Say it ain't so...
http://www.modularfords.com/forums/s...0&page=1&pp=30
Discuss :bbb:
A little snippet:
STEVEN COLE SMITH
Posted Date: 10/20/04
Ford has pulled the plug on the next-generation F-150 Lightning SVT pickup truck, instead putting all SVT's eggs into one basket - the SVT Mustang, due for 2006.
"It's a business decision," said Alan Hall, SVT spokesman. The official line is that the Lightning has been "postponed," and not killed, but if it is revived, it will be 2008 or later before we see one. SVT has gone from three vehicles in 2004 - the Lightning, the Cobra and the SVT Focus - to none in 2005.
Ford had already shown a concept version of the next-generation Lightning in 2003. The concept had a supercharged V-8 engine with more than 500 horsepower, in answer to the Dodge Ram SRT-10, which eclipsed the Lightning as the world's fastest production pickup in a test last winter. Ford was eager to regain the crown, but has decided to deed the performance pickup-truck market over to Dodge and its 500-horse SRT-10, and to a lesser extent, Chevrolet, though the heavy all-wheel-drive Silverado SS is not in the same category.
The Lightning debuted in 1993, with a 240-horsepower version of Ford's 5.8-liter V-8. Cobby and not that attractive, it was only a mild success, and was dropped in 1995. The F-150's redesign led to a handsome new Lightning for 1999, featuring a 360-horsepower supercharged 5.4-liter V-8. A handful of 2004 Lightnings, not much changed from that 1999 model except for a horsepower bump to 380, remain on dealer lots. Base price: $33,560.
Apparently, cost played a leading role in the decision, as the expense involved in developing and certifying a proper V8, and massaging the new-for-2004 F-150's chassis, was deemed prohibitive. Also, the next-generation Lightning's fuel mileage would likely continue to detract from Ford's Corporate Average Fuel Economy totals: The current Lightning is rated at 12 mpg city, 16 mpg highway.
Even so, this news will not be popular with Lightning loyalists, such as Mike Philpot of Heathrow, Florida, who paid full sticker price for his Lightning in July, 1999. "My '99 Lightning has been a fantastic vehicle," he says. "It has about 54,000 miles on it, and it runs better than new. Never any problems. I bought an extended warranty from Ford, but I could have saved myself the money. It has it all: good looks, comfort, good handling and, of course, all that incredible power. Hardly a day goes by without at least one positive comment on it from someone.
"Hopefully, Ford will change its mind. If they want to keep the F-150 the most popular truck in the world with all the competition that it has now, they had better continue with their halo vehicle."
Discuss :bbb:
A little snippet:
STEVEN COLE SMITH
Posted Date: 10/20/04
Ford has pulled the plug on the next-generation F-150 Lightning SVT pickup truck, instead putting all SVT's eggs into one basket - the SVT Mustang, due for 2006.
"It's a business decision," said Alan Hall, SVT spokesman. The official line is that the Lightning has been "postponed," and not killed, but if it is revived, it will be 2008 or later before we see one. SVT has gone from three vehicles in 2004 - the Lightning, the Cobra and the SVT Focus - to none in 2005.
Ford had already shown a concept version of the next-generation Lightning in 2003. The concept had a supercharged V-8 engine with more than 500 horsepower, in answer to the Dodge Ram SRT-10, which eclipsed the Lightning as the world's fastest production pickup in a test last winter. Ford was eager to regain the crown, but has decided to deed the performance pickup-truck market over to Dodge and its 500-horse SRT-10, and to a lesser extent, Chevrolet, though the heavy all-wheel-drive Silverado SS is not in the same category.
The Lightning debuted in 1993, with a 240-horsepower version of Ford's 5.8-liter V-8. Cobby and not that attractive, it was only a mild success, and was dropped in 1995. The F-150's redesign led to a handsome new Lightning for 1999, featuring a 360-horsepower supercharged 5.4-liter V-8. A handful of 2004 Lightnings, not much changed from that 1999 model except for a horsepower bump to 380, remain on dealer lots. Base price: $33,560.
Apparently, cost played a leading role in the decision, as the expense involved in developing and certifying a proper V8, and massaging the new-for-2004 F-150's chassis, was deemed prohibitive. Also, the next-generation Lightning's fuel mileage would likely continue to detract from Ford's Corporate Average Fuel Economy totals: The current Lightning is rated at 12 mpg city, 16 mpg highway.
Even so, this news will not be popular with Lightning loyalists, such as Mike Philpot of Heathrow, Florida, who paid full sticker price for his Lightning in July, 1999. "My '99 Lightning has been a fantastic vehicle," he says. "It has about 54,000 miles on it, and it runs better than new. Never any problems. I bought an extended warranty from Ford, but I could have saved myself the money. It has it all: good looks, comfort, good handling and, of course, all that incredible power. Hardly a day goes by without at least one positive comment on it from someone.
"Hopefully, Ford will change its mind. If they want to keep the F-150 the most popular truck in the world with all the competition that it has now, they had better continue with their halo vehicle."
__________________
"There's more flawless engineering in a Camry than all the berlinettas Enzo ever conjured while lying next to mistresses." - John Phillips/Car and Driver

The swapped hatch hotness

Slow Five-Oh Rustang
"There's more flawless engineering in a Camry than all the berlinettas Enzo ever conjured while lying next to mistresses." - John Phillips/Car and Driver

The swapped hatch hotness
Slow Five-Oh Rustang
Last edited by Toma; Dec 20, 2004 at 01:33 PM.
old news. I think it's a bullshit PR hoax to help them move the last of the 04's on lots. People are holding off because the new ones will be out. Same thing happened with all the rumors of the 'terminator cobra'. Ford denied that they were going to ever produce it until it was to their benefit to announce it.
Originally posted by Leonard
old news. I think it's a bullshit PR hoax to help them move the last of the 04's on lots. People are holding off because the new ones will be out. Same thing happened with all the rumors of the 'terminator cobra'. Ford denied that they were going to ever produce it until it was to their benefit to announce it.
old news. I think it's a bullshit PR hoax to help them move the last of the 04's on lots. People are holding off because the new ones will be out. Same thing happened with all the rumors of the 'terminator cobra'. Ford denied that they were going to ever produce it until it was to their benefit to announce it.
__________________
-Vince
-Vince
Just a lil FYI, they sent our dealership the ordering guide fopr them then a week later annouced that there would be no production. I think they are going to be goign a different route with tit, ie. using the 3v heads instead of the 2v. The concept used the 2v and that engine is no longer in production. The Rousch s/c on the 3v is puttign down 405/480, so I am sure with a larger s/c and a lil more tunig they could make quite a bit more. Seeing how they want to take on the SRT-10 I see why they might have gone back to the drawing boards with it.


