Performance Review: Ford Thunderbird 4.9 V8 - [1991]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Ford Thunderbird Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Ford Thunderbird 4.9 V8 is the 4 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 1991. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 1991 Jaguar XJ R-15 6.0 V12 and the 1992 Bugatti EB110 SuperSport.This particular Ford Thunderbird has a 4942cc Naturally Aspirated Petrol powerplant with 8 cylinders in a V formation.

Alternative Petrol V8's includes the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170

The Thunderbird shares its Petrol V8 engine configuration with the likes of the 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon 170 and the 2023 Ferrari SF 90 XX Spider 4.0 V8 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Thunderbird's Rear Wheel Drive, Coupe combination then how about the 1982 Fiat X1/9 1.5 8V or the 1965 Aston-Martin DB6 1965.

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 1693 kgs (3732 lbs) this makes the Ford Thunderbird 4.9 V8 in the same weight category as the 2023 Aston-Martin Valour 5.2 V12 Twin Turbo or the give or take 50kg.

The Ford Thunderbird shares the same bhp with the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp)

In terms of power the 4942cc 16V V8 engine produces 200 bhp (149 kW) @ 4000 rpm similar to the 2020 Audi A1 Sportback 40 TFSI S tronic S line (197 bhp) or the 2020 Audi TT S Turbo 50 TFSI (225 bhp).

The Naturally Aspirated V8 throws out 275 lb-ft (372.8 Nm) @ 3000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Morizo Edition 1.6 Turbo (295 lb-ft) or the 2023 Toyota Corolla GR Circuit Edition 1.6 Turbo (273 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Ford Thunderbird you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 1986 Aston-Martin Lagonda Series 3 5.3L V8 (143.1 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Ford Thunderbird.

The Ford Thunderbird has a Power to weight ratio of 118.1 bhp per ton and 162.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 1991 Thunderbird competing with the 1986 Aston-Martin Lagonda Series 3 5.3L V8 (143.1 bhp per ton) or the 1988 Volkswagen-VW Jetta GTi 1.8 16v (143.1 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Ford Thunderbird generating around 162.4 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2015 Seat Ibiza Cupra 1.8 Turbo (187.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 2005 Lotus Exige 240 R (187.0 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 9.00 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 9.3 secs, this made the Ford Thunderbird 4.9 V8 as fast as the 2012 Mini Cooper SD Paceman (9.00 secs) the 2007 Ford Taurus AWD 3.5 V6 (9.00 secs) the 2004 Vauxhall-Opel Corsa 1.8 GSi (9.00 secs) the or the 2002 Land-Rover Range Rover V8 Vogue (9.00 secs). This Ford Thunderbird 4.9 V8 is also faster than the 2013 Skoda Rapid 1.4 tsi Spaceback (9.10 secs) the 1999 Citroen Saxo 1.6i VTR (9.10 secs) the 1990 Mazda MX5 1.6 (9.10 secs) the and the 1983 Vauxhall-Opel Nova 1.6i GTE (9.10 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Thunderbird and the 1996 Porsche Boxster 2.5 Roadster

When talking about the performance of the Ford Thunderbird on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 16.82 secs @ 81.3 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 1996 Porsche Boxster 2.5 Roadster (16.75 secs), the 1973 Ford Mustang Mach 1 351 (16.75 secs), and the 2020 Maserati Ghibli GranSport Petrol Hybrid (16.76 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 1991 version of the Ford Thunderbird 4.9 V8 has a maximum speed of 145mph.

Top Speed of the 1991 Thunderbird equals the 2007 Lotus 2-Eleven 1.8 Supercharged (156 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 1991 Ford Thunderbird 4.9 V8 then how about the 2007 Lotus 2-Eleven 1.8 Supercharged (156 mph), the 2003 Ford Mustang Mach 1 (156 mph), or the 1999 Nissan Skyline R34 GTR (156 mph).

Related Links:

1991 Thunderbird Rivals List.

A Brief History of Ford

Car Comparison