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Ford’s SVT Lightning is an all-out high-performance version of a full-size pickup truck. How far trucks have come from the days when they were no more than work machines to haul hay, meant for function, not fun.

Lightning is the product of Ford Motor Co.’s Special Vehicle Team, earning it the SVT designation. The team’s pleasant task is to add muscle to existing products to come up with low-volume, high-performance niche versions of run-of-the-mill cars and trucks.

Lightning is making its second appearance. Ford offered it in 1993-1995, then kept it out of the lineup until the F-Series pickup underwent a styling and engineering makeover for 1997.

The Lightning’s soul is Ford’s 5.4-liter, single-overhead cam V-8 supercharged to develop 360 horsepower and 440 foot-pounds of torque at 3,000 r.p.m., rather than the 260-h.p. and 345 foot-pounds of torque at 2,300 r.p.m. from the non-supercharged 5.4. That’s also a noticeable improvement from the ’93-’95 Lightning powered by a 5.8-liter, 240-h.p. V-8.

It is fair to say the SVT Lightning screams, thanks to that supercharger. Turbochargers boost power, but you have to put up with lag time between kicking the pedal and the turbo starting to whistle as a signal it has gone to work. With the supercharger, kick the pedal and the response is immediate. To punctuate the performance, the supercharger lets out with a steady howl rather than a lackluster whistle.

Should a Lightning roll to a pause next to you at the light, don’t dismiss it as a farm implement unless you want to spend the next several seconds wiping exhaust residue off your windshield as the Lightning disappears over the horizon.

Those who frown on a 360-h.p. supercharged pickup and argue that the 13 m.p.g. city/17 m.p.g. highway mileage rating will only serve to make this country subservient to Mideast sheiks, don’t get the point of a Lightning, or the Dodge Viper or Plymouth Prowler. Should that be how you feel, stop reading now and water your ferns.

What Ford bills as “the world’s fastest truck” (Ford obviously has never spotted a utility company pickup leaving the yard for its first stop at Mickey D’s for coffee), comes with a performance-tuned suspension with larger stabilizer bars. The suspension also has been lowered front (one-half inch) and rear (2 inches).

The suspension tweaking lowers the vehicle’s road stance and, therefore, the center of gravity for ride and handling more like a performance car’s. No top-heavy feel so common in pickups. No pronounced lean into and out of corners. Body roll is kept to a minimum.

If you expected to be bounced and jostled in the cabin as the price you must pay for a supercharged flight, you’ll be pleasantly surprised in just how civil this beast can act. A gentle giant.

In testament to Lightning’s power, the truck comes with beefed-up four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock to make the return to zero from 60 m.p.h. a comfortable trip in minimal time.

Lightning not only pe rforms well, it also is a head-turner, so much so you can get whiplash. Big bold honeycomb grille, massive honeycomb air dam below it, flared wheel wells, dual exhaust tips extending out from behind the passenger door, step-side access to the tonneau-covered cargo bed, rocker panel extensions, round fog lamps, 18-inch performance radial tires with added sidewall strength for towing and a tread pattern design for wet and dry weather mounted on five-spoke decorative cast aluminum alloy wheels.

Looks like it’ll haul, though not hay.

In the cabin, the leather seats couldn’t be cozier or controls easier to see and use. The passenger-side air bag comes with a cutoff switch. Turn the key to disable the bag and the light comes on as warning.

The Lightning will seat three if you fold up the drop down center armrest that resembles a mini table top with cupholder and lots of space inside. Standard equipment on the F-150 SVT Lightning includes power driver’s seat, tilt steering, heavy-du ty engine/transmission cooling packages, air conditioning, premium AM/FM stereo with cassette, dual power mirrors/windows/door locks, white-faced SVT gauges, cruise control, sliding rear window, SVT floor mats and SVT-embossed leather seat backs and remote keyless entry.

Base price is $29,355. Our test vehicle added $245 for a trailer-towing package for those who need to haul snowmobiles or watercraft, $150 for the soft tonneau cover; $210 for a six-disc CD changer; and $640 freight. A pair of red fuzzy dice hanging from the rearview mirror were thrown in for good measure.

Lightning is offered only as a two-wheel-drive regular cab. No four-wheel-drive or extended cab to keep weight down because the focus is on performance over function. Besides, the wide footprint on those 18-inch radials isn’t meant for cavorting on snow.

And before you ask, no 5-speed manual because Ford doesn’t have one that can handle the torque from this supercharged V-8.

Word of caution: Limited production. Only 4,000 copies for ’99. He who hesitates will have to settle for hay hauling.

In addition to the Lightning, Ford offers SVT version of the Contour and Mustang Cobra. For 2000 Ford will boost output of the SVT Lightning to 5,000 units. The SVT Contour also will be offered for 2000 as will the SVT Mustang Cobra. An SVT Mustang Cobra R, a street-legal racing machine minus such amenities as air, radio and a back seat will be added for 2000.

No word on future SVT Fords, but keep in mind a concept SVT Ford Ranger pickup has been done, and the automaker is talking about adding another SVT sedan. Word is that one of the cars being considered for SVT treatment is the Focus coming out for 2000 as a step up from the current Escort. There have been hints of an SVT Explorer but Ford won’t comment.

>> 1999 Ford F-150 Lightning
© 1999 Chicago Tribune Wheelbase: 119.8 inches Length: 208 inches Engine: 5.4-liter, 360-h.p. supercharged V-8 Transmission: 4-speed automatic Fuel economy: 13 m.p.g. city/17 m.p.g. highway Base price: $29,355 Price as tested: $29,960. Includes $245 for trailer-towing package, $150 for soft tonneau cover; and $210 6-disc CD changer. Add $640 for freight. Pluses: Knockout styling and performance–zero to 60 m.p.h. in 6.18 seconds, quarter mile in 14.6 seconds at 97 m.p.h., top speed 140 m.p.h. Most roadworthy suspension system. Should spawn more SVT trucks and sport-utes at Ford. Minuses: Check fuel-economy rating. >>