Ford Thunderbird (eleventh generation)
| Eleventh-generation Ford Thunderbird | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Ford |
| Production | November 2000—2005 |
| Assembly | Wixom, Michigan |
| Designer | Jack Telnack (1997) |
| Body and chassis | |
| Body style | 2-door coupé 2-door convertible |
| Layout | Front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout |
| Platform | Ford DEW98 platform |
| Related |
Jaguar S-Type Lincoln LS Jaguar XF |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 3.9 L AJ35 V8 |
| Transmission | 5-speed automatic |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 107.2 in (2,723 mm) |
| Length | 186.3 in (4,732 mm) |
| Width | 72 in (1,829 mm) |
| Height | 52.1 in (1,323 mm) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Ford Thunderbird (tenth generation) |
FAB 1 on display at the Heritage Motor Centre
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| References | Pang, Alex; Richards, Jon (2004). Thunderbirds X-Ray Cross-Sections. Oxford University Press. p. 33. ISBN . |
|---|---|
| General characteristics | |
| Class | Customised Ford |
| Maximum speed | 199 miles per hour (320 km/h) 100 knots (190 km/h; 120 mph) (on water) 5,664 miles per hour (9,115 km/h) (in air) |
| Armaments | Mini-guns, heat-seeking missile launchers, torpedo tubes |
| Propulsion | Gas turbine jet engine, hover engines |
| Power | Nuclear fusion reactor |
| Mass | 3.3 long tons (3.4 t) |
| Length | 26 feet (7.9 m) |
| Width | 7 feet (2.1 m) |
| Height | 5.5 feet (1.7 m) |
The eleventh generation of the Ford Thunderbird is a personal luxury car that was produced by Ford for the 2001 to 2005 model years. It was based on the Ford DEW platform. Although it was initially well received by the automotive press, garnering accolades such as the Motor Trend Car of the Year and a nomination for the North American Car of the Year in its first year of existence, many publications regarded the Thunderbird's revival rather more frostily after a few years; it garnered a place on Car and Driver magazine's 2009 list of "The 10 Most Embarrassing Award Winners in Automotive History".
When the eleventh-generation Thunderbird was released, it followed the then-recent trend for nostalgic recreations of old-fashioned (or "retro") styling (see Volkswagen New Beetle, Chrysler PT Cruiser, Plymouth/Chrysler Prowler, MINI Cooper), using design cues from the original Thunderbird. Available only as a convertible with a soft top and an optional removable hardtop, according to automotive writer Jerry Flint, the new Thunderbird "turned heads wherever it went."
Ford expected sales of 25,000 units per year, but despite strong sales during its initial launch which had dealers charging well over the manufacturer's suggested retail price, this goal could not be met after the introductory year. The 2002 Thunderbird sold 31,368 units and sales declined each subsequent year until its cancellation.
Forbes magazine writer Jerry Flint attributed significant blame of the latest generation Thunderbird's demise to a lack of proper sales and marketing, writing: "Ford dealers have been successful selling $35,000-45,000 trucks, but have little experience selling automobiles in the near-luxury price range. If there was a marketing effort by Ford Motor, I wasn't aware of it. Naturally, sales didn't meet expectations."
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