Special Vehicle Team, also known as SVT, was an arm of Ford Motor Company responsible for the development of the company's highest-performance vehicles. Established in 1991,[1] SVT was the successor to the SVO division. The last SVT Director was Hermann Salenbauch. SVT was previously led by Hau Thai-Tang (2004–2007) and John Coletti (1993-2004). In 2015, Ford Racing, alongside Ford Team RS and Special Vehicle Team, merged into a global entity named Ford Performance.

Special Vehicle Team (SVT)
Company typeSubsidiary
PredecessorSpecial Vehicle Operations
Founded1991 [1]
Defunct2015; 9 years ago (2015)
FateMerged to form Ford Performance
SuccessorFord Performance
Headquarters
U.S.
ProductsHigh-performance cars
ParentFord Motor Company

Information

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The group mainly produces specially tuned versions of Ford production vehicles such as the 2010 F-150 SVT Raptor which is based on the Ford F150. However, they do occasionally develop models independently of the rest of the company, namely the GT supercar (developed in conjunction with Saleen). SVT was founded in 1983 by John Plant of Ford Marketing, Janine Bay of Ford Mustang Program Management, and Robert Burnham of Ford Truck Program Management. Originally known as Special Vehicle Operations, SVO developed the 1984–1986 2.3-liter turbo-charged 4-cylinder Mustang SVO, as well as marketed performance parts through dealer networks (now known as Ford Performance Parts, or FPP).

Ford SVT debuted the 2010 F-150 SVT Raptor high-performance off-road truck. Using a completely re-designed suspension, with internal-bypass Fox Racing Shocks and specially developed BF Goodrich all-terrain 35" tires, the Raptor is considered an OEM-style "pre-runner." Pre-runners are reconnaissance vehicles used for high-speed testing of off-road race courses before a race.

F-150 SVT Raptor[2] also debuted the all-new 6.2-liter V8 engine as an option for the 2010 model year (likely to be standard in subsequent model years). Ford reports horsepower and torque as 411 hp (306 kW) @ 5500 rpm, 434 lb·ft (588 N·m) @ 4500 rpm in the Raptor. All Raptor models will have a 6-speed automatic transmission, selectable 4WD, and rear E-Locker that stays engaged at high-speeds.

In 2015 as a result of Ford's plan to globalize their vehicles, SVT and the European RS division merged, forming Ford Performance and thus aligning all American and European performance vehicle activity together.

SVT vehicles

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Model Version Year Engine Power Torque Production
SVT Lightning 9 1993 5.8 L Windsor FI V8 240 hp (179 kW) 340 ft·lbf (461 N·m) 5,276
1994 4,007
1995 2,280
Total 11,563
10 1999 5.4 L supercharged Triton V8 360 hp (268 kW) 440 ft·lbf (597 N·m) 4,000
2000 4,966
2001 380 hp (283 kW) 450 ft·lbf (610 N·m) 6,381
2002 4,726
2003 4,270
2004 3,781
Total 28,124
Total - SVT Lightning 39,687
SVT Cobra Fox Base 1993 5.0 L Windsor V8 235 hp (175 kW) 280 ft·lbf (380 N·m) 4,993
R 1993 107
Total 5,100
SN-95 1 / Fox-4 Base 1994 5.0 L Windsor V8 240 hp (179 kW) 285 ft·lbf (386 N·m) 6,009
1995 5,008
1996 4.6 L DOHC Modular V8 305 hp (227 kW) 300 ft·lbf (407 N·m) 10,002
1997 10,049
1998 8,654
R 1995 5.8 L Windsor V8 300 hp (224 kW) 365 ft·lbf (495 N·m) 250
Total 39,973
SN-95 2 Base 1999 4.6 L DOHC Modular V8 320 hp (239 kW) 317 ft·lbf (430 N·m) 8,095
2001 7,251
2003 4.6 L DOHC SC Modular V8 390 hp (291 kW) 390 ft·lbf (529 N·m) 13,476
2004 5,664
R 2000 5.4 L DOHC Modular V8 385 hp (287 kW) 385 ft·lbf (522 N·m) 300
Total 34,859
Total - SVT Cobra 79,932
SVT Contour CDW27 1998 2.5 L Duratec 25 SVT V6 195 hp (145 kW) 165 ft·lbf (224 N·m) 6,535
1999 200 hp (149 kW) 169 ft·lbf (229 N·m) 2,760
2000 2,150
Total 11,445
SVT Focus CW170 2002 2.0 L Zetec I4 170 hp (127 kW) 145 ft·lbf (197 N·m) 4,788
2003 6,158
2004 3,057
Total 14,003
Total 144,993*

SVT is credited in the following vehicles:

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Ford SVT history
  2. ^ "SVT Raptor".
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