Island Home Of Rice (And Beans) Rockets Gets Spicy SVTs

CLICK4 Audio Interview With John Coletti SVT Manager

Ford to offer unique line up of high-performance vehicles in Puerto Rico

From the world's fastest production truck to the new version of the original American Muscle car – Ford brings true power to the island

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, September 13, 2002 – Ford announced today the introduction of its high-performance vehicle line-up to the Puerto Rico market. Produced by Ford's Special Vehicle Team ("SVT"), these limited-production vehicles are specifically designed to meet the unique needs and desires of the knowledgeable driving enthusiast.

Ford SVT was formed in the early 1990s with the charter to create limited edition, world-class performance vehicles worthy of the SVT badge. The SVT design ethic was – and still is – based on four hallmarks: Performance, Substance, Exclusivity and Value. After 10 years and more than 100,000 vehicles sold, SVT is recognized as the industry benchmark in delivering factory-backed performance vehicles that are an unmatched value in the market.

Mr. Randy Ortiz, newly appointed executive director and general manager of Ford Motor Company's Worldwide Direct Market Operations ("WDMO"), made this announcement during his first official visit to the Puerto Rico market. WDMO is the company's business unit, which oversees Ford's local operation alongside more than 50 other export markets around the world.

"Puerto Rico is a highly competitive market -- actually it's Ford's second largest within this region," said Ortiz, who just recently celebrated 20 years with the company. "I came to immerse myself in the market and evaluate ways to support Ford's continued growth in the island." Ford's SVT 2003 product offering will be available late next month in Puerto Rico. It will include the SVT Mustang Cobra, which will be arriving first, progressively followed by the SVT F-150 Lightning and SVT Focus models. All SVT products are sold through SVT-trained and certified dealers in America, prepared to satisfy discriminating enthusiasts before, during and after the sale. In Puerto Rico, Ford will distribute these vehicles through two of their preferred Ford dealers: Bayamón Ford and Caguas Expressway.

"Both teams at Bayamón and Caguas have ample experience in the high-performance car market," said Ortiz. "We are confident that they will do a great job in introducing these specialized vehicles to the island, as we strengthen our drive to deliver unique products that satisfy the needs of our customers."

Ford also announced the introduction of another one of a kind, high-performance vehicle: the 2003 Mustang Mach 1 special edition. Hitting island shores this November, the 2003 Mach 1 promises to stir up local driving enthusiasts who still revel on the original 1969 model. Back then, the Mustang Mach 1 helped define the true American muscle car and was named "the quickest four-person production car" ever tested by Car Life Magazine. In 2003, 38 years after the original Mustang was introduced, it promises to deliver more than 300 horsepower from its modular 4.6-liter, 4 valve DOHC V-8 engine.

"This is the type of car you want to collect. Getting behind its wheel is a truly unique experience – a powerful blast from the past," added Ortiz.

Ford will build approximately 6,500 Mustang Mach 1 special editions, each with a unique serialization to ensure exclusivity and collectibility.

The Mach 1 was conceptualized at Ford's Vehicle Personalization group, a unit which develops “Buzz” vehicles – such as the Mustang Bullitt GT and the Midnight Escape. The Vehicle Specialization Group, alongside SVT and Ford Racing Technology, have recently been housed under a newly created Ford Performance Group umbrella. The new group combines the strengths of these teams to design, develop and market performance products, parts and services. The organization will be the industry’s most comprehensive performance product and marketing operation.

ABOUT FORD'S SVT PRODUCTS

SVT F-150 Lightning

The SVT F-150 Lightning reigns as the world’s fastest factory-produced pickup truck. It is built on the F-Series regular cab, short-wheelbase chassis, giving the lightest possible weight, optimum handling and acceleration. The SVT Lightning has a 5.4L Triton SOHC supercharged and intercooler V-8 engine as standard equipment, producing 380 hp and 450 ft.-lbs. of torque. To balance the power and torque, the SVT Lightning has larger brake rotors and calipers, and an SVT-tuned suspension. The SVT Lightning also makes a powerful statement on the interior with an Ebony textured leather and Medium Graphite cloth trim, 40/60 split bench seat with center jump seat and the SVT logo stitched in the seatback.

SVT Mustang Cobra Beginning with the original in 1993, every generation of the SVT Mustang Cobra has elevated its standard of performance. Now, the 2003 SVT Mustang Cobra raises the bar yet again, this time increasing power output to a level never before achieved in a production Mustang. The addition of a Roots-type supercharger and water-to-air intercooler to the Cobra’s 4.6-liter, DOHC 4-valve V-8 engine bumps output to 390 horsepower and 390 foot-pounds of torque. Along with the new supercharged engine for 2003, the SVT Cobra features a 6-speed manual transmission, unique front and rear fascias, larger wheels and tires and redesigned front seats. The new SVT Cobra also provides a six-speed gearbox as standard equipment.

SVT Focus The 2002 SVT Focus was Ford's first entry into the compact, front-wheel-drive performance market niche – often called the "hot hatch" segment. The SVT Focus entered this segment with a significant performance value advantage. The SVT Focus was based on the 3-door hatchback Focus ZX3, which is powered by the 2.0L DOHC Zeta inline four-cylinder engine. The SVT Focus engine features extensive modifications that elevate its power output to 170 hp and 145 lb.-ft. of torque, compared with 130 hp and 135 lb.-ft. of torque for the Focus ZX3 power plant. Standard equipment on the SVT Focus includes a Getrag 6-speed transmission, SVT-tuned suspension, 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS, 17-inch wheels and high-performance tires, driver and passenger front and side-impact airbags, unique front and rear fascias and rocker panels, and hatch spoiler. For the 2003 model year, a new, five-door model will join the three-door SVT Focus. The five-door SVT Focus is based on the Focus ZX5 body style and provides all the performance that has earned the SVT Focus high praise from a number of independent sources.