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SVT Lightning on Back Burner to Make Way for 2006 SVT Mustang Cobra

Dodge Ram SRT-10 to Remain Top Truck with No Competition

Ford SVT Lightning fans that fell head over heals for the SVT F-150 Lightning Concept that debuted at the 2003 Detroit auto show will now be waiting indefinitely for the production version.

Like rubbing an open wound with vinegar Dodge has not only been selling its 500 horsepower Viper V10-equipped Ram SRT-10 throughout 2004, but for 2005 it will offer a second SRT-10 model sporting a crew cab and automatic transmission, the latter necessary for towing.

Why has Ford put off building an SVT version of the hot-selling new F-150? The automaker feels an SVT Cobra

To everybody who got excited about the SVT F-150 Lightning Concept that debuted at the 2003 Detroit auto show, it looks like youll be waiting quite some time for a production version. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

Mustang based on the popular new 2005 model will be a stronger seller.

"Its a business decision," commented Alan Hall, SVT spokesman, adding that the next Lightning is being "postponed" rather than dropped altogether. Initially expected to debut in 2006, it will most likely come to market in 2008.

If you go to your local Ford

Ford has put off building an SVT version of the hot-selling new F-150 because it feels an SVT Cobra Mustang will be a stronger seller. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

dealer right now, only unsold 2004 SVT models will be available. A total of three separate vehicles wore the three letter acronym in 2004, starting with the SVT Focus. The SVT Mustang Cobra and SVT F-150 Lightning pickup truck were also available. No 2005 SVT models will be available at all.

For those hopefuls wanting to peer into the Lightnings distant future, the blue oval brands 2003 SVT Lightning concept featured a supercharged V8 engine producing in excess of 500 horsepower. The new concept showed more distinctive body work as well, with a deep front fascia incorporating massive

The 2003 SVT Lightning concept featured a supercharged V8 engine producing in excess of 500 horsepower. (Photo: Ford Motor Company)

vents, plus fender mounted engine ducts, aggressive rocker panel mouldings, an integrated tailgate spoiler, and a daring yellow leather interior, making it much more capable of competing head-on with the Dodge Ram SRT-10.

The outgoing Lightning came to market in 1993, then featuring a 240 horsepower variation on Fords 5.8-liter V8. The sport truck had limited success, but not enough for it to remain in production. It was cancelled in 1995. The following redesigned F-150 spawned a revised Lightning for model year 1999, boasting a much more capable 360 horsepower supercharged 5.4-liter V8. Power was increased to 380 in its final iteration, of which very few are still available at Ford dealers for a base price of $33,560, significantly lower than the Dodge Ram SRT-10.

The

The most recent, and apparently final iteration of the Lightning for some time, features 380-hp for a base price of $33,560. (Photo: Ford Motor Company)

word on the street is that Ford came to its decision to hold back on a new Lightning due to the exponential costs of developing and certifying a V8 that could compete directly with the Ram SRT-10s V10. Also, upgrading the new F-150s chassis and suspension components is said to be difficult and expensive. Hammering the final nail in the coffin, so to speak, is the fact a more powerful and therefore less economical F-150 would negatively affect Fords CAFE (Corporate Average Fuel Economy) ranking, which could be more expensive to the automaker over the long haul than the potential income Ford could generate from the truck.

While some might think an open playing field would make Dodge execs smile, the lack of a competitor in the niche-market super-truck segment is bad for business. Theres nothing like a little mudslinging to get noticed, just watch a few Bush vs. Kerry (and vice versa) TV ads if youre not convinced, making a worthy rival critical for ongoing segment success.

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