No more Lightning, but SHO Volvos?

[JST]

The Car Connection is reporting that Ford has axed the idea of a Lightning based on the new F150, saying development costs are too high. Officially, it's postponed until at least 2008.

The leaves SVT with only one product in 2006, assuming that there is no SVT Fusion the first year of production (which seems like a good assumption). If you are a dealer that paid for SVT certification, Ford's inability to deliver product has got to piss you off more than a little.

In other news, the C/D review of the new XC90 V8 reports that the 311 hp 4.XL V8 being used in that SUV is a derivation of the late, largely unlamented 3.4L Yamaha V8 that was used in the last SHO Taurus. Weird how these things pop back up. The idea of a V8 P2 is kind of a cool one, though--I wonder if the V8 would fit into the S60R?


EDIT: Almost makes me want to get an XC90, just to get the plate "SHOLVO"

[blee]

Originally Posted by JST

The Car Connection is reporting that Ford has axed the idea of a Lightning based on the new F150, saying development costs are too high. Officially, it's postponed until at least 2008.

The leaves SVT with only one product in 2006, assuming that there is no SVT Fusion the first year of production (which seems like a good assumption). If you are a dealer that paid for SVT certification, Ford's inability to deliver product has got to piss you off more than a little.

In other news, the C/D review of the new XC90 V8 reports that the 311 hp 4.XL V8 being used in that SUV is a derivation of the late, largely unlamented 3.4L Yamaha V8 that was used in the last SHO Taurus. Weird how these things pop back up. The idea of a V8 P2 is kind of a cool one, though--I wonder if the V8 would fit into the S60R?


EDIT: Almost makes me want to get an XC90, just to get the plate "SHOLVO"

Bizarre on the engine thing. I just assumed that that V8 was dead.

SVT was already on somewhat shaky ground with dealers with their lack of any product at all in '05. Now that the Lightning is not coming back any time soon, you're right; I don't see much incentive unless there's a lot of SVT Mustang (whatever it will be called) volume and margin. Other than that, they will have the honor of dealing with whiny SVT owners looking for warranty coverage.