Was it a dream or....

By Tom O’Connor
West Coast Automotive Editor

PASADENA, California -- Imagine a beautiful spring day in southern California. It’s early in the morning, the sky is blue, the temperature is in the low 70's and your driving a shiny, bright metallic red, 2003 Ford Mustang Cobra convertable along the quiet, winding Angeles Crest Highway in the mountains North of Pasadena.

Now take the image up a level and imagine that sitting in the passenger seat next to you is John Coletti, Ford’s SVT (Special Vehicle Team) chief engineer and program director. With the knowledge and confidence of a master, John enthusiastically describes how Ford’s state-of-the-art and leading edge racing technology have been infused into the SVT Cobra to create the safest, yet most responsive, comfortable and highest output production Mustang ever developed.

Now visualize the ear-to-ear smile on your face as you shift through the Cobra’s 6-speed manual transmission, and feel the burst of pure power as the Cobra’s IV Generation Eaton supercharged and intercooled, 4.6-liter, DOHC 4-valve, V-8 engine pushes you back into the seat as it instantly delivers as much of its 390 horsepower and 390 foot-pounds of torque as you can handle.

With the smile still in place, and with adrenaline pumping, experience the seemingly perfect synthesis of man, car and road as you effortlessly maneuver the ultra responsive Cobra through mountain switch-backs and down straightaways. It doesn’t get any better.

These are the images that many driving enthusiasts dream of and that only a few experience. Recently, I was privileged to have been among a small group of automotive journalists that were invited to attend a Ford Performance Ride and Drive featuring the SVT Cobra Mustang, SVT F-Series Lightning and SVT Focus, as well as Ford’s new 2.3 liter Focus PZEV (partial zero emission vehicle).

As you may have guessed, my favorite SVT was the Cobra Mustang, That being said, the other SVT vehicles brought smiles to my face and adrenaline to my veins as well. Here is a brief overview on the SVT line.

The SVT line was initially launched in 1992 at the Chicago Auto Show with the introduction of the 1993 SVT Mustang Cobra and SVT F-150 Lightning. The SVT Focus was added to the line in 2001. Since 1992 over 100,000 SVT vehicles have been manufactured .

John Coletti, Director of the Special Vehicle Team since 1994, is a down to earth, charismatic man who instantly strikes you as being highly devoted, enthusiastic and passionate about his team and the quality product they produce. John explained that the team is committed to constant improvement and that each SVT vehicle must meet the groups core values of Performance, Substance, Exclusivity and Value. He defined the values as follows:
Performance means more than just increased power. The team strives for improved road dynamics by reaching a balance between engine, suspension and braking systems. The goal is not merely to build an engine that is bigger and more powerful, but rather to produce one that is more efficient and then to combine that power with a with highly tuned suspension, transmission and braking systems to produce a vehicle that delivers an enhanced performance driving experience.

Substance means character and quality that is built in, not just added on - design that is unique to the vehicle and readily identifiable.

Exclusivity not only refers to the fact that these are limited production vehicles, with typically less than 5000 vehicles per model produced in a given year, but that they are available only from a limited number of SVT certified dealers who employ specially trained technicians and staff to satisfy the most serious driving enthusiast.

And lastly, Value, which Coletti defines as more than just sticker price. It is the Team’s ability to produce a highly tuned, well balanced and tested performance vehicle at a fraction of the cost that one would expend in making aftermarket modifications - plus the extra value that flows from the SVT Premium Service, membership in the SVT Owners Association, factory certificates of authenticity, special SVT merchandise and much more.

SVT Highlights for 2003:

SVT COBRA MUSTANG: With ten generations of SVT Cobra Mustangs in production, this car rightfully takes its place as Ford’s flagship performance car – the most powerful production Mustang ever produced. With a MSRP of under $35,000, it also offers consumers more horsepower for the money than any other premium sports coupe.

