SVT LIVES . . . SORT OF

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Ford Racing's weekly e-mail blast contains a link to a video of a camouflaged "SVT F-150" cavorting at speed off-road in the desert.

Sure, a high-performance OEM pre-runner truck is an idea that's probably long past due. Most certainly, this was an idea birthed in an earlier time, when trucks were an easier sale to a less fuel-economy-conscious market.

Many commentators are undoubtedly disappointed that Ford isn't totally focused on a sport compact or something that's more fuel efficient, such as a high performance hybrid-electric V8 Mustang. Others are likely unhappy that Ford's "SVT /F-150" isn't a rebirth of the storied Lightning street truck. And some "appliance motorists" will see a large niche truck as an unnecessary diversion from the expected rebirth of Ford as a producer of gas-sipping FWD mini-compacts.

While such carping is valid, it misses a larger point.

From the video, it's hard to tell whether or not the "SVT F-150" is going to be a true high performance vehicle in any venue but off-road. However, its positive that the SVT brand may be attached to some future product that's apparently not just a '70s-style sticker & stripe poser.

Long live SVT!