Will Ford bring back the SVO?

GM vice-chairman Bob Lutz recently caused quite a stir amoung muscle car fans when he suggested that the Camaro could one day sport a turbocharged four cylinder engine. Critics say this is preposterous. I say it's been done before!

The original Ford SVO, built between 1984 and 1986 has a distinct cult following to this day. It was powered by a 2.3L four cylinder turbocharged/intercooled fuel injected engine and was designed by Ford to be a "driver's car." The car featured many specs and unique styling attributes that make it drastically different from your average GT, but with similar performance with half the cylinders.

Some of it's unique features included:

WC T-5 manual transmission with unique gear ratios
7.5" 3.73 ratio Traction Lok axle (1984 models had a 3.45 ratio)
Hurst shifter
Functional hood scoop
Functional air dam with integrated fog lamps
"European" grill-less front end
Unique headlight arrangement
Unique tail lights (later used on the 1993 Mustang Cobra)
Functional biplane spoiler
Flares ("spats") in front of rear wheels
Unique sail panels
Wider track than a standard Mustang
Improved suspension geometry
Koni adjustable shocks
Large 4 wheel disc brakes
16x7" 5-lug aluminum wheels
Goodyear Gatorback tires (NCT tires on 1984 models)
Unique charcoal trim interior
8000 RPM tachometer and "illegal" 140 MPH speedometer
"Recaro style" seats
Suede-effect dash panels
Leather trimmed controls
Repositioned pedals to facilitate heel-and-toe shifting
Dead pedal for driver stability during high speed cornering
Fuel octane switch to modify boost level and fuel map
All power and convenience options standard

Unfortunately the SVO missed it's sales target of 10,000 cars per year, selling only 9,844 in it's entire production run. This was due in large part to it's $6000 price premium over a standard GT.

Naturally after Lutz's comments and Ford's announcement that it may build an Ecoboost V6 turbocharged Mustang there is a lot of speculation that Ford could bring back the SVO. I say this is a great idea.

Original SVO's have developed a rabid following. There are numerous websites and registries dedicated to the four banger. The engine itself lends well to power increases and many applications can easily see 400-600 horsepower. One has to believe that, if produced, the car would lend itself well to those who currently own one or want to own one. Ford just has to follow the original formula but have it priced similarly to below the cost of a new GT.

Another thing to consider is the current generation of "boy racers" who have grown up on 4 cylinder tuning. This would appeal to them as well, except for the fact that they have a penchance towards import models. These views are being softened, however, in light of the popularity of drifting and the fact that Amercian cars perform well in this sport.

So my message to Ford is, just build it!

Ford rethinking it's future large car platform

In a not so entirely suprising move, Ford is considering nixing it's future large car platform. "We need to understand the role of those vehicles, given the change in the market mix," said Ford Product chief Derrick Kuzak. A final decision, however, has not been made and the models are still on target for production begining in 2013.

In the meantime Ford has announced that it will bring it's European Focus and Fiesta models to the U.S. in 2010, sporting the company's new Ecoboost engines which they are also considering placing the future Mustang and F Series trucks.

I just can't understand why this would happen. It would seem obvious with declining sales in truck, SUV, and large cars that it would be. But there is still a niche customer that appreciates these large vehicles, and a rabid consumer base that was excited at the potential of the Ford Interceptor concept car.

An all out axing of the large car platform just seems like a bad business idea. Scaling back on production to meet demand would make more sense. Using the more economical EcoBoost V6's also seems like a viable way to make it happen.

You can't blame automakers for thinking this way. Ford recently reported that it's sales for June were down 28%, whereas Focus sales were up a record 53% in the month of May. People just have the perception that only small cars get good gas mileage, and in turn that's what they will buy. I have a friend that recently purchased a new Honda Pilot and negotiated $9000 off sticker because it's an SUV. An SUV that gets 20+ mpg.

I for one hope that Ford explores all of it's options before making a move of this magnitude. I know that my love for large, rear wheel drive, V8 cars is not shared by everyone and is not practical for most. But I hope there is at least enough interest out there to save them in some capacity. There is something distinctly pleasing about a big American car.