This years Cobra has been redesigned from the ground up. The Cobra is available as a coupe or as a convertable. Product highlights include: a supercharged and intercooled 4.6 liter, DOHC V8 engine that delivers both 390 h.p. at 6000 rpm and 390 ft. lbs. of torque at 3500 rpm; cast-iron block; forged-steel crankshaft with new Manley forged "H-beam" connecting rods; forged pistons; aluminum alloy cylinder heads; an aluminum flywheel; six speed TTC T-56 transmission; 3.55:1 rear axle ratio; independent rear suspension; upgraded springs, bushings and an additional tubular cross-brace to accommodate the higher loading from increased output; gas-charged monotube Bilstein dampers; new front bucket seats have Nudo leather trim and Preferred suede inserts; the driver’s seat has standard six-way power, plus new power-adjustable thigh and side bolsters, and power lumbar support; a redesigned instrument cluster with a boost gauge and titanium-color gauge faces; and lightweight composite material hood and rear deck lid.

SVT F-150 LIGHTNING: In it’s eight year of production, the 2003 SVT F-150 Lightning is the ultimate sport truck and reigns as the world's fastest factory-produced pickup. This truck is well-balanced, has a solid feel and ride, has very responsive steering and powerful anti-lock brakes. Powered by a 5.4-liter SOHC Triton V-8 fitted with an intercooled Eaton IV Generation supercharger, which produces 380 horsepower at 4,750 rpm and 450 foot-pounds of torque at 3,250 rpm this truck is pure attitude.

Other features include: four-speed automatic transmission; an aluminum driveshaft for increased strength; a 9-inch traction-lock differential with a 3.73:1 gear ratio; Bilstein gas-charged shocks; unique chassis tuning that lowers the Lightning 2 inches in the rear and 1.5 inches in the front to improve handling and create a more aggressive appearance; increased cargo capacity from 800 to 1,400 pounds; driver and passenger front air bags with an on/off switch for the passenger-side air bag.

SVT FOCUS: With it’s best in class driving dynamics, the Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) 2003 SVT Focus, competes strongly in the import dominated compact performance market. New in 2003 are the European Appearance Package and five door hatchback version which is based on the Focus ZX5 body style. This car is a ZX3 on steroids.

The SVT Focus is powered by a 2.0-liter, DOHC I-4 Ford Zetec engine, which has been modified from its standard 130 hp at 5,300 rpm and 135 foot-pounds of torque at 4,500 rpm to produce 170 horsepower and 145 foot-pounds of torque.

Major modification to the engine include: new forged-steel connecting rods and lightweight, cast-aluminum pistons; an increased compression from 9.6:1 to 10.2:1; enlarged intake ports in the aluminum cylinder head; 1.5mm larger, 33.5mm. Intake valves; the intake and exhaust valve springs have been stiffened by 27 percent and 19 percent, respectively, raising the engine's redline to rise from 6,750 to 7,200 rpm; the intake camshaft is equipped with an electro-mechanical control mechanism; dual-stage intake manifold, which improves peak power output.

The standard six-speed manual transaxle, developed by the German manufacturer, Getrag, is fully synchronized in all six forward gears, plus reverse.

Significant modifications have been made to the 2003 SVT Focus’s suspension and steering including the selection of stiffer front and rear springs; front and rear solid stabilizer bars; and retuned shock absorbers with softened impact harshness and improved roll damping. The improved power rack-and-pinion steering system has also been retuned to give the driver a better sense of feel and control. The SVT Focus is outfitted with Continental 215/45R-17 ContiSportContact tires, and has power four-wheel disc brakes with a four-channel, four-sensor anti-lock system. The specially manufactured brakes with oversized rotors and single piston calipers provide the 2003 SVT Focus with excellent braking power.

As with all SVT Models, the SVT Focus comes equipped with Ford Motor Company's Personal Safety System as standard equipment.

We can all dream, but for the enthusiast, the only way to truly appreciate the unique performance, power, styling and features of any of the Ford SVT line is to see, touch, feel, and if possible, drive one. But be careful, this kind of power and performance can be habit forming - and for some, it only takes one drive to get hooked.

For more information visit the Ford website at ford.com or Call Toll Free: 1-800-392-3673(FORD); TDD for the hearing impaired:1-800-232-5952, Monday - Friday 7 AM - 11 PM EST, Saturday 8 AM - 6 PM EST.

LIFE’S A TRIP - Enjoy the drive. Be a safe and courteous driver, obey all highway laws, buckle everyone up and never drive impaired. Copyright © 2003 The Weekend Drive, All Rights Reserved.