Ford Contour SVT specifications
Last Updated on July 30, 2024 by Mutiara
These specifications focus on the SVT and 6 cylinder version of the Ford Contour, comparing them both. They share some data in common with the other list of Contour specifications.
Gear ratios
| Gear | Ratio | Overall Ratio | (RPM)Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 3.42:1 | 13.89:1 | (6750) 35 mph (56 kph) |
| 2nd | 2.14:1 | 8.69:1 | (6750) 56 mph (90 kph) |
| 3rd | 1.45:1 | 5.89:1 | (6750) 82 mph (132 kph) |
| 4th | 1.03:1 | 4.18:1 | (6750) 117 mph (188 kph) |
| 5th | 0.77:1 | 3.13:1 | (6310 est) 143 mph (230 kph) |
| Reverse | 3.42:1 |
General specifications
| SVT Contour (E0) | Contour SE (V6-MTX) | |
|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Type | Five-passenger/four-door | same |
| EPA Class | Compact | same |
| Platform Designation | CDW27 | same |
| Built | Kansas City Assembly – Claycomo, Missouri, USA (Each individually inspected by SVT) | Kansas City Assembly – Claycomo, Missouri, USA Mexico Assembly – Cuautitlan, Mexico |
| Dealership (sold at) | SVT-qualified dealerships (~730) | All Ford dealerships (~4800) |
| Production Run | 5000 (limited) | (unlimited) |
| Cost | Invoice: $20,375 MSRP: $22,365 Destination Charge: $535 Dealer Hold Back: 3% of the Total MSRP | Invoice: $14,585 MSRP: $15,955 Destination Charge: $535 Dealer Hold Back: 3% of the Total MSRP |
| Competition | Audi A4 2.8 BMW 328i Nissan Maxima SE Pontiac Grand Prix GTP Volkswagen Jetta GLX | Pontiac Grand Am Acura Integra GS-R BMW 318ti Chevrolet Malibu Dodge Stratus ES Nissan Altima SE |
| Warranties | ||
| Basic | 3 yr./36000 mi | same |
| Drivetrain | 3 yr./36000 mi | same |
| Rust | 5 yr./unlimited mi | same |
| 24/7 Roadside Assistance | 3 yr./36000 mi | same |
| Dealership (service) | Any Ford authorized service center | same |
| Engine | ||
| Name | Duratec | same |
| Configuration | Transversely mounted, 60-degree V6, cast aluminum-alloy block and heads (Cosworth Casting Technology), iron cylinder liners, fully counterweighted forged steel crankshaft, crankshaft windage tray, crankshaft’s bearing journals induction hardened, aluminum-alloy main bearing inserts and rod bearing inserts, lightened modular-iron flywheel (2 lbs. lighter), sinter-forged alloy connecting rods, specially design aluminum-alloy pistons, fully floating piston pins, structural aluminum-alloy oil pan | Transversely mounted, 60-degree V6, cast aluminum-alloy block and heads (Cosworth Casting Technology), iron cylinder liners, fully counterweighted forged steel crankshaft, crankshaft windage tray, crankshaft’s bearing journals induction hardened, sinter-forged alloy connecting rods, aluminum-alloy main bearing inserts and rod bearing inserts, structural aluminum-alloy oil pan |
| Bore x Stroke | 82.4mm (3.24″) Bore x 79.5mm (3.13″) Stroke | same |
| Displacement | 2.5 liter/2544cc/155cid | same |
| Compression Ratio | 10.0:1 | 9.7:1 |
| Horsepower | 195 hp @ 6625 RPM | 170 hp @ 6250 RPM |
| Horsepower (at the wheels) | 165 hp @ 6600 RPM (measured by CEG member) | 142 hp @ 6000 RPM (measured by CEG member) |
| Torque | 165 lb./ft. @ 5625 RPM | 165 lb./ft. @ 4250 RPM |
| Torque (at the wheels) | 148 lb./ft. @ (2700 and 4400) RPM (measured by CEG member) | 154.1 ft-lbs @ 2600 RPM (measured by CEG member – modified exhaust) |
