Ford Thunderbird (eleventh generation)

Ford Thunderbird
Overview
Manufacturer	Ford Motor Company
Model code	M205[1]
Production	June 2001 – July 2005
Model years	2002–2005
Assembly	United States: Wixom, Michigan (Wixom Assembly)
Designer	Jack Telnack (1997)
Body and chassis
Class	Personal luxury car
Body style	2-door convertible
Layout	Front-engine, rear-wheel drive
Platform	Ford DEW98
Powertrain
Engine	3.9 L Jaguar AJ35 V8
Transmission	5-speed Ford Bordeaux 5R44E automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	107.1 in (2,720 mm)[2]
Length	186.3 in (4,732 mm)[2]
Width	72 in (1,829 mm)[3]
Height	52.1 in (1,323 mm)[4]
Curb weight	3,775 lb (1,712 kg)[5]
Chronology
Predecessor	Ford Thunderbird (tenth generation)

The eleventh generation Ford Thunderbird is a front-V8, rear-drive, two passenger convertible with an optional removable-hardtop, manufactured and marketed for model years 2001-2005 by Ford Motor Company, having debuted at the 1999 North American International Auto Show. Noted for styling strongly recalling the first generation Thunderbird, developed under the design direction of Jack Telnack, the eleventh generation was manufactured in Wixom, Michigan, with production reaching just over 68,090 before its discontinuation in July 2005.

Series production of the Thunderbird commenced in June 2001 using the front-engine, rear-wheel-drive configuration of Ford's "DEW" platform and a unique variant of Jaguar's 3.9 L AJ35 V8 engine producing 188 kilowatts (252 hp), rated at a torque output of 362 newton-meters (267 lbf⋅ft) — updated for model year 2003 to 209 kilowatts (280 hp) and 388 newton-meters (286 lbf⋅ft). The eleventh generation received the Motor Trend Car of the Year award in 2002.