2003 T- Bird Revealed

LAS VEGAS, Nov. 5, 2002 - The award-winning Ford Thunderbird gets even better for 2003 with an additional 28 horsepower and other powertrain refinements among the list of upgrades for the new model year.

"From horsepower to heated seats, the 2003 Thunderbird features upgrades inside and out," says Thunderbird chief engineer J.D. Shanahan. "We're dedicated to delivering the most refined vehicle possible. The 2003 Thunderbird delivers 'relaxed sportiness,' a unique combination of balanced performance and touring comfort."

One of Ford's Living Legends, Thunderbird returned last year as a modern interpretation of the classic '50s roadster capturing Motor Trend magazine's Car of the Year award, People's Choice Car of the Year, Auto Interiors 2002 Interior of the Year and MotorWeek television's Best Convertible.

The 2002 Thunderbird also swept rare double honors in owner surveys by J.D. Power and Associates. Last spring, Thunderbird received a best in class ranking for initial quality. Last month, Thunderbird topped the same, highly competitive entry luxury segment in Power's annual Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) study, which asks new buyers about "things gone right."

For 2003, Thunderbird features a number of improvements large and small. They include: An additional 28 horsepower for a total of 280 and increased torque to 286 foot-pounds Electronic throttle control and variable cam timing for enhanced engine performance, power and fuel economy An optional SelectShift Automatic® five-speed transmission that can be shifted like a manual transmission, but without a clutch All-speed traction control, now standard Available heated driver and passenger seat Newly styled analog instrument cluster Two-speed, variable-interval wipers with heated wiper park New exterior colors: Mountain Shadow Gray and Desert Sky Blue New Saddle-colored interior package includes Saddle-colored leather seating surfaces, saddle leather steering wheel insert and saddle leather shift knob New additional interior colors: Black Ink and Whisper White

The 2003 lineup also includes a Thunderbird 007 Limited Edition, similar to the one to be featured in Die Another Day, the new James Bond film opening Nov. 22. The car, which was created for the film, will feature a unique coral exterior color. It is driven by Academy AwardTM winner Halle Berry in her role as the villainess Jinx. The production model Thunderbird 007 Limited Edition comes with the unique coral exterior paint, distinctive black and white interior trim, and understated "007" badging. Each of the 700 to be sold next spring will have a numbered, commemorative plaque mounted in the glove box.

Powertrain

Variable cam timing (VCT) and electronic throttle control are significant improvements to Thunderbird's 3.9-liter, 32-valve DOHC V-8 aluminum engine. VCT improves engine performance, fuel economy and power. The 3.9-liter now delivers 280 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 286 foot-pounds of torque at 4,000 rpm.

Thunderbird's power is delivered more smoothly and efficiently by the electronic throttle control system. It measures a variety of factors such as vehicle and engine speed, transmission gear selection, degree and rate of pedal travel in order to deliver the acceleration intended by the driver. This system is far more precise and responsive than simple "pedal-follower" systems that mimic a mechanical throttle linkage or other systems that only modulate torque at the engine flywheel.

The 3.9-liter engine features coil-on-plug ignition, platinum-tipped spark plugs and lightweight, low-friction pistons. The dual exhausts are carefully tuned to achieve a throaty sound, resonant with Thunderbird magic and three-inch chrome exhaust tips. Also new for 2003 is an optional SelectShift Automatic® transmission, which allows drivers to change gears with a throw of the console-mounted shift lever, similar to a conventional manual transmission but without the clutch. The five-speed transmission has a quiet gear set to minimize first- and second-gear whine and a 3.58:1 final drive ratio for better performance feel.

The rear-wheel-drive Thunderbird comes standard with a power convertible top and is available with a removable top with classic porthole windows. Thunderbird is built at the Wixom Assembly Plant in Michigan.

Design

The Thunderbird's stance and 107.2-inch wheelbase were inspired by the close-coupled proportions of the 1955-57 classics. The distinctive, reverse-wedge body - highest at the front fender and A pillar - helps recapture the relaxed, laid-back character of the originals.

The 64-degree angle of the chromed A-pillar and header combines the look of strength and solidity of earlier models with an updated, precisely crafted appearance.

Their classic "egg-crate" grille with three-dimensional texture reappears on the new model, while the short front overhang maintains the original proportions as well. Above the grille on the fascia is a long-winged chrome Thunderbird and a hood scoop reflects design cues of the '61 Thunderbird.