| Redline | 6750 RPM (fuel shut-off at 7000 RPM) | same |
| Specific Output | 76.6 hp per liter | 68 hp per liter |
| Weight/horsepower | 15.8 lbs. per hp | 18.2 lbs. per hp |
| Fuel System | Ford EEC-V engine-control system, Sequential electronic multiport fuel injection | same |
| Fuel Injectors | 19 lb./hr. @ 55PSI | same |
| Valvetrain | Double overhead cams (hollow camshafts), cam-lobes made with high chromium content to reduce wear, 250-degrees advance on primary lobe, chain-drive, cam chains have hydraulic tensioners, roller finger followers with hydraulic valve-lash adjustment, ovate-wire valve springs, four valves per cylinder, four main bearings, larger butterfly port throttles (34mm) in its variable-length intake ports, extrude-honed secondary ports | Double overhead cams, 244-degrees advance on primary lobe, chain-drive, cam chains have hydraulic tensioners, roller finger followers with hydraulic valve-lash adjustment, four valves per cylinder, four main bearings |
| Extrude Honed | equalizes the diameter of the intake runners, when flowing both head and intake together this setup has produced a creditable 194 cfm at max-valve lift on the intake | |
| Cylinder heads | Cast aluminum (with extrude honed secondary ports) | Cast Aluminum |
| Intake valves | 2 per cylinder, 32mm head diameter | same |
| Intake manifold | Dual runner induction system, airflow-tuned upper intake, cast aluminum plenum chamber, extrude honed internal surfaces (plenum and intake runners) | Dual runner induction system, airflow-tuned upper intake, cast aluminum plenum chamber |
| Secondary intakes | Open at 3900 RPM (3400 RPM at WOT) | same |
| Exhaust valves | 2 per cylinder, 26mm head diameter | same |
| Exhaust valve springs | Ovate-wire | same |
| Throttle body | 60mm bore (2.36 in) | 50mm bore (1.97 in) |
| Mass-air sensor | 70mm diameter | |
| Exhaust manifolds | Steel tube (clamshell design) | same |
| Exhaust system | 2.25 in (57mm) quasi-dual (Y-spilt after the catalytic converter & the resonator) stainless steel, 2.5 in (63.5mm) polished stainless steel tips, 40% less back pressure at 6000 RPM | 2.0 in (50.8mm) Stainless steel single exhaust |
| Oil Cooler | Water-to-Oil Cooler mounted to left side of engine block with the oil filter mounted on its end, water returning from the radiator to the engine block first runs through the cooler | None |
| Radiator | 44mm deep fins (from European Mondeo), redesigned front fascia allows more air in for better cooling (50% larger opening), pair of 25 in “euro” cooling fans | 28mm deep fins |
| Air Filter | Special conically shaped high-performance air filter (30% less restrictive intake) | Standard box shaped air filter |
| Firing Order (Cylinders) | 1-4-2-5-3-6 | same |
| Idle Speed | 750 rpm (Not adjustable, computer controlled) | |
| Future Wish-list | “Ford designed the heads on the Duratec to incorporate variable valve timing if needed in the future.” (from CEG member) | same |
| Structure/Body | ||
| Structure | Steel unibody | same |
| Coefficient of Drag (Cd.) | 0.31 | |
| Drivetrain | ||
| Layout | Front-engine/front-wheel-drive sedan | same |
| Final drive | 4.06:1 | same |
