We exchanged stares as I passed by the engineers appreciating the Mustangs symphonic exhaust note and uniquely American styling, while I took in a brief glimpse of the Audi A3 hatchback, Audi A4 Avant, and Volkswagen Passat that the Germans were flogging through high-altitude tests. German engineers stared slack-jawed as the jet-black 1997 Ford Mustang Cobra Convertible roared toward them at 5,000 rpm in second gear. The stereo buttons are too small and require too much concentration to operate, and the rear seat lacks legroom, though it's quite hospitable for kids, and adults won't mind a short trip riding back there.Īpart from these minor gripes, the Contour SVT is a fine little sport sedan that we recommend heartily. Also, we wish there was a center armrest for Interstate cruising. The cupholders are no good at holding drinks when driving anywhere near as quickly as the Contour SVT wants to go. There are few items that we can complain about. Watch that rev limiter though, because the Contour SVT never feels like it's ready to give up as you rip through the gears on your way to a top speed of 143 mph. The engine revs freely, accompanied by a throaty growl that pastes a big grin on the driver's face. This car filters out road imperfections without disrupting the finer points of communication between car and driver. Impact harshness is not a term one can associate with a Contour SVT. Grip is extraordinary, and the ride is sensational. In terms of driving dynamics, the Contour SVT is one hell of a car. The braking system is still sourced from the Europe-only Ford Mondeo, and it features 10.9-inch vented front discs that help the Contour SVT slam to a stop from 60 mph in 134 feet, according to Ford testing. This translates to a somewhat unimpressive Ford-tested 0-60 time of 7.9 seconds, but the fun in running the Contour SVT to redline is in the mellifluous engine note, not sheer acceleration. The engine, a massaged 2.5-liter Duratec V6 that benefits from Extrude Hone Powerflow technology (a process that polishes the upper intake manifold plenum, intake runners and secondary intake ports with a gritty putty-like substance to improve airflow), still makes 195 horsepower at 6,625 rpm and 165 pound-feet of torque at 5,625 rpm. Headlining the SVT's list of goodies is the sweet V6 under the new hood. The result is the Contour SVT, and it promises to embarrass more than a few sport coupe owners in the stoplight drags or in a run through the twisties. The good news for enthusiasts is that Ford has sent the already-competent Contour to its Special Vehicle Team for some high-performance tuning. For 1998, exterior enhancements are designed to attract attention to this oft-forgotten compact car, while interior improvements are supposed to make it even more inviting to drive. To ensure optimum engine performance, SVT adapted the cooling system used by platformmate Ford Mondeo in Europe, and installed an oil cooler to further help keep temperatures under control.In the last two years, the Contour has won plenty of awards and has received great press from automotive critics, but still hasn't caught on with the public at large. The sound is delightfully devilish at wide-open throttle, yet not obnoxious at highway cruising speeds. Air is drawn through a large-capacity conical air cleaner and routed through a 2.25-inch stainless-steel exhaust system split into two mufflers with polished tips. Several SVT components supplanted stock units: specially ground camshafts, an increased-diameter throttle body, hypereutectic pistons, and a lighter flywheel. Applying a proven tuner trick to the aluminum powerplant, SVT used the Extrude Hone polishing procedure to maximize flow through the upper intake manifold and cylinder-head intake ports. Despite the attractive cosmetic upgrades, SVT's talents were best applied under the hood, massaging the available 2.5-liter/170-horsepower DOHC Duratec V-6 into an energetic 195-horse premium-fuel-slurper.
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