The Ford Focus SVT: A Forgotten Hero That Will Make You Money

With the arrival of the Brazenly-Blue and incredibly drifty sensation known and the 2016 Ford Focus RS, all that I have been able to think about is I want me some of that! My current position as a fairly-broke student car enthusiast, however, means that I as well as many others, simply have no way of financially accessing the new Focus RS for the perceivable future.

Now, overseas the European market received the previous 2 generations (3 if you count the 2010 Focus RS500) of Ford’s rather fanatical RS hot-hatchery. So, if one in those lands across the sea wishes to take a bite out of the ludicrous Ford tossability, they have ample room for budget and selection. We in the United States, however, were left out from these earlier generations and never quite received an all-out bonkers model until this year. Sure, we have the Focus and Fiesta ST’s, which are fantastic modern hot hatchbacks, respectively. But those models somewhat lack that sheer nonsensical sensibility of pouring power and other awesome bits into a tiny hatchback and labeling it RS.

Enter: The 2004 Ford Focus SVT

With Fiesta and Focus ST’s holding their value securely as well, those of us tight-budgeted American enthusiasts of the hot Ford hatch have only one real direction to turn; 2002’s Ford Focus SVT.

In 2002, we in the U.S. finally received a hot hatch worthy of the particularly exclusive name SVT, or Special Vehicle Team. After lusting over the forbidden fruit known as the Mk. 1 Ford Focus RS overseas, the American public was gifted the Focus SVT. While not quite the RS, the SVT stood to hold position as a very competitive hot hatch in the U.S. market. The Focus SVT achieves a 0-60mph time of 7.5 seconds and goes on to a top speed of 125 mph with 170hp (126.8 kw) and 145 lb-ft of torque. These numbers aren’t impressive by modern standards, but if you take into account that the Focus SVT actually beat Honda at the N/A sport compact game by ten whole horsepower at the time, one can realize how much actual effort went into producing this car for enthusiasts.

The SVT also proves it’s aim for enthusiasts once you look at the other upgrades over the normal Focus. Engine enhancements included the use of a DOHC Zetec four-pot, with updated pistons, cam profiles, a two-stage intake manifold, and variable intake cam timing. Aiding in the SVT’s exhale is freer flowing cats and an exhaust refined to let the Zetec engine growl and rasp how it likes. The presence of a Getrag sourced 6-speed manual further demonstrates the enthusiast-oriented nature of the Focus SVT.

When it comes to handling, the SVT is no American can’t-go-around-corners-quickly-without-a-professional-at-the-wheel quarter-mile-king sort. Completely overhauled suspension and handling bits are laden throughout, including 11.8-inch (300mm) vented front brake rotors and 17-inch alloy wheels encased in 215/45ZR rubber. To hold your buns in place while pulling lateral G’s, deep Recaro front buckets are standard kit.

The mods market isn’t quite as large for the SVT as it would be for a Civic Si or similar, but it’s large enough to be able to create a unique beast that you would be proud to call your own. The Mk. 1 Focus is overall kind of quirky in the aesthetics department, but with tasteful mods (like pictured above), I believe that they hold the ability to look absolutely aggressive and imposing on the street.

Why You Should Buy

Considering all of the very attractive features and bits that Ford threw into this little hatch, it’s very surprising how much it’s forgotten nowadays. The Focus SVT came at a time when us Americans were practically begging for something of European taste and pedigree, and the SVT delivered. SVT’s arrived at dealerships with small Euro styling cues that set it apart from all others, and delivered on the quality of handling and driving fun that enthusiasts demanded. This little Ford hatchback hero, with all of the features and go-fast-while-smiling-giddily bits listed above, can be found for just $6,000 (£4,200). A clean and low-mileage example such as This can be found for Just $5,995!

I predict that prices for these little cars are about to go up too. The ever-awaited Focus RS is this year finally arriving on American shores, and once RS’s are commonplace on the streets, many more people with lower budgets are going to discover the awesomeness that is the Focus SVT. Hence, demand will increase and so will prices. So, will you save one of these heroes before they become less accessible by us budgeted enthusiasts?