| Transaxle | Five-speed manual (MTX-75, not the heavy duty version), short throw shifter, two spider gears, synchronized reverse gear | same |
| Clutch | upgraded – new springs and friction material | |
| Driveshaft | Steel, with hardened yoke | same |
| Wheels & Tires | ||
| Wheels | 16×6.5 in (406mm x 165mm), cast-aluminum, painted surface, 5-spoke, 49.5mm offset | 15×6.5 aluminum alloy |
| Tires | P205/55ZR16 Goodyear Eagle GS-C, uni-directional tread pattern | P205/60TR15 Steel-Belted radial, all-season |
| Suspension | ||
| Front | MacPherson strut, lower A-arms, coil springs (with recalibrated -stiffer- spring curves), tube shock dampers (re-valved for SVT), unique 19mm stabilizer bar | MacPherson strut, lower A-arms, coil springs, tube shock dampers, 20mm stabilizer bar |
| Rear | Independent Quadra link design, strut (re-valved shocks for SVT), with one lower trailing arm, two transverse links, coil spring, 18mm stabilizer bar, design allows small amount of passive rear-wheel steer | Independent Quadra link design, strut, with one lower trailing arm, two transverse links, coil spring, 18mm stabilizer bar, design allows small amount of passive rear-wheel steer |
| Steering | ||
| Type | Power assist, rack & pinion | same |
| Gear Ratio | 14.5:1 (on center) | same |
| Turns, lock to lock | same | |
| Turning diameter | 38.4 ft. | same |
| Brakes | ||
| Pedal | vacuum power assist | same |
| Front | 10.94-in(278mm) vented discs, single-piston caliper, swept area 232 in2 (20.8% more), dacronet-plated (prevents rust on unswept areas) | 10.2-in(259.1mm) vented discs, single-piston caliper, swept area 192 in2 |
| Rear | 9.88-in (251mm) vented disc, single-piston caliper, swept area 152 in2, dacronet-plated (prevents rust on unswept areas) | 9.88-in (251mm) vented disc, single-piston caliper, swept area 152 in2 |
| ABS | Ford 4-channel/4-sensor system, modulates and adjusts each of the four calipers every 10 milliseconds | same |
| Amenities | ||
| Included | Supplemental restraint system: Driver- and passenger-side (air bags) “Safety Cell” structure. Anti-Lock Brake System. Passive Anti-Theft System (PATS)(disables ignition when activated). Articulated sport seats (10-way power for driver) with leather/vinyl trim. Includes adjustable lumbar support. White-faced guage cluster. SVT suspension tuning. Special SVT body/ground effects kit. Air-conditioning/manual control. Inner-aiming head lamps. Premium Electronic AM/FM stereo cassette. Power Equipment Group: Duel electric remote control mirrors, power side windows, power door locks, power antenna. Rear window defroster. Speed control. Front floor mats. Dual illuminated visor mirrors. Remote keyless illuminated entry. Particulate air filtration system. Tilt Steering Column. 60/40 split fold-down rear seat (releases located in trunk for safety). Variable-timed interval windshield wipers. Remote decklid release. Height adjustable front seat belts. Child-proof rear doors. Rear center 3 point belt. Leather-wrapped steering wheel. Leather-wrapped shift knob. 5 mph front/rear bumpers. No spoiler available | |
| Optional | Electronic AM/FM stereo with compact disc player Power moonroof with sliding sunshade | |
| Color & Trim | ||
| Exterior | Black Clearcoat, Silver Frost Clearcoat Metallic, Toreador Red Clearcoat Metallic | |
