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Ford Thunderbird Super Birds 3.8i V6 Super (234 Hp)
Overall Rating
Ford Thunderbird:
The Ford Thunderbird is a personal luxury car manufactured and marketed by Ford Motor Company for model years 1955 to 2005, with a hiatus from 1998 to 2001.
Ultimately gaining a broadly used colloquial nickname, the T-Bird, the model was introduced as a two-seat convertible, subsequently offered variously in a host of body styles including as a four-seat hardtop coupe, four-seat convertible, five-seat convertible and hardtop, four-door pillared hardtop sedan, six-passenger hardtop coupe, and five-passenger pillared coupe, before returning in its final generation, again as a two-seat convertible....(Read more on Wikipedia)
Super Birds Overview:
Ford Thunderbird (Super Birds). With 447 Nm of torque, it offers ample pulling power. With a weight of 1704 kg, it falls in the mid‑range. Rear‑wheel drive offers dynamic handling and sporty feedback. A two-door car with a fixed roof, known for its sporty design and dynamic performance. Seating for 5 makes it ideal for daily use.
3.8i V6 Super (234 Hp) Verdict:
Performance Verdict
This supercharged V6 offers impressive power and torque for its era, delivering strong acceleration and a distinctly sporty feel, making it the performance flagship of the lineup.
Fuel Economy
While offering exhilarating performance, the supercharged V6 is not designed for fuel efficiency, expecting moderate to high fuel consumption typical of a performance-oriented engine.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- • Distinctive American styling and road presence
- • Comfortable and spacious interior, ideal for cruising
- • Availability of powerful Supercharged V6 and V8 engines
- • Smooth ride quality, especially on highways
- • Good value on the used car market
Cons:
- • Fuel economy can be poor, especially with V8 and Supercharged V6
- • Handling can feel soft and less precise on non-SC models
- • Interior materials and build quality are typical of its era, not premium
- • Age-related maintenance and parts availability can be a concern
- • Rear visibility can be limited due to coupe design
Specifications:
Specifications are compared to those of the previous generation(Aero Birds: 1983 - 1988).
| General: | |
|---|---|
| Brand: | Ford |
| Model: | Thunderbird |
| Generation: | Super Birds |
| Modification (Engine): | 3.8i V6 Super (234 Hp) |
| Start of production: | 1988 |
| End of production: | 1997 |
| Powertrain Architecture: | Internal Combustion engine |
| Body type: | Coupe |
| Seats: | 5 |
| Doors: | 2 |
| Engine: | |
|---|---|
| Power: | 234 Hp @ 4400 rpm. |
| Power per litre: | 61.6 Hp/l [worst than previous generation] |
| Torque: | 447 Nm @ 2500 rpm. |
| Engine displacement: | 3797 |
| Number of cylinders: | 6 |
| Engine configuration: | V-engine |
| Number of valves per cylinder: | 2 |
| Fuel injection system: | Multi-port manifold injection |
| Engine aspiration: | Supercharger |
| Engine layout: | Front, Longitudinal |
| Cylinder Bore: | 96.8 mm mm |
| Piston Stroke: | 86 mm mm |
| Compression ratio: | 8.5:1 |
| Performance: | |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type: | Petrol (Gasoline) |
| Weight-to-power ratio: | 7.3 kg/Hp, 137.3 Hp/tonne |
| Weight-to-torque ratio: | 3.8 kg/Nm, 262.3 Nm/tonne |
| Space: | |
|---|---|
| Kerb Weight: | 1704 |
| Fuel tank capacity: | 72 l |
| Size: | |
|---|---|
| Length: | 5088 mm mm [45mm less] |
| Width: | 1847 mm mm [41mm more] |
| Height: | 1333 mm mm [23mm less] |
| Wheelbase: | 2870 mm mm [223mm more] |
| Front track: | 1565 mm |
| Rear (Back) track: | 1530 mm |
| Powertrain: | |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain Architecture | The Internal combustion engine (ICE) drives the rear wheels of the vehicle. |
| Drive wheel | Rear wheel drive |
| Number of gears | 5 |
| Transmission type | Manual |
| Front brakes | Ventilated discs [Best for performance and cooling.] |
| Rear brakes | Ventilated discs [Best for performance and cooling.] |
| Assisting systems | ABS (Anti-lock braking system) |
| Power steering | Hydraulic Steering |
| Tires size | 225/60 R16V |
| Front suspension | Spring Strut |
| Rear suspension | Coil spring |
Fuel, speed, and comfort: How does the Ford Thunderbird rank in your book?