2002 Ford Focus SVT

63,725 Original Miles

Manual Transmission

2.0L DOHC 4 Cyl

170 hp @ 7000 RPM*

145 lb/ft torque @ 5500 RPM*

Capable 0-60 MPH: 6.9 seconds

Top Speed: 125 MPH

Base Price in 2002: $17,995

*Seller Asking:

$11,500

The SVT Focus is nearly identical to the Focus ST sold in Europe at the time (ST170). This is Ford’s first hot hatch designed for the U.S
Ford joined forces with Cosworth to turn the standard 2.0L Zetec engine from the base Focus into a high revving N/A powerplant. This involved designing a bespoke, high-flowing aluminum cylinder head with stiff valve springs to allow for a 7,000 RPM+ redline. High compression aluminum pistons (now 10.2:1) are paired with forged connecting rods, and piston oil squirters are employed to cool the pistons. The intake cam uses variable timing, and the exhaust features a 4-2-1 tubular exhaust header
The setup is topped off with a two-stage intake manifold that routes air through long, narrow runners below 6,000 RPM (enhancing low-end torque). Above 6,000 RPM, the incoming air is routed through short intake runners to meet the breathing requirements of high RPM operation. Max redline is 7,200 RPM
This powerplant (known as Zetec-R) is unique not just because of its high RPM character, but by how much low RPM torque is retained with a 7k RPM redline: 85 % of the SVT’s torque is available at 2200 RPM (20% more than the standard engine). Most high revving N/A 4 cylinder hot hatches at the time were truly lacking low-end grunt, such as the K20 powered RSX Type S
“In the [Integra] GSR or even RSX when we ran dyno tests, this SVT Focus had 10 to 15 lb-ft more torque at almost every rpm level,” said sport compact super tuner Oscar Jackson. “The RSX is a great car but you have to spin it to get anything out of it. The SVT Focus pulls – you don’t have to do two downshifts to pass, you only have to do one.”
The SVT features a dual mass flywheel along with the 6spd Getrag gearbox from the Mini Cooper S (rather than the 5spd on the standard Focus). The 6spd fits within the space of a 5spd thanks to a clever “twin layshaft” design (it uses two separate final drives). Gears 1, 2, 5, and 6 use a 2.88:1 final drive, while gears 3, 4, and reverse use a 4.25:1 final drive. The overall ratio for 1st gear is 12.7:1, while 6th gear is 3.1:1 overall
Nearly every component of the suspension is revised for SVT duty, which includes stiffer bushings and anti-roll bars. The 11.8-inch vented front brake rotors are almost an inch larger than the base car, and the rears are upgraded from drum brakes to solid disc

Key Model Year Changes:

First year of the SVT Focus. Only available as a 3 door
The following year (2003) was the first year of the European Appearance package (only available on 3-door models). 2003 was also the first year of the 5 door model
Very few changes occurred between model years of the SVT Focus
SVT production began in 2002 and ended in 2004

Specs: