Lightning
Strikes Again!

1999 is the return of the Ford SVT Lightning, the full-size pickup that promises to be the most potent factory-built pickup truck ever. The 240-horsepower, 351 Windsor-powered Special Vehicle Team (SVT) Lightning was the best factory-offered sport/performance truck when it debuted in '93. The nameplate took a rest upon the introduction of the new F-Series for '97, but is on its way back, in the fastlane ! It is poised to handily outperform the original-as well as any other truck, and quite a few performance cars in the process!

It's powered by a super-charged and intercooled 5.4-liter Triton V-8, with an estimated 325 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque, though sources near the project indicate these numbers may be "five to ten percent conservative". Expected 0-to-60-mph times should be in the 6.5-second range, although SVT is working to get that time closer to six seconds flat.

The Lightning powerplant, which is the first ever supercharged V-8 to be offered in a production pickup, will be backed by a four-speed automatic transmission, essentially a beefed-up version of the one used in the turbo-diesel-powered pickup, which can handle the torque the Lightning powerplant pumps out.

Since SVT vehicles are equally about handling as they are about acceleration, the truck has been lowered and a rear stablizer bar added; tires are fat P295/45ZR-18 Goodyear Eagle F1s on five-spoke 9.5-by-18-inch alloy wheels, and the Lightning will haul to a stop via four-wheel ABS disc brakes.

The exterior treatment is aggressive and well-integrated with SVT Cobra style driving lights, as well as rocker and rear panel treatment, with side-exit dual exhaust. The body colors remain red, black, or white.

The interior is finished in a rich looking, two-tone Harris suede and leather combination, 60/40 style, with a center fold-down console. The dash carries the SVT white faced gauges, the interior is medium graphite complimented with the XLT power accessories.

The Lightning retains its "truck" status with payload and towing ratings of 900 and 5000 pounds, respectively.

We liked the last Lightning, built on the previous F-150 platform and powered by the 5.8-liter V-8. But, Ford notes, that Lightning had 240 horsepower, just five more than the 5.4-liter V-8 now available in standard F-150 pickups. Horsepower and handling for the new Lightning should be light-years beyond the previous generation's, which was available in the 1993, '94, and '95 model years and should be able to meet any competition at the track.

The new Lightning should be ready for sale in the first quarter of '99, with a limited production of 4000 planned per model year. As for price, SVT isn't saying, but we're expecting it to come in at slightly less than $30,000-not bad for a 325-hp rocket that promises to be one of next year's most exciting performance vehicles.