At 6.9 cubic feet, Thunderbird's fully lined trunk is spacious enough for two sets of golf clubs. A soft vinyl boot is provided to cover the black, woven soft top when it's down. The tail lamps are reminiscent of the jet-plane treatment that so many Thunderbird fans were enamored of in the 1950s.

Two new Thunderbird exterior colors for 2003 are Mountain Shadow Gray and Desert Sky Blue. Torch Red, Evening Black and Whisper White are retained from 2002. The standard convertible top is Midnight Black. Removable tops are available to match exterior colors or can be mixed and matched to create a distinctive look.

Interior

Inside, Thunderbird provides an attractive, comfortable environment for its occupants. The instrument panel features bright accent colors and aluminum appliqués, and a center stack cascades down onto the console.

Thunderbird's door trim panels feature a black base panel with molded-in horizontal flutes. Seats are leather, perforated on the inserts with the familiar Thunderbird tuck-and-roll sew style.

The driver's seat has standard six-way power adjust and manual lumbar support. For 2003, heated seats are available. Behind the seats, a carpeted package shelf provides another 1.9 cubic feet of storage for a brief case, groceries or other items.

A new Saddle-colored leather package and Whisper White interior color are added for 2003. The Saddle package consists of Saddle-colored leather seating surfaces, saddle leather inserts in the top of the steering wheel and a saddle leather shift knob.

Driving Dynamics, Ride and Handling

Thunderbird delights drivers with smooth ride and handling characteristics that are as unique as its styling. Contributing elements include a fully independent suspension, a front-to-rear weight distribution of nearly 50-50, and a stiff, strong chassis and body structure.

Chassis engineers designed a cross-beam link just behind the Thunderbird's seats and three steel X-braces bolted to the front, middle and rear of the underbody in order to achieve the desired driving characteristics.

Thunderbird's ride comfort and crisp handling were attained when engineers combined large-diameter shock absorbers with spring rates lower than the average sport sedan's. The low-speed tuning shocks were also revised slightly in the rear for more precise handling on bumpy roads while maintaining Thunderbird's smooth, relaxed ride.

An improved power rack-and-pinion steering gear offers variable assist for low-speed parking maneuvers and to give drivers a high level of road feel at highway speeds. The stabilizer bars have flat sections designed to fit the bushings more closely for a quicker, more precise steering response.

Thunderbird comes equipped with power-assisted, four-wheel disc anti-lock brakes, with aluminum calipers and vented rotors on all four wheels. ABS wheel-speed sensors also are part of the all-speed traction control system, now standard for 2003.

When it senses wheel slippage, the system alerts the car's engine control module and initiates corrective actions: applying brake pressure to one or both drive wheels, retarding the ignition timing, reducing the fuel flow - or any combination of the three.

Comfortable Cruising

The Thunderbird was engineered to deliver sportiness without compromising comfort. Top-down turbulence is reduced by the steep angle of the Thunderbird's windshield and wind noise is further curtailed by embedding the radio antenna in the windshield. Top-up road noise was reduced by computer analyses of convertible acoustics, which prompted engineers to increase the density of the Thunderbird's convertible top liner and sealing and barrier material.

Additional isolation from wind noise results from the doors' drop-glass feature. When the Thunderbird door is opened, the side glass lowers just slightly. When the door is closed, the glass goes back up to fit snugly into the seal system.

Safety and Security

Thunderbird is equipped with driver and passenger second-generation air bags. In addition, the driver and passenger seats are equipped with standard side air bags, making Thunderbird the first Ford convertible to come equipped with combination head-and-chest side air bags.

Thunderbird also features the child-seat anchor system called LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children). The system provides two rigid lower anchors between the passenger seat back and bottom cushion and one tether anchor on the bottom of the seat. Other safety features include safety-belt pretensioners, Ford's BeltMinderTM system, and an emergency trunk release.

Standard security features include the SecuriLockTM passive anti-theft system, a perimeter alarm that detects attempted illegal entry through doors, hood or trunk lid, plus remote keyless entry and doors that lock automatically when the car is running and shifted out of park or neutral. The standard smart lock system helps keep a customer from locking keys in the car by rendering the power door locks inoperable if the driver's door is open while the key is in the ignition.