A Subtle Look Of Performance
"It could be that only enthusiasts will notice the design changes, and that’s OK. That’s the way we want it."
Andy Slankard, SVT Focus program manager
The 2002 SVT Focus is a prime example of the Ford Special Vehicle Team’s design philosophy, which seeks to subtly emphasize the vehicle’s capabilities.
"The design changes we make tend to be fairly subdued," said Andy Slankard, SVT Focus program manager. "It could be that only enthusiasts will notice them, and that’s OK. As a matter of fact that’s the way we want it. But, where possible, we also want the changes to contribute some benefits in performance functions such as aerodynamics and driver ergonomics."
The 17-inch wheel style is reminiscent of the 2000 SVT Cobra R. The "open spoke"
design showcases the 11.8 inch (300 mm) front brake rotor. |
Modifications to the SVT Focus exterior include 17-inch, five-spoke wheels, unique front and rear fascias with honeycomb grilles, distinctive rocker moldings, and a small spoiler on the top of the hatch. The result is an understated transformation that enhances the car’s low, wide, road-hugging appearance.
The smoked-glass appearance of the headlights also is unique to the SVT Focus, as is a 75mm chromed exhaust tip tucked into the lower rear fascia. Round, crystalline fog lamps set in the lower front fascia identify this car as part of the SVT family.
SVT Focus exterior color choices for 2002 are Infra-Red, CD Silver, Pitch Black and Sonic Blue, a color unique to the SVT Focus.
The interior also reflects SVT’s design philosophy. The SVT Focus is a car that takes driver ergonomics to a higher level.
"It’s more than what you feel coming through your foot," says Slankard. "It’s everything you see, hear, touch.… When you’re driving, all your senses are involved, and we try to make everything as ‘right’ as possible for the driver. For instance, all the driver’s ‘touch zones’ have received attention, to refine the tactile aspects of driving this car."
Pedals are placed to enhance heel-and-toe down-shifting and metallic pedal covers
add to the preformance feel of the driver environment. |
Interior elements unique to the SVT Focus include pedals placed to facilitate heel-and-toe downshifting, metallic covers, and a dead pedal; a black leather-wrapped steering wheel with perforations in the three- and nine-o’clock grip positions; a black leather-wrapped parking brake lever with a satin aluminum release button; and a black leather-wrapped aluminum shift knob.
All seats are trimmed in black leather, and the front seats have added foam pads and frame wires to substantially increase lateral support. The driver seat is six-way adjustable, with a rotary recliner mechanism, manual fore/aft movement, and a power up/down adjustment system. The passenger front seat is four-way adjustable, with recline and fore/aft movement. Both seats feature a manual lumbar control.
The SVT Focus interior is a significant departure from the ZX3. Added front seat side bolstering
is designed to hold the driver and passenger in place during high performance driving. |
There are two interior color choices to complement the black leather seat bolsters and head restraints. Red or blue cloth is available as an accent in the seat backs, seat cushions and door-trim panels.
The unique SVT Focus seat trim continues into the rear seat as well. The seat is a 60/40 split with folding back, flip-up cushions, as well as left, right and center head restraints.
The SVT lineage also is evident in the instrument cluster. Bold, clean, titanium-faced electro-luminescent gauges include a tachometer and 160mph speedometer. Silver climate control bezels accent the black center stack, and oil temperature and pressure gauges are fitted in place of the ZX3 model’s coin storage compartment.
Unique interior features standard on the SVT Focus include: oil
temperature and pressure gauges, electro-luminescent cluster, radio remote control located on steering column,
silver HVAC bezels, aluminum pedal covers, and leather-wrapped aluminum shift knob. |
The standard audio system features a 60-watt peak power AM/FM stereo radio and single-disc CD player. The optional Audiophile Sound System is powered by a 290-watt peak power AM/FM stereo radio, with upgraded speakers, an eight-inch powered subwoofer, and a six-disc, in-dash CD changer.
Both systems have fingertip controls on the steering column for changing volume, radio stations and CD tracks.
Additional standard equipment includes air conditioning, speed control, remote keyless entry and Ford’s SecuriLock™ passive anti-theft system.
The SVT Focus also is equipped with driver and front passenger side-impact air bags, an engine oil cooler, and a rear hatch cargo net as standard equipment.
In addition to the Audiophile Sound System, two other options are available: a power sunroof, and a Winter Package consisting of traction control, heated seats and an engine block heater.
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