SVT dropped it cause they wanted to Focus (haha) on strong fast performance cars. which is a great thing. the focus is not and was never a performance car, even with the SVT badge. Expect around 450hp from the Cobra and 500 from the lightning. And dont think that Ford turns their heads on AWD. With the introduction of the 500 and freestyle, awd sytems are gonna start to be a regular on Fords. And that means an AWD Focus is in development with a projected release around 07-08 model yr. maybe sooner. Thats all i can say.

So put your anger aside and be patient.

The word from Autoweek (go to their website) is that Ford has given up on low end profit margin SVT's. In other words the Focus and the Lightning don't make enough profit to justify their existance. The SVT Cobra is on till 2007 or 2008. The $140,000 GT has lots of profit built in. Expect to see more high-end $ Fords come out as SVT.

Originally posted by Twilight Blue ZX3
the focus is not and was never a performance car, even with the SVT badge.

I'm sorry but I have to respectfully disagree with that. A car does not need to have a V8 engine or a crapload of horsepower to be a "performance" car.

Originally posted by Twilight Blue ZX3
And dont think that Ford turns their heads on AWD. With the introduction of the 500 and freestyle, awd sytems are gonna start to be a regular on Fords. And that means an AWD Focus is in development with a projected release around 07-08 model yr. maybe sooner. Thats all i can say.

So put your anger aside and be patient.

Yes, I WILL think that FORD North America turns its head to AWD.
If they had a Focus platform that could even support it I might think differently. But it seems they are too funking stupid (or cheap assed) to use the C1 platform that could actually support AWD or RWD vehicles. Only Mazda and Volvo will use it in N. America.
So by your intonation you are saying that we here in N. America will see an AWD Focus within 2 years? I guess they could cobble some shite together to pacify fat assed Amercians while the Euro Focus takes a major leap into the future.
If you have ever been to Europe and driven Ford products over there YOU too would be angry with the crap that they try and shovel upon the N. American car buying public. [?|]

I may be wrong but I heard they were not going to be coming out with the Cobra any more cause that is made by SVT but instead they got that Shelby guy back (whats his name?) and the new kick ass performance enhanced mustang (what ever you want to call it) is going to be the new Shelby Mustangs. This is what I heard, I know for a fact they got the Shelby guy back but maybe some one can clarify this more.

Yes thats what im saying, 3-4yrs only its gonna be a new platform. If ford produces shit why do you own a Focus????

To get back to the original topic, I won't be signing the petition. Regardless of whether or not it even has a point (we don't know for sure what Ford's plans are), I don't agree with everything it says and frankly it's not a compelling enough or well-written enough argument that I want to add my name to that list.

Originally posted by flat 4
Yes, I WILL think that FORD North America turns its head to AWD.
If they had a Focus platform that could even support it I might think differently. But it seems they are too funking stupid (or cheap assed) to use the C1 platform that could actually support AWD or RWD vehicles. Only Mazda and Volvo will use it in N. America.
So by your intonation you are saying that we here in N. America will see an AWD Focus within 2 years? I guess they could cobble some shite together to pacify fat assed Amercians while the Euro Focus takes a major leap into the future.
If you have ever been to Europe and driven Ford products over there YOU too would be angry with the crap that they try and shovel upon the N. American car buying public. [?|]

SVT isn't going away. The cycle plan that lead to the new F150 and the new Mustang coming out in back-to-back model years meant the SVT pipeline had run dry. SVT has to wait until the final product hits the market place to begin working on their variations.

But as for an AWD Focus, the Focus in NA is barely a breakeven product. The SVTF didn't sell well, and that is why they got rid of it. The company can't invest millions in a completely new platform in the US and put out AWD if the public isn't willing to pay for it. You and the rest of FF may love the vehicle and want an AWD C1 variant, but the other 99% of the US customers don't. They want a cheap as hell method of transportation that costs less and less (in real dollars) with each passing year. I do wish they imported some Focus RSs from Europe, but the economics of beefing up the Focus line just aren't there.

The last that I had heard about the Shelby project was that Ford was going to one-off the Cobra concept that they unveiled earlier this year, doing away with the roadster concept - adding windows and a roof.

SVT is great. The fact is this: I am not a Ford guy by my nature. My next new automobile will probably be whatever Chevy gets around to replacing the F-Body with. However, SVT brought me in. They take a very high-tech approach to everything. They pay attention to current trends (superchargers, vvt) and implement them in their vehicles.

Carroll Shelby, on the other hand, takes a very simple view of performance: Cram as much displacement into as tiny an automobile as you can, while balancing the front and rear. Drop that automobile as close to the ground as you can manage, and put the tightest suspension you can find under there. Put some fat tires on the back and rock. You have to respect that. You also have to realize that every time Carroll Shelby has come in to bail a company out with some performance, that company has totally molested whatever car he put his touch on. It happened with the Sunbeam, the Mustang and the Viper.

who said the focus isnt a performance car you have to be kidding me...

What I don't understand is why they just don't bring the RS over to the US. I know it has to do alot with emmesions but nothing that can't be fixed by straping on a bunch of emisions crap on it couldn't fix. Then the people that mess with there cars can strip it off and basicly have the euro RS. Some say the price is too high for the US but an AWD rally inspired Focus that runs in the low 5's 0-60 and can hang with damn near anything out there I think is worth $30K.

