With 210 horsepower and 315 pound-feet of torque, the Super Coupe was a wolf in sheep’s clothing. As a result, engineers developed a supercharged 3.8-liter V6 engine intended to be as smooth as it was fast. Ford Thunderbird | Fordįord had to be sure that it wouldn’t make the same mistake with its range-topping Super Coupe in 1989.
While it was certainly a respectable performer that delivered excellent fuel economy, it can be argued that it hampered the model’s premium feel. Sure, the boosted 2.3-liter engine in the outgoing Turbo Coupe could pack a hefty punch with its 240 pound-feet of torque.īut in the ’80s, four-cylinder engines were far less refined than they are now and the Thunderbird was no exception. Turbo lag was still prevalent, and the four-cylinder buzz wasn’t exactly music to drivers’ ears. Its advanced chassis was a step in the right direction, but the engine would have to be equally as impressive if Ford had any hope of competing against its European rivals. With an independent rear suspension, Tokico adjustable shock absorbers, and four-wheel disc brakes straight from the showroom floor, the Super Coupe was a pioneer in terms of handling and technology. The change was made largely so the Thunderbird could compete against more sophisticated, higher-priced luxury models from overseas.
As a result, the 11-year-old Fox chassis was scrapped, and the 1989 Thunderbird debuted on Ford’s new MN12 platform. The previous generation’s light Fox body chassis, shared with the Mustang, was great for performance, but not exactly the platform of choice for the superior handling and ride quality expected of Ford’s iconic personal luxury coupe. Lavish luxury and underrated performance had always been the Thunderbird’s calling card - especially in its highest trim level. Prior to its unveiling, expectations had never been higher and the pressure was mounting for Ford to deliver something special. After the Thunderbird Turbo Coupe was named the Motor Trend Car of the Year in 1987, Ford had its work cut out for them with the Super Coupe set to debut in ’89.
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