Ford's bold vision for a third-generation SVT F-150 Lightning sport truck emerged from a powerful new-product cloudburst at the 2003 North American International Auto Show.

The SVT Lightning concept was a surprise during Ford's unveiling of the all-new 2004 F-150. Launching a "Whole New Era of Built Ford Tough," the new F-150 is an all-new full-size pickup architecture designed for more power, refinement and unprecedented driving dynamics capability. It is the star of Ford Motor Company's biggest-ever wave of new-product introductions at the dawn of its Centennial year.

"We are excited about the new F-150, because it will provide an outstanding platform for the next-generation Lightning," says Tom Scarpello, marketing and sales manager for Ford Special Vehicle Team (SVT). "The SVT F-150 Lightning concept hints at what we could do with Lightning and sends a signal that we don't intend to give up our dominance of the sport truck market."

The SVT F-150 Lightning concept features a six-speed manual transmission, independent rear suspension and a 500-horsepower supercharged V-8. It is a powerful combination aimed at extending SVT Lightning's supremacy into the future.

Since it was introduced in 1993, the Ford SVT F-150 Lightning has been the undisputed sport truck king, making a name for itself as the "World's Fastest Production Pickup."
Ten years later, competitors are finally bringing Lightning imitators to market. John Coletti, director, SVT Programs, welcomes the challenge.

"It will be nice to finally have a little cross-town rivalry," Coletti said. "But we have no intention of being overshadowed on our home turf. The SVT Lightning Concept showcases technology we're developing to meet the competition head-on."

Cool Technology Takes Power to New Levels

Coletti's team fit the SVT Lightning concept with an all-aluminum,
5.4-liter DOHC supercharged and intercooled V-8 engine conservatively rated at 500 horsepower and 500 foot pounds of torque (SAE net). And while they were at it, they invented and patented a speed secret for those times when even that much power just isn't enough.

Ford's patented SuperCooler technology cleverly provides a special burst of power for the SVT Lightning concept. Traditional intercoolers dissipate heat from the supercharged air by circulating coolant through a front-mounted, air-cooled radiator. With the SuperCooler system, the vehicle's air conditioning system is used to chill a small storage tank of coolant to about 30 degrees Fahrenheit.

On demand, the SuperCooler system switches the intercooler flow from its normal circulation and dumps the chilled coolant into the engine's intercooler. In turn, the intercooler dissipates up to 20 percent more heat from the charge air - resulting in a denser air charge.

A green light on the instrument panel indicates the system's readiness. SuperCooler is activated automatically when the driver depresses the accelerator to a wide-open-throttle position.

"This technology plays directly into the hands of the enthusiast," Coletti says. "The SuperCooler provides the edge for the driver, and it is done simply by taking advantage of the hardware that already exists in the vehicle."

As a result of this cool technology, the SVT Lighting concept can give its driver as much as 50 transient horsepower for short bursts of 30-45 seconds and regenerate within 2 minutes under normal driving conditions. While its effect is similar to that of an aftermarket nitrous oxide system, the SuperCooler is completely self-contained, environmentally friendly and regenerative.

The SVT Lightning concept engine features a Lysholm, screw-type supercharger, paired with both an intercooler and the new SuperCooler system. The 32-valve, double-overhead-cam powerplant boasts Manley connecting rods, two fuel injectors per cylinder and high-performance heads similar to those on the limited-edition 2000 Ford SVT Mustang Cobra R.

Exhaust gases escape through free-flowing headers and dual side pipes, producing a classic American V-8 rumble. Power is delivered to the rear wheels through a six-speed manual transmission. The same Tremec T-56 transmission is used in the 2003 Ford SVT Mustang Cobra. In keeping with the performance nature of the SVT Lightning, the short-throw, console-mounted shifter is more like that of a sports car than a traditional pickup's long-shaft, floor mounted shift lever.