Originally posted by sidney61199
What I don't understand is why they just don't bring the RS over to the US. I know it has to do alot with emmesions but nothing that can't be fixed by straping on a bunch of emisions crap on it couldn't fix. Then the people that mess with there cars can strip it off and basicly have the euro RS. Some say the price is too high for the US but an AWD rally inspired Focus that runs in the low 5's 0-60 and can hang with damn near anything out there I think is worth $30K.

If you did just a straight exchange rate calculation on a Focus RS it came close to $35k. That is a non-starter with no AWD. It wasn't just emissions that led them to not bring the RS and the new C1 platform to the US. It is basic economics - people in Europe are willing to pay top dollar for gas sippers. We aren't in the US due to our cheap gas. Crash standards in Europe are also muchmore lax than they are here. That's why, even though the old platforms for the Focus were the same, they were two completely different cars.

While most consumers see the same car and little to no issues in bringing cars from different markets into the US, the industry and the regulators do. If you wanted to import an RS from Europe you would have to spend so many thousands of dollars in upgrading it (crash, emissions, etc) that it would be cost prohibitive.

It always cracks me up when people say "it can't be done becuase of emmisions!" If Subaru can bring over a 300 hp turbocharged STi that meets US specs then FoMoCo COULD bring over a 225hp Focus IF they wanted to. Hell, FoMoCo was trying to sell Euro pack. SVT Foci for $23,000!!! I could buy an AWD 225hp WRX for that much cha-ching.
Well, I guess Subaru just is that much more dedicated to making "sport" cars vs. Ford.
Cheers.

Originally posted by sidney61199
What I don't understand is why they just don't bring the RS over to the US. I know it has to do alot with emmesions but nothing that can't be fixed by straping on a bunch of emisions crap on it couldn't fix. Then the people that mess with there cars can strip it off and basicly have the euro RS. Some say the price is too high for the US but an AWD rally inspired Focus that runs in the low 5's 0-60 and can hang with damn near anything out there I think is worth $30K.

I would never buy Focus for $30K. Focus is supposed to be a starter car. For 30K I rather go buy something nicer like WRX, EVO, or even a nice SUV.

Originally posted by denzillion
I would never buy Focus for $30K. Focus is supposed to be a starter car. For 30K I rather go buy something nicer like WRX, EVO, or even a nice SUV.

Omitting aesthetics, that is an acceptable strategy, unless you factor in that the WRX and EVO are both built off "starter" cars, as you call them. The Impreza and the Lancer fall into the same class as the Focus SE, which would imply, to me, that a full-on performance car capable of keeping up with the aforementioned automobiles should be priced in the same general range as those automobiles. Call me crazy. [?|]

Anyone got times on the RS? 0-60 and 1/4 mile, maybe skid pad too? Thanks.

With the SVT gone, then the cosworth foci won't have to worry about mixing markets here in the US, so hopefully they will bring these back into the states like they did way back when. I'd much rather have a cosworth over an SVT anyday.

Originally posted by jsidious
Omitting aesthetics, that is an acceptable strategy, unless you factor in that the WRX and EVO are both built off "starter" cars, as you call them. The Impreza and the Lancer fall into the same class as the Focus SE, which would imply, to me, that a full-on performance car capable of keeping up with the aforementioned automobiles should be priced in the same general range as those automobiles. Call me crazy. [?|]

TRUE.

I think it would be nice if we get an awd turbo ralley over here. And it does suck that they are killing the svt.

One thing to think about is if they did come out with a Super Charged Cobra or a Shelby Mustang based on the new model. How do you improve on 0-60 in 5 flat? I guess they could give it wings. I've seen pics of the interior. I don't care if they were trying to go retro or not, it is butt ugly.

FYI for everyone bitching about AWD and Turbo power....
Just in case noone is aware that Mazda ( owned by Ford ) is bringing an AWD- 2.3 liter Turbo- 276 Hp Mazdaspeed 6 to the US next year. We can probably ASSUME that this 2.3 liter started it's life as the same 2.3L Duratech found in our beloved Foci. So the way I see it, the new for Europe only Focus RS will come to the states as a Mazdaspeed 6.
Hope this sheds some light....
L8R

I forgot about that. Yes that wil be a bad ass car when it comes out.

For those who continue to predict the end of SVT, read the following announcement: http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/041119/nyf028_1.html

I know Hau personally. I work with him on a monthly basis as part of the campus relations team for our alma mater. He's got racing in his blood and would never let SVT die. The company is behind him and SVT, and you will begin to see more products on the way as the SVT group is able to catch up with the massive product turnover of the last two years.

Originally posted by lwnslw
FYI for everyone bitching about AWD and Turbo power....
Just in case noone is aware that Mazda ( owned by Ford ) is bringing an AWD- 2.3 liter Turbo- 276 Hp Mazdaspeed 6 to the US next year.

Screw the hp, the torque is even better! 280-ft-lbs early on in the torque curve because this bad-ass car is gasoline direct injection!!!! DI is the way to go...