Ford Faqs

Director of SVT Hau Tai Tang told us the Sport Trac configuration gives it better overall performance than the much loved Lightning. “It’s lighter, smaller and has an independent suspension,” said the director. “Combine that with the fact that it has just as much power as the Lightning and we think customers will appreciate its performance package.”

Under the hood of this surprisingly good-looking SUT is an intercooled and supercharged 4.6-liter V8 that belts out 390 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque. Ford used a forged crankshaft, reinforced con rods and forged pistons to assure this four-valve V8 can withstand both high-performance driving and extended tow duty.

A six-speed automatic borrowed from Ford’s full-size SUVs handles the shifting chores and gives the Adrenalin a useful 6,000-pound tow rating. Full-time all-wheel drive is a first for an SVT vehicle giving the Sport Trac the off-the-line traction the Lightning never had. You can forget burnouts, but a 40/60 front-to-rear power bias should at least give it a performance feel in the corners.

Two inches longer than the previous Lightning, the Sport Trac also rides on a 10-inch-longer wheelbase. Front and rear sway bars work with recalibrated springs and shocks to give it a more precise feel than the hopelessly vague setup in the standard Sport Trac. The show car rode on 21-inch wheels, but the production model that’s set to arrive in 2007 is likely to have a slightly smaller setup.

SVT’s quest for “balanced performance” is further emphasized by an interior that’s performance-oriented but not stripped. Four heavily bolstered captain’s chairs provide comfort for four while SVT’s signature black-on-white gauges distinguish the dash. Additional metallic trim dresses up the dash and the optional DVD navigation system is a first for SVT.