| Interior | Midnight Blue Interior, Perforated leather seating surfaces | |
| Dimensions, Capacities, etc. | ||
| Wheelbase | 106.5 in (2705mm) | same |
| Length | 183.9 in (4671mm) | same |
| Height | 54.5 in (1384mm) | same |
| Width | 69.1 in (1755mm) | same |
| Ground Clearance | 6.1 in (156mm) | 8.2 in (208mm) |
| Track, F/R | 59.2 in/58.5 in (1504mm/1486mm) | same |
| Passenger Volume (front/rear) | 52 ft.3/39 ft.3 | same |
| Head Room, F/R | 39.0 in/35.0 in (991mm/889mm) | same |
| Shoulder Room, F/R | 53.9 in/53.3 in | same |
| Hip Room, F/R | 50.7 in/45.5 in | same |
| Leg Room, F/R | 42.4 in/34.3 in | same |
| Seatback adjustment, Front | 85 degrees | same |
| Seat travel, Front | 8.5 in | same |
| Curb Weight | 3068 lbs. (1393kg) | 3030 lbs. (1374kg) |
| Weight Distribution, F/R, % | 63/37 | same |
| Towing Capacity (Std/Max) | 1000 lb./1000 lb. | |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 14.5 gal. (54.8 liters) | same |
| Trunk volume | 13.9 ft.3 | same |
| Oil Pressure | 20 to 45 PSI (at 1500 RPM (hot)) | same |
| Spark Plugs | Type: Motorcraft AZFS-22pp Gap: 0.050 inch | same |
| Radiator Cap opening pressure | 16 PSI | same |
| Fuel Filter | Motorcraft FG-800A | same |
| Headlights | 9005 (high beam), 9006 (low beam) | same |
| Battery | 55 AH maintenance-free | same |
| Alternator | 130 Amp | same |
| Tune-Up Interval | 100,000 miles (under normal driving conditions with routine fluid and filter changes) | same |
| Engine Oil | 5.5 quarts | same |
| Cooling System | 9.1 quarts | same |
| MTX | 2.7 qts (up to late 99), 2.2 qts (00) | same |
| Fuel (type) | 91 octane | 87 octane |
| Performance | ||
| 0-30 mph | 2.5 sec | |
| 0-40 mph | 3.8 sec | |
| 0-50 mph | 5.2 sec | |
| 0-60 mph | 7.9 sec (officially) 7.1 sec (un-officially) | 8.1 sec (officially) 7.7 sec (un-officially) |
| 0-100 kph | 8.3 sec | |
| 0-70 mph | 9.3 sec | |
| 0-80 mph | 11.6 sec | |
| 0-90 mph | 14.8 sec | |
| 0-100 mph | 18.8 sec | 21.8 sec |
| 0-120 mph | 33.3 sec | |
| Street start, 5-60 mph | 8.0 sec | 8.1 sec |
| top gear, 30-50 mph | 9.6 sec | |
| top gear, 50-70 mph | 9.9 sec | |
| 0-100 ft. | 3.3 sec | |
| 0-500 ft. | 8.4 sec | |
| 0-1320 ft., Quarter mile | 15.7 sec @ 88.7 mph (officially) 15.4 sec @ 91.5 mph (un-officially) | 15.9 sec @ 88 mph |
| Top Speed | 143 mph (drag limited) (officially) 150+ (unofficially, from CEG member) | 112 mph (governed limited) |
| Braking, 60-0 mph | 129 ft. | |
| Braking, 70-0 mph | 164 ft. | 188 ft. |
| Braking, 80-0 mph | 228 ft. | |
| Braking, 100-0 mph | 351 ft. | |
| Slalom, 100 ft. gates | 64.8 mph | |
| 600 ft. slalom | 67.7 mph | |
| 200 ft. skidpad | 0.84g | |
| 300 ft. skidpad | 0.80g | |
| Handling Balance | mild/moderate understeer | |
| Emergency lane change maneuver | 63.3 mph | |
| Interior sound level | idle 50 dBA full throttle 78 dBA 50-mph cruising 66 dBA 70-mph cruising 72 dBA 70-mph coasting 71 dBA | |
| Engine RPM at cruising | 2650 rpm (5th gear @ 60mph) 3490 rpm (5th gear @ 80mph) | |
| EPA fuel economy (City/Hwy) | 20 mpg/29 mpg | 24 mpg/35 mpg |
| Range in Miles (City/Hwy) | 290 mi/421 mi | 348 mi/508 mi |
| Crash Test Results | Driver Rating = very good Passenger Rating = good | Driver Rating = very good Passenger Rating = good |
