“You sure you can handle it?” asked Dave Gutman, Ford Truck Marketing Manager and former Ford Philippines Vice-President for Marketing. He was pointing out to the blood-red Ford Mustang SVT Cobra and the jet-black Ford Focus SVT. I was trembling at the mere sight of it, like one would when faced with neighborhood hooligans. But I had to gain composure quickly, or else I thought, he wouldn’t hand me over the keys.
“Y-y-y-yes sir,” I replied gulping heavily. Inside my mind, I was saying my prayers, for I was to sample two of the most exclusive, most powerful production Fords ever.
Although both of these vehicles wear the SVT badge, they have distinct, far-flung origins. On one hand, the three-door Focus heralds from the hot-hatch capital of the world, the United Kingdom, boasting such specs as a super-tuned 170-bhp 2.0-liter inline-4 pushing the front wheels and a Getrag 6-speed manual. On the other, the venerable Mustang is built straight off Dearborn, Michigan with its 390-bhp supercharged V8 and a TTC T-56 6-speed manual transferring all the power and torque to the rear wheels.
For all logical thinking, it’s easy to think that they come from different manufacturers. Yet, after emerging from Ford’s in-house Special Vehicles Team or SVT, both remarkably share the same take no prisoners, show no pity attitude.
Both of these cars are uncompromising racers for the road, so there’s little reason why I should deal in matters concerning power this and push button that. However, these two aren’t exactly poor on the spec sheet either—as Ford considers the SVT as the highest product variant.
That said, it’s clearly noticeable that money was pumped in to make these cars the ultimate Fords. For instance, the Mustang Cobra gets a fully-independent suspension with Bilstein shocks. In addition, it gains 13-inch dual-piston Brembo brakes and 275/40 R 17 Goodyear Eagle F1 tires. On the Focus, Ford re-tuned the chassis with stiffer springs, bigger front and rear stabilizer bars and stylish multi-spoke 17-inch alloys.
On the road, it translates to a fun, exhilarating experience. As the Focus SVT changes engine note (it has variable-valve timing) on the way to its 7,000 rpm, the Mustang Cobra delights with the muted whoosh of the supercharger and the blaringly loud exhaust note. Both have precise gearboxes, although the Getrag unit has a lighter clutch and shorter throws.
On the road in Detroit, either one is a recipe for arrest. The point-and-squirt attitude of the Focus is sublime in taking all sorts of corners. The back simply follows the front, like it was on rails. The Mustang Cobra though, constantly reminds the driver that it has 53.91 kg-m of torque digging at the back. On stoplights, it’s easy to induce rear-sliding wheel spin. That said, the extra passenger grab handle is quite useful, just ask Dave Gutman.
Both cars have are Popsicle stiff rides, but this not to be confused with their composure on road imperfections. Being carefully tuned, these two don’t feel unsettling or nervous on any sort of road with the exception of unpaved ones. They are capable of eating up highways or mountain passes. For the cross-country drive though, the Focus SVT would fare better.
Escaping the cops with the SVT’s extra heavy-weight performance punch is easy. However, this exercise may be a bit vain as both cars can sum up your intentions even when standing still. The Focus gets unique front and rear facias as well distinctive round fog lamps, side skirt and boot-lid spoiler. Inside, it has Recaro seats, metal-plated pedals, and titanium-faced electro-luminescent gauges.
While the Focus satisfies the boy racers, hot rodders will be impressed with the large bulging bonnet flanked underneath by distinct round fog lamps. It gets faux side scoops, a revised side skirt and a subtle rear spoiler as well. Inside, the leather and suede sports seats are complimented by the titanium colored gauges and a cobra-shaped leather and aluminum shift knob.
At the end of the day, as I turned the keys back to Dave, I couldn’t believe my sadness. Here were two cars, either of which would give me an insurance nightmare, are actually the most fun thing this side of a Lamborghini. Driving these two SVT cars was fun and at the same time a challenge. It was like asking that high-school crush of yours to the school dance—a nerve wrecking experience, but ended up with a goodnight kiss. This time though, your crush ended up bringing her younger sister.
By Ulysses Ang | Photos By Ulysses Ang and Jason Ang
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