2002 Ford Focus SVT Review

Automakers are creating and enlarging "tuner'' divisions to transform mass-market models into special limited-production high-performance cars and trucks to enhance their image and cash in on the expanding market for specialty vehicles. Many such fun-to-drive vehicles, such as the new front-drive Ford SVT Focus, are small and fairly inexpensive. With the troublesome economy and stock market slump, that makes them increasingly attractive because they cost far less than sports cars such as the BMW Z3, Mercedes-Benz SLK and Porsche Boxster. Also, automakers want to snare coveted young drivers with small, relatively low-priced hot models such as the SVT Focus. This hatchback coupe is from Ford's elite Special Vehicle Team (SVT) tuner division, which has developed many impressive high-performance cars and trucks.

"The younger generation is embracing small, four-cylinder, front-drive cars as their performance cars in the same way the baby boomers embraced 1960s' V-8 muscle cars. This is the market we must be in,'' said John Coletti, chief engineer at Ford SVT Engineering. The $17,480 SVT Focus is based on the saucy $12,420-$14,755 Focus ZX3 two-door hatchback coupe, which has a unique look, solid construction and arguably the best front-wheel-drive chassis on the road. SVT marketing manager Tom Scarpello said the SVT Focus is "the most technologically advanced vehicle SVT has produced.'' For instance, horsepower of the ZX3's dual-overhead-camshaft, 16-valve, four-cylinder engine has been impressively increased from 130 to 170 in the SVT Focus. That's a lot of power to coax from a small 2-liter engine.

While many young folks are modifying subcompact cars such as the Focus and Honda Civic with aftermarket parts to increase power, most such people have little or no auto engineering expertise and thus their cars sorely lack reliability. Also, many such cars have dangerous handling because their suspensions are incorrectly modified and lowered to provide a racier look. And their brakes can't handle the added power. In contrast, the SVT Focus must meet durability and safety standards of Ford sedans, even though Ford knows many SVT Focus owners will drive the heck out of their car. The SVT Focus competes not only with cars modified by young drivers, but also with other factory tuner hot rods like the subcompact Volkswagen GTI and Honda Civic Si two-door hatchbacks. Car and Driver compared those cars with the SVT Focus in its March issue and found the Ford came out on top.

The SVT Focus gets its extra power from items including a dual-stage intake manifold, variable intake valve system, higher compression ratio with cast aluminum pistons and a freer-flowing exhaust. Engine durability is increased with such items as an oil cooler and forged steel connecting rods. The result is that the 135-mph Focus does 0-60 mph in 7.5 seconds and happily cruises at 85 mph. Watch the speedometer because this car is deceptively fast. The engine emits a sporty snarl and revs to a race-car-style 7,200 rpm. But high revs are needed for the best acceleration because there is insufficient power low in the engine's rev band.

Fuel economy is good, at an estimated 25 mpg in the city and 34 on highways. This is a serious driver's car, so there's no automatic transmission. Rather, power is fed through a dual-mass flywheel that reduces vibration and a heavy duty six-speed Getrag manual gearbox. If you're a lazy driver, the SVT Focus isn't for you because, for instance, the transmission must be downshifted to third or fourth gears for the best 65-75 mph passing times. The transmission needs a first-gear ratio that doesn't cause the car to momentarily bog down when moving from a standing start. And, while it generally shifts well, the gearbox gets balky when a driver is engaging reverse gear. The clutch needs a firmer feel, although it has a nice linear action.

The SVT Focus doesn't feature only fast acceleration. Rather, like all good tuner cars, it has an intelligently modified interior, suspension and brakes to handle extra power and provide more driving fun and safety. "It's more than what you feel coming through your foot,'' said Andy Slankard, SVT Focus program manager. "It's everything you see, hear and touch.

When you're driving, all your senses are involved, and we thus try to make everything as right as possible for the driver. We've taken special efforts to refine the tactile aspects of driving this car.'' Special suspension items that give the SVT Focus impressive agility include revised spring rates, larger front anti-roll bar, unique bushings and shock absorber rates--along with big 17-inch wheels and Continental ContiSportContact performance tires that are noisy but stick to the road like freshly chewed gum.

The ride won't jar tooth fillings because the suspension is supple and the 2,750-pound Focus has a long 103-inch wheelbase, with tires pulled to the far ends of the car. The ultraquick steering has just the right amount of power assist and provides decent road feel. The powerful four-wheel disc brakes provide nearly the stopping distance of exotic sports cars. The long doors are awkward in tight parking spots. But the racy looking interior easily swallows four 6-footers. The black leather-trimmed bucket seats have extensive side bolstering to keep front occupants in place during spirited driving, and circular front seatback adjusters provide precise adjustments--although they can be awkward to use.

The easily gripped leather-wrapped steering wheel seems as if yanked from a race car. But the sporty white-face gauges can be hard to read at a glance and some interior materials are marginal. Controls are large and nicely placed, and there are special oil temperature (rare for a production car) and pressure gauges. Pedals have metallic covers to enhance "heel and toe'' downshifting when moving down through the gears. The large hatch allows easy access to the low, large cargo area, which can be greatly increased by flipping the 60/40 split rear seat bottoms and seatbacks forward.

Deep interior indentations make it easy to grip the hatch when closing it without getting hands dirty on outside sheet metal. The ZX3 has adventuresome styling. But the SVT Focus looks racier with such items as unique front and rear fascias, black honeycomb front grilles and rear valance, special rocker panel moldings and a rear spoiler. While the design changes are fairly subdued, they give the SVT Focus a low, wide, road-hugging appearance.

The SVT Focus comes only in red, black, silver or blue paint, but is well-equipped. The few options include a $595 power moonroof, $675 290-watt killer sound system and $515 six-disc, in-dash CD. There's also a $395 winter option package that is well worth the money for Chicago area residents; it contains traction control, heated seats and an engine block heater. Standard safety items even include anti-lock brakes and side-impact air bags. The SVT Focus is a genuine turn-key street racer, much like the classic 1967-69 Chevrolet Camaro Z-28. And it's pretty much a steal for the money.

FORD SVT FOCUS

Price
$17,480
Likes
Unique Ford-developed hot rod. Fast. Stellar handling and braking. Roomy. Economical.
Dislikes
First-gear ratio inhibits acceleration. More power needed in lower rev range. Occasionally notchy gearbox.