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the same designer that brought us the gorgeous Audi TT and the beguiling VW New
Beetle comes the regal, sexy and most American of roadsters, the new Ford Thunderbird.
Surely, this is what the T-Bird should have been all along, and it makes us all
but forget the rotund Thunderbird coupes of '80s and '90s that had us humming
"Bye Bye Birdie" with no remorse. So now that it's restored to its proper
glory, let's talk about just how sexy this boulevardiere is. One
look tells you that this ain't no ordinary Ford. Long lines, a low windshield,
simple body contours and very little by way of body "jewelry" all contribute
to a look that is compelling yet easy on the eyes. And it's no dainty flower,
either, with its overall length stretching into the realm of mid-size luxury sedans.
And from experience, we can tell you the attention this graceful convertible commands
is rivaled by few vehicles in the world. Speaking
of mid-size luxury sedans, this one shares more than its dimensions with one of
them in particular: the Lincoln LS. Ford borrowed a lot from Lincoln's celebrated
sport sedan (which shares its platform with Jaguar's curvy S-Type as well), including
many of its rear-wheel-drive underpinnings, suspension bits and best of all, its
burbly, 252-hp V-8 engine. Although the T-Bird is tuned to ride more softly than
the LS, its meaty tires help it stick to the road surprisingly well. Still, one
drive is all it'll take to show you that the big 'Bird is much more about top-down
cruising in a straight line; it's happy to leave apex-clipping to Porsche and
BMW. Inside,
the Thunderbird's dashboard is also lifted from the LS parts bin, but flanked
as it is by slabs of brushed metal and-if you so choose-contrasting interior leather
colors, nothing looks cheap or out of character. Its interior styling is nonetheless
somewhat less evocative of the past than its exterior, but all is forgivable given
its excellent ergonomics and overall luxurious feel. Perhaps
coolest of all, you can get a removable hard top, complete with a porthole window,
just like the '57.
Welcome back, you little hottie.
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