2002
Ford Thunderbird reviews and buying guide.
2002
Ford Thunderbird resources:
2002 Ford Thunderbird
review continued...
Designed
to evoke emotion
When
Ford decided to revive the Thunderbird nameplate, designers
went to work studying the original cars of the ‘50s,
which reflected the era's great optimism.
The
designers of the modern Thunderbird took great care
to borrow classic styling cues, but to never lose the
modern look. Among other details, the car’s two-seat
configuration, hood scoop, round headlamps, egg-crate
grille and porthole windows all pay homage to the past
with 21st century materials, technology and design language.
The
2002 Thunderbird is a production version of the Thunderbird
concept car that stole the spotlight at auto shows in
1999 and 2000.
Driving
is more than a great design
Although
the design evokes memories of a simpler time, it won’t
take 50 yards of driving in a new 2002 Thunderbird to
transport one back to the future. The new Thunderbird
uses the latest engineering technologies to instill
confidence in the driver.
It’s
a well-balanced, rear-wheel drive car that utilizes
a rigid, computer-engineered chassis and a fine-tuned
four-wheel independent suspension system employing lightweight
materials to reduce unsprung weight and improve response.
The
rack-and-pinion steering gear is a variable-assist design,
providing lower turning efforts at parking speeds and
higher-level road feel at highway speeds.
Thunderbird
comes standard with 17-inch cast aluminum wheels and
all-season tires.
Four-wheel
anti-lock disc brakes (ABS) are standard and employ
electronic brake force distribution (EBD). The brake
rotors are vented for optimal performance and endurance
and calipers are dual piston-type for quick response
and evenly distributed pressure.
An
optional all-speed traction control system helps ensure
driver confidence in adverse road conditions. The system
provides excellent start-up on slippery surfaces and
improves cornering stability.
Modern
Powerplant
As
pushrods have gone the way of the poodle skirt, all
2002 Thunderbirds will be equipped with a smooth-operating,
all-aluminum 3.9-liter DOHC V-8. The engine produces
an estimated 252 horsepower at 6,100 rpm and peak torque
of 267 ft. lbs. at 4,300 rpm and uses a new generation
powertrain electronic controller (PTEC).
The
engine was designed along with a specially engineered
close-ratio, five-speed automatic transmission that
provides performance and efficiency along with minimal
levels of noise, vibration and harshness (NVH).
They
don’t build them like they used to
Thunderbird
is the first Ford Motor Company North American Car program
born of the system called C3P – computer-aided design,
computer-aided engineering, computer-aided manufacturing
and product information management. C3P improves quality
of the Thunderbird from the get-go by providing more
accurate, timely computer images of car and components
before manufacturing. C3P also is a cost- and time-saving
process that reduces vehicle development time and the
number of costly prototype vehicles needed for testing.
Ford’s
supplier-partners also played a key role in the Thunderbird
development, perhaps more than in any other vehicle
program.
Hot
ticket items
As
with baby dolls, bean-bag pets and video game crazes
of many Christmas shopping seasons past, demand is expected
to outstrip initial supply of 2002 Ford Thunderbirds.
In
September 2000, the upscale retailer Neiman Marcus made
200 special edition 2002 Thunderbirds available for
early orders in its annual Christmas Book, a catalog
of exclusive gifts. The black and silver cars were priced
at a MSRP of $41,995 and sold out in a record time of
2 hours and 15 minutes.
In
all, Ford will build approximately 25,000 Thunderbirds
each year at its Wixom Assembly Plant in Michigan.
From
babies to boomers
Thunderbird
customers, defined more by an attitude than an age and
income level, are people ready to enjoy their rewards
after the workday ends. Being seen in a Thunderbird
is one of those rewards. The look, the feeling of freedom
and the individuality of the vehicle also fit these
customers’ makeup.
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