Ford Focus SVT Five-door

Ford Focus SVT Five-door
The three-door version of the SVT Focus debuted last year. In a test in our April 2002 issue, it bested a field of four hot sport compacts, including the Honda Civic Si, Nissan Sentra SE-R, and Volkswagen GTI 1.8T, based on superiority in ride, handling, braking, feature content, execution, and value. Now Ford's Special Vehicle Team has turned its attention to a performance version of the five-door Focus ZX5--one with the same basic formula as the three-door SVT, but with a tad more functionality, courtesy of a pair of doors for rear-seat passengers.

SVT addresses the stock Focus' major shortcoming--a lack of power--and raises the car's entertainment value considerably. At 170 horses, the SVT version of the 2.0-liter Zetec twin-cammer, co-developed with renowned race-engine builder Cosworth Technology, increases power some 35 percent over the version in the base Focus ZX3 and ZX5. SVT wrings more horsepower from the base Zetec by moving more air in and out of the engine and spinning it up higher. Lightweight, high-compression pistons add more atmospheric squeeze, while larger intake ports/intake valves and stiffer valve springs let the engine breathe deeper. Intake air velocity is maintained using a dual-stage intake manifold to direct air through long runners below 6000 rpm and short runners at higher revs. Four into two into one headers and a larger 2.25-inch exhaust system help the air find its way out. As with the standard Zetec engine, variable intake-valve timing aids tractability.

The SVT version is a harder-working Zetec that's as happy as a hummingbird between 5000 and 7000 rpm. Unfortunately, the SVT Zetec makes only seven percent more peak torque than the base engine--at a lofty 5500 rpm. So, while it's fun to buzz the SVT to high revs, you really must keep it there to extract sport-compact performance.

SVT also answers another base Focus shortcoming by equipping its version with low-friction, more precise-shifting transmission linkage. The gearbox itself is a six-speed unit--the only one in this test. The extra cog in this Getrag-built box is helpful in keeping the engine in the sweet part of the rev range.