autoevolution
 

Body style: Convertible (spider/spyder, cabrio/cabriolet, drop/open/soft top)
Segment: Roadster & Convertible
Production years: 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005

FORD Thunderbird 2001-2005 10 Photos
FORD Thunderbird (2001-2005)FORD Thunderbird (2001-2005)FORD Thunderbird (2001-2005)FORD Thunderbird (2001-2005)FORD Thunderbird (2001-2005)FORD Thunderbird (2001-2005)FORD Thunderbird (2001-2005)FORD Thunderbird (2001-2005)FORD Thunderbird (2001-2005)FORD Thunderbird (2001-2005)

With its retro-design look and modern features, the 2001 Thunderbird should have been a blast from the past and revive the brand name, but it was a flop.

Ford launched the eleventh generation of the Thunderbird in 1999 as a 2001 model-year. It was based on the same platform as the Jaguar XF or the Lincoln LS. When it unveiled it, the whole market was enthusiastic, but that enthusiasm didn't last long, and the T-Bird sunk with slow sales. Its production ended in 2005.

The design was inspired by the first-generation of the T-Bird. The retro-design style could have been seen on the front fascia, with its big and round headlights and the flat, chromed grille with square-grid mesh. With a sloped silhouette, which started taller on the front fenders and descended toward the rear, the convertible inspired the old-style design theme, but in a modern interpretation. The hardtop featured an oval window on the C-pillar, resembling older Thunderbirds.

For the interior, Ford tried for several years to find the materials which would suit best for the car. In the end, it put just the same thing as in most of its other vehicles. A good thing was the new look for the instrument cluster, which featured four semi-circular dials, with red needles on white faces. But those didn't look too good next to the green LCD lettering placed on the bottom. Since the T-Bird was built as a personal luxury coupe, it featured two seats at the front and a bench in the back, all leather-wrapped.

Ford chose to fit one engine under the Thunderbird's hood: a 3.9-liter V8 taken from Jaguar. It was paired to a standard 5-speed automatic transmission. Later on, in 2003, T-Bird received an updated version, which provided 284 hp.

FORD Thunderbird 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005
  2 gasoline engines
  • 4.0L 5AT V6 (256 HP)
  • 4.0L V8 5AT (284 HP)

FORD Thunderbird
4.0L 5AT V6 (256 HP)

ENGINE SPECS - 4.0L 5AT V6 (256 HP)
Cylinders:V8
Displacement:3950 cm3
Power:188 KW @ 6100 RPM
256 HP @ 6100 RPM
252 BHP @ 6100 RPM
Torque:266 lb-ft @ 4300 RPM
361 Nm @ 4300 RPM
Fuel System:Electronic Injection
Fuel:Gasoline
PERFORMANCE SPECS
Top Speed:130 mph (209 km/h)
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph):7 s
TRANSMISSION SPECS
Drive Type:Rear Wheel Drive
Gearbox:5-speed automatic
BRAKES SPECS
Front:Ventilated Discs
Rear:Ventilated Discs
TIRES SPECS
Tire Size:215/60 R16
DIMENSIONS
Length:186.3 in (4732 mm)
Width:72 in (1829 mm)
Height:52.1 in (1323 mm)
Front/rear Track:60.5/60.2 in (1,537/1,529 mm)
Wheelbase:107.2 in (2723 mm)
Ground Clearance:5.5 in (140 mm)
Cargo Volume:6.7 cuFT (190 L)
WEIGHT SPECS
Unladen Weight:3746 lbs (1699 kg)
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC)
City:17 mpg US (13.8 L/100Km)
Highway:23.1 mpg US (10.2 L/100Km)

FORD Thunderbird
4.0L V8 5AT (284 HP)

ENGINE SPECS - 4.0L V8 5AT (284 HP)
Cylinders:V8
Displacement:3950 cm3
Power:208.1 KW @ 6000 RPM
283 HP @ 6000 RPM
279 BHP @ 6000 RPM
Torque:286 lb-ft @ 4000 RPM
388 Nm @ 4000 RPM
Fuel System:Electronic Injection
Fuel:Gasoline
PERFORMANCE SPECS
Top Speed:137 mph (220 km/h)
Acceleration 0-62 Mph (0-100 kph):6.8 s
TRANSMISSION SPECS
Drive Type:Rear Wheel Drive
Gearbox:5-speed automatic
BRAKES SPECS
Front:Ventilated Discs
Rear:Ventilated Discs
TIRES SPECS
Tire Size:235/50 VR 17
DIMENSIONS
Length:186.3 in (4732 mm)
Width:72 in (1829 mm)
Height:52.1 in (1323 mm)
Front/rear Track:60.5/60.2 in (1,537/1,529 mm)
Wheelbase:107.2 in (2723 mm)
Ground Clearance:5.5 in (140 mm)
Cargo Volume:6.7 cuFT (190 L)
WEIGHT SPECS
Unladen Weight:3774 lbs (1712 kg)
FUEL ECONOMY (NEDC)
City:17 mpg US (13.8 L/100Km)
Highway:22.8 mpg US (10.3 L/100Km)
  report a mistake on this page