Lightning's Plug is pulled
Oct 21, 2004 | 10:34 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Irving, TX
Lightning's Plug is pulled
I'm sure some have heard, if not then it's a sad day for Lightning owners, as well as SVT owners. 
Here is the article:
Lightning Struck: Ford decides to shelve SVT Lightning pickup
STEVEN COLE SMITH
Posted Date: 10/20/04
Ford has pulled the plug on the next-generation F-150 Lightning SVT pickup truck, instead putting all SVT's eggs into one basket - the SVT Cobra Mustang, due in 2006 as an '07 model.
"It's a business decision," said Alan Hall, SVT spokesman. The official line is that the Lightning has been "postponed," and not killed, but if it is revived, it will be 2008 or later before we see one. SVT has gone from three vehicles in 2004 - the Lightning, the Cobra Mustang and the SVT Focus - to none in 2005.
Ford had already shown a concept version of the next-generation Lightning in 2003. The concept had a supercharged V-8 engine with more than 500 horsepower, in answer to the Dodge Ram SRT-10, which eclipsed the Lightning as the world's fastest production pickup in a test last winter. Ford was eager to regain the crown, but has decided to deed the performance pickup-truck market over to Dodge and its 500-horse SRT-10, and to a lesser extent, Chevrolet, though the heavy all-wheel-drive Silverado SS is not in the same category.
The Lightning debuted in 1993, with a 240-horsepower version of Ford's 5.8-liter V-8. Cobby and not that attractive, it was only a mild success, and was dropped in 1995. The F-150's redesign led to a handsome new Lightning for 1999, featuring a 360-horsepower supercharged 5.4-liter V-8. A handful of 2004 Lightnings, not much changed from that 1999 model except for a horsepower bump to 380, remain on dealer lots. Base price: $33,560.
Apparently, cost played a leading role in the decision, as the expense involved in developing and certifying a proper V8, and massaging the new-for-2004 F-150's chassis, was deemed prohibitive. Also, the next-generation Lightning's fuel mileage would likely continue to detract from Ford's Corporate Average Fuel Economy totals: The current Lightning is rated at 12 mpg city, 16 mpg highway.
Even so, this news will not be popular with Lightning loyalists, such as Mike Philpot of Heathrow, Florida, who paid full sticker price for his Lightning in July, 1999. "My '99 Lightning has been a fantastic vehicle," he says. "It has about 54,000 miles on it, and it runs better than new. Never any problems. I bought an extended warranty from Ford, but I could have saved myself the money. It has it all: good looks, comfort, good handling and, of course, all that incredible power. Hardly a day goes by without at least one positive comment on it from someone.
"Hopefully, Ford will change its mind. If they want to keep the F-150 the most popular truck in the world with all the competition that it has now, they had better continue with their halo vehicle."
Here is the article:Lightning Struck: Ford decides to shelve SVT Lightning pickup
STEVEN COLE SMITH
Posted Date: 10/20/04
Ford has pulled the plug on the next-generation F-150 Lightning SVT pickup truck, instead putting all SVT's eggs into one basket - the SVT Cobra Mustang, due in 2006 as an '07 model.
"It's a business decision," said Alan Hall, SVT spokesman. The official line is that the Lightning has been "postponed," and not killed, but if it is revived, it will be 2008 or later before we see one. SVT has gone from three vehicles in 2004 - the Lightning, the Cobra Mustang and the SVT Focus - to none in 2005.
Ford had already shown a concept version of the next-generation Lightning in 2003. The concept had a supercharged V-8 engine with more than 500 horsepower, in answer to the Dodge Ram SRT-10, which eclipsed the Lightning as the world's fastest production pickup in a test last winter. Ford was eager to regain the crown, but has decided to deed the performance pickup-truck market over to Dodge and its 500-horse SRT-10, and to a lesser extent, Chevrolet, though the heavy all-wheel-drive Silverado SS is not in the same category.
The Lightning debuted in 1993, with a 240-horsepower version of Ford's 5.8-liter V-8. Cobby and not that attractive, it was only a mild success, and was dropped in 1995. The F-150's redesign led to a handsome new Lightning for 1999, featuring a 360-horsepower supercharged 5.4-liter V-8. A handful of 2004 Lightnings, not much changed from that 1999 model except for a horsepower bump to 380, remain on dealer lots. Base price: $33,560.
Apparently, cost played a leading role in the decision, as the expense involved in developing and certifying a proper V8, and massaging the new-for-2004 F-150's chassis, was deemed prohibitive. Also, the next-generation Lightning's fuel mileage would likely continue to detract from Ford's Corporate Average Fuel Economy totals: The current Lightning is rated at 12 mpg city, 16 mpg highway.
Even so, this news will not be popular with Lightning loyalists, such as Mike Philpot of Heathrow, Florida, who paid full sticker price for his Lightning in July, 1999. "My '99 Lightning has been a fantastic vehicle," he says. "It has about 54,000 miles on it, and it runs better than new. Never any problems. I bought an extended warranty from Ford, but I could have saved myself the money. It has it all: good looks, comfort, good handling and, of course, all that incredible power. Hardly a day goes by without at least one positive comment on it from someone.
"Hopefully, Ford will change its mind. If they want to keep the F-150 the most popular truck in the world with all the competition that it has now, they had better continue with their halo vehicle."
Oct 21, 2004 | 11:56 PM
#3
Oct 23, 2004 | 05:01 AM
#6
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 592
Likes: 0
From: DFW
yeah they were definately something to respect but my feelings are not hurt in the slightest 
but yes it does leave one less competitor out on the road and one less person i can surpris when i rip by em 
j/k
Trending Topics
Oct 24, 2004 | 01:07 PM
#9
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 537
Likes: 0
From: Kernersville, NC
We will all end up loosing on this deal. I was really hoping for a full size truck horsepower war between the big three. If Ford and Dodge both made true hot rod pick ups that were successful, it's likely that GM would have thrown their hats in the ring with a regular cab SS.
Oct 24, 2004 | 03:32 PM
#10
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 9,970
Likes: 0
From: Tampa Bay
there are still plenty of 99-04 Lightnings on the road and at the track. around here by far the most dominant track truck out there in terms of numbers (and ET but i wont say that on this board) 
still in 04 - the lowest numbers were made (due to production stopping in may) - there were about 3700 made. GM will NEVER make that few of a product - no matter what the enthusiasts say.
it is too bad. just like when the General struck down the fbody - but atleast they will build another one - just longer than expected. i hope GM comes out with something that will run the numbers stock with an L. i dont see it happening. track muscle trucks arent a priority. selling to mass markets are.
still in 04 - the lowest numbers were made (due to production stopping in may) - there were about 3700 made. GM will NEVER make that few of a product - no matter what the enthusiasts say.it is too bad. just like when the General struck down the fbody - but atleast they will build another one - just longer than expected. i hope GM comes out with something that will run the numbers stock with an L. i dont see it happening. track muscle trucks arent a priority. selling to mass markets are.