Ford Introduces Hot New SVT Focus To Slay The Evil Honda!

Submitted By Bob Gordon Co-Publisher

Straight From The Horses Mouth! While you look and drool over the pictures and study the specs, you can listen to the inside story behind this new model from John Coletti, Chief Engineer and Big Kahuna of Ford's SVT Operation. Big will give you the inside story on this market segment and what Ford is doing to win it over, as well as the scoop behind Ford's reasons to build this car. If this is your kind of car don't miss the interview, it's worth your time.

(Start listening to the interview!)

Engine Specs and Configuration

Inline 4-cylinder, cast iron block, precision die-cast aluminum head, cast aluminum pistons, forged steel connecting rods, nodular cast-iron crankshaft, dual-mass flywheel

Bore x Stroke 84.8mm x 88.0mm (3.34 in. x 3.46 in.)

Displacement 1,988cc; 121 cu. in.

Compression ratio 10.2:1

Horsepower 170 hp @ 7,000 rpm

Torque 145 lb.-ft. @ 5,500 rpm

Specific output 85 horsepower per liter

Redline 7,300 rpm

Valvetrain Double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, variable cam timing on intake camshaft

Intake valves Two per cylinder, 33.5mm head diameter

Exhaust valves Two per cylinder, 28mm head diameter

Ignition system Distributorless

Fuel system Sequential electronic fuel injection

Intake manifold Dual-stage

Exhaust manifold Stainless steel tubular 4-2-1 tuned headers

Exhaust system Under-body-only catalyst, 58mm (2.28-in.) diameter exhaust pipe, with 75mm (2.95-in.) polished chrome exhaust tip

Clutch Hydralic actuation with dual-mass flywheel

Transaxle Getrag? 6-speed manual, twin-layshaft design

Driveshafts High strength, solid output shafts

Gear Overall Ratio

1st 12.7 2nd 7.7 3rd 5.7 4th 4.6 5th 3.8 6th 3.1 Reverse 12.0 Final drive 2.88 / 4.25

Front SVT-tuned independent MacPherson struts with angled coil spring/damper units and lower A-arms in optimized double horizontal bushings mounted on separate front subframe; 22mm roll bar

Rear SVT-tuned independent SLA system with one upper and two lower arms plus additional twist-plate longitudinal link, separate vertical damper units; 21mm roll bar

Type Rack and pinion, power assist Turns, lock to lock 3.0 Turning diameter 35.8 ft.

Front 300mm vented disc, single-piston caliper Rear 280mm vented disc, single-piston caliper ABS Four-channel, four-sensor system

Wheels 17 x 7 in., five-spoke, aluminum alloy Tires 215/45ZR-17

Driver and passenger air bags; front side-impact air bags

Anti-lock brake system (ABS)

Front fog lamps

SecuriLock? passive anti-theft system

Leather-wrapped, 4-spoke, tilt/telescoping steering wheel

Aluminum gearshift knob with leather accent �

Leather-wrapped parking brake lever

Leather-wrapped four-spoke tilt steering wheel, thicker section-width rim

Leather boots on shift and parking brake levers

AM/FM stereo, single-disc CD player �

Front bucket seats with power up/down adjustment, rotary recliner adjustment

60/40 split rear seat with fold-down back and flip-up cushions, three head restraints

Dual remote control outside heated mirrors

Power side windows, door locks, deck lid release

Remote keyless illuminated entry

Rear window defroster

Air-conditioning (manual control)y

Speed control

Floor mats Winter Package: traction control, heated seats, engine block heater

Audiophile Stereo System: 6-disc in-dash stereo, premium speakers, amplifier, and eight-inch subwoofer

Power sunroof

Exterior Sonic Blue (Cool New Color), Infra-Red, CD Silver, Pitch Black

Interior Blue or red cloth seating surfaces with black leather trim

Wheelbase 103.0 in. (2,615mm)

Length 168.1 in. (4,270mm)

Height 56.3 in. (1,430mm)

Width 66.9 in. (1,699mm)

Track, f/r 58.8 in. (1,494mm) / 58.5 in. (1,486mm)

Head Room 39.3 in. (998mm) / 38.7 in. (983mm)

Front Leg Room 43.1 in. (1,095mm)

Curb weight 2770 lbs.

Fuel capacity 13.2 gallons (50 liters)

Weight distribution 61/39