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Ford’s SVT Lightning gains horsepower and handling refinements. One of Ford’s best sports cars is a pickup truck: the SVT F-150 Lightning.

John Coletti, chief engineer at Special Vehicle Engineering, and his gang of magicians have rubbed the lamp of horsepower, and the genie gave them 20 more, up from 360 to 380. Enhancements to the intake manifold account for the added power.

Because of the supercharger, the engine’s robust power is immediate, and the thrust it produces is addictive. The 5.4-liter SOHC V-8 now knocks back zero to 60 mph runs in 5.8 seconds and has a top track speed of 142 mph, which is mighty impressive considering the vehicle weighs 4,670 pounds. In spite of revisions to the engine for more power, it meets Low Emission Vehicle standards.

Other demon tweaks include the addition of Bilstein shock absorbers that make the ride more supple and less harsh, clear-lens lights front and rear and tighter gearing for improved romps to 60 mph. This monsterÕs handling is so superior that it will embarrass more than a handful of sports sedans and sports cars.

SVT (Special Vehicle Team) is the marketing arm for vehicles created by Special Vehicle Engineering. SVT products are niche vehicles aimed at driving enthusiasts, and they are built in limited quantities. About 5,000 Lightnings were built in 2000.

Other SVT products include the Mustang Cobra and the Mustang Cobra R, an outrageous, track-oriented version of the Mustang that glistens with 385 horsepower, huge ground-effects spoilers and the barest of bones for an interior (racing front seats, no air conditioning and no back seat). Another SVT model will be introduced at the Chicago Auto Show in February. The Lightning is built on the F-series regular cab, short-wheelbase chassis for the lightest wait and optimal handling.

To enable a handful of auto writers to sample the refinements to the 2001 Lightning and get some seat time in the Cobra R, SVT set up an autocross handling course laid out with cones in the giant parking lot of Six Flags over Texas.

Flogging these vehicles around this demanding track was truly revealing. The Lightning pickup was absolutely astounding in the way it could be hustled through a course that bobbed and weaved as much as a tired boxer. The 18-inch tires, fat stabilizer bars and new shock absorbers kept the tires glued to the road surprisingly well considering 380 horsepower was trying to spin them into smoke.

Compared to the Cobra R, the truck felt tall and leaned a lot in turns, yet it was only a couple of seconds slower than the all-out Cobra R on a course that required slightly less than a minute to negotiate.

Out on the Texas hill country roads near Fredericksburg, Texas, the Lightning proved to be tremendously flexible and fun. The new monotube Bilstein shock absorbers soften the ride slightly yet keep the wheels in better contact with the road over bumpy pavement. The new shocks are a win-win situation because they improve handling and create a less jarring ride.

In many ways, the Lightning is more practical than a Mustang. Its tall seating position gives a commanding view of traffic, the suede and leather seats look sharp and have terrific support. The best part is, it can actually be used as a truck once in a while.

Come Saturday morning, you can take off the bed cover and haul lawn mowers, motorcycles or bags of mulch from the garden center. Because the springs and shocks are tuned for handling and the suspension is half an inch lower in front and two inches lower in back, the cargo capacity is only 800 pounds.

A trailer hitch is standard, on the other hand, and it can tow up to 5,000 pounds. That makes it appropriate for folks who have personal watercraft, dirt bikes or boats.

Most Lightning owners, however, will use them for fun. Coletti says the majority of owners take them to the drag strip.

Other tweaks for 2001? The grille has bars instead of mesh, head and tail lights use clear lenses with bright chrome reflectors and the high-mounted stoplight consists of 10 LEDs. The wheels are the same size as last year but have newly designed spokes.

SVT is a close-knit core of engineers, product-planners and marketing types whose goal is to produce exceptional vehicles in limited numbers.

Only 623 Ford dealers are certified to sell SVT vehicles. In 2001, all SVT vehicles will be washed and vacuumed each time they come in for service. Also for 2001, SVT is rolling out the SVT Owners Association. SVT officials say the club, and its local chapters, will sponsor various driving events on closed courses so owners can develop their driving skills in a safe, controlled environment.

To learn more about SVT, go to www.svt.ford.com or call (800) 367-3788.

Price

The price of the Lightning is $32,460, including destination charges. The only option is a soft tonneau cover that goes over the bed, and it costs $150.

Warranty

Three years or 36,000 miles.

To get in touch with Tom Strongman, send e-mail to tstrongman@kc.rr.com.

Point: Getting a truck to handle as gracefully as a sports car is like training an elephant in ballet. SVT engineers have not only done it, but they have made it better with new shock absorbers and a boost of 20 horsepower. The ride is tight but fluid, the seats are great and the vehicle can actually be used for light hauling or towing.

Counterpoint: Only two people can fit comfortably, the cab has no inside storage to speak of and fuel economy is not great.

SPECIFICATIONS:
Engine: 5.4-liter V-8
Transmission: automatic Rear-wheel drive
Wheelbase: 119.8 inches
Curb weight: 4,670 lbs.
Base price: $32,460
As driven: $32,610
Mpg rating:13 city, 17 hwy.