V-6 for T-Bird; More DEW Models On Way
WARD'S AUTO WORLD STAFF Ward's AutoWorld, Aug 1, 2000 12:00 PM

Ford Motor Co. is eyeing a V-6 engine for the all-new Thunderbird, due in the first quarter of 2001, and has told suppliers to plan for up to 40,000 T-Birds annually, up from earlier estimates of 25,000 units.

The V-6 would be offered in addition to the V-8 Ford originally planned. Two years after launch, the T-Bird also is expected to adopt the Jaguar-developed, XJR supercharged V-8.

T-Bird will be the third vehicle to be built off Ford's DEW98 platform, the underbody currently used for the Jaguar S-Type and the Lincoln LS. But Ford also plans to build an additional, bigger, Lincoln luxury car off the rear-drive platform to take on the Cadillac Seville. And work also has begun on a platform variant known internally as DEW98 Lite.

DEW98 Lite ditches the expensive double wishbone front suspension in favor of simple MacPherson struts - reducing costs for a future Mustang and Australian Falcon - desperately in need of a contemporary engineering base.

The new Mustang, due in 2003, the same year as the new Falcon, will be built at AutoAl-liance International Inc.'s Flat Rock, MI, plant, jointly owned with Mazda Motor Corp.

Is there a chance Ford could re-body the Lite platform to create a new Ford Scorpio for Europe? That theory recently was put to Ford President and Chief Executive Jac Nasser.

"No," snaps Mr. Nasser, pausing to let his answer sink in. "Is that unequivocal enough for you?"