"AutoWeek"
As far as we can tell, no one outside of Ford has any idea exactly what lurks under the hood of this latest Focus from the company’s Special Vehicle Team. And the people inside Ford aren’t exactly talking.
“This is a work in progress to maintain our standing in the performance vehicle niche,” says SVT PR man Alan Hall. “We will guard our turf.”
So whatever they’re cooking up under that monster hood scoop we’re not certain. The current SVT Focus, introduced in April as a three-door, runs a Cosworth-tuned 170-horsepower version of the same 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that powers everyday Focuses. A five-door SVT Focus joins the showroom later this year.
For what it’s worth, the SVT guys were running their latest work against competitive vehicles like the Volkswagen 337 GTI and the Honda Civic Type-R, as well as the complete stable of SVT products. The 337 GTI boasts a 180-hp 1.8-liter turbo, while the not-for-U.S.-sale Type-R makes 200 hp.
One possible explanation: Maybe Ford has decided to move ahead with the four-wheel-drive 300-hp Focus Cosworth shown in Los Angeles in 1999.
As Ford was announcing the creation of a new Performance Group, SVT engineers were road-testing their latest creations in Death Valley. (Photo by John Johnson)
As far as we can tell, no one outside of Ford has any idea exactly what lurks under the hood of this latest Focus from the company’s Special Vehicle Team. And the people inside Ford aren’t exactly talking.
“This is a work in progress to maintain our standing in the performance vehicle niche,” says SVT PR man Alan Hall. “We will guard our turf.”
So whatever they’re cooking up under that monster hood scoop we’re not certain. The current SVT Focus, introduced in April as a three-door, runs a Cosworth-tuned 170-horsepower version of the same 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that powers everyday Focuses. A five-door SVT Focus joins the showroom later this year.
For what it’s worth, the SVT guys were running their latest work against competitive vehicles like the Volkswagen 337 GTI and the Honda Civic Type-R, as well as the complete stable of SVT products. The 337 GTI boasts a 180-hp 1.8-liter turbo, while the not-for-U.S.-sale Type-R makes 200 hp.
One possible explanation: Maybe Ford has decided to move ahead with the four-wheel-drive 300-hp Focus Cosworth shown in Los Angeles in 1999.
As Ford was announcing the creation of a new Performance Group, SVT engineers were road-testing their latest creations in Death Valley. (Photo by John Johnson)