SVT Lightning Concept's Driving Dynamics

The SVT F-150 Lightning concept features an independent rear suspension and SVT's famous attention to every detail of the suspension, steering and braking systems for driving dynamic capabilities that match the sport truck's awesome power.

The concept truck's handling potential is immediately apparent, evidenced by massive 22-inch cast aluminum wheels that convey power even standing still. The wheels are wrapped in hand-cut Goodyear P295/40R22 tires in front and P325/45R22 tires at the rear.

Visible through the six-spoke wheels are equally impressive Brembo brakes - six-piston calipers in front, four-piston at the rear - mated to platter-size, 380-millimeter, cross-drilled ventilated discs.

SVT engineers chose to fit an independent rear suspension (IRS) system to the Lightning concept in lieu of F-150's standard Hotchkiss type solid rear axle with leaf springs and outboard shock absorbers. The IRS unit was adapted from the Ford Expedition.

"The new architecture of the F-150 made it easier for us to adapt the independent rear suspension system," says Jeff Feit, SVT Lightning chassis and powertrain engineer. "This allowed us to reduce unsprung weight even further and fine-tune the handling in true SVT style."

The front suspension is derived from the new F-150, with the upper control arms modified to accommodate the oversized wheel and tires. The new rack-and-pinion steering system of the F-150 contributes to the SVT Lightning concept truck's steering precision.

Quick-Out-of-the-Box Design

The new SVT Lightning concept isn't just built for speed off the line. It was designed to be quick out of the box, thanks to a new F-150 modular design architecture that's geared
to flexibility. That made it possible to show off the new SVT Lightning concept as a possible derivative of the new F-150 immediately at the truck's public unveiling.

"Modular design lends itself to special editions like this," says Craig Metros, F-150 chief designer. "Changing details such the front grille, the side body panels and interior trim transforms the truck. The result is a specialized, high-performance model, far from being just a wheel-and-tire package."

 

i didnt bother to read it, but if its about ford and the L, no, we shouldn't be scared, because frankly we have nothing to even compete with it

 

To paraphrase:
6 speed manual, 500HP, 500ftlbs (these are conservative numbers according to Furd)
Supercooler technology (spare coolant is stored and cooled by the A/C to 30 degrees F and when at WOT released into the rest of the cooler worth 50 extra HP)
22 cast alum wheels, blah blah blah...

 

I've said it before, do you think GM will actually make a truck that would put down comparative, if not better numbers than it's flagship the Corvette?

 

man that is uglier than that ricer firebird that was posted. regardless of the horse power and torque numbers. the stylin would keep me away from that obsurdity. what the hell is with the auto manufacturers nowadays there all going to this futuristic BS.
I know its just my opinion and if you dont agree thats fine but the way the are designing vehicles now, dont really help with the airodynamics.or the styling.sorry guys didnt mean to blow up like that its just the lightning looked pretty good allready and they had to go and mess it up.

 

Remember it's still a Ford. I used to be a Ford mechanic, and had owned almost nothing but Fords. I will never buy another one of their products, everything they make except their trucks pretty much falls apart.

Chevy if they wanted could make a truck to compete for this top dog fastest truck, just as everyone else could also, but remember it is such a small league of people that will be able to afford such vehicles anyway. Just watch and wait and see how expensive this thing is going to be, same thing with the RT 500 Dodge, but with the Dodge first test results showed very very lackluster performance numbers!

 

I for one can't afford a truck like that. What I can afford is what i have now and to do basic mods here and there. I know i will never see 12 secs in my truck but if i get into the low 14's I would be extremely happy as long as i didn't break the bank getting there.
Yes, Chevy could make a hi powered truck that would rival the L but like hodgeee said, how many people would buy it. the ss is already way way way overpriced in my book.
asking price is 40K for the ss and 32 for the L......hmmm

 

why even buy a truck that does that?... why not just buy a vette?

 

Well, the engine bay is PIMP I wonder if the production model will be that clean.

 

Either way look at the engine bay!

Clean smooth and powerful.... too bad its a Ford...