| Manufacturer | Ford Australia |
|---|---|
| Also called | Ford EF Fairmont |
| Production | August 1994 - October 1996 [1] |
| Predecessor | Ford ED Falcon |
| Successor | Ford EL Falcon |
| Body style | 4-door sedan [1] 5-door station wagon [1] |
| Layout | FR layout |
| Engine | 4.0L 6-cyl [1] 5.0L V8 [1] |
| Transmission | 5-speed manual [1] 4-speed automatic [1] |
| Wheelbase | 2791 mm [1] |
| Length | 4906 mm [1] |
| Width | 1861 mm [1] |
| Height | 1453 mm [1] |
| Curb weight | 1536 kg [1] |
| Related | Ford NF Fairlane Ford DF LTD |
The Ford EF Falcon is a full-size car that was manufactured by the Ford Motor Company of Australia between 1994 and 1996. A total of 192,100 EF models were produced [1] prior to replacement of the EF by the Ford EL Falcon in 1996.
Contents |
The Ford EF Falcon was introduced in August 1994.[1] It was a significant facelift of the Ford ED Falcon,[2] which it replaced. All exterior panels other than the doors were new for the EF, while Fairmont and Fairmont Ghia now had unique frontal styling differentiating them from the Falcon models.[2] An upgraded EF Series II range was introduced in October 1995.[1]
The EF range started with the GLI and Futura. GLI models were available in sedan and wagon, appealing most to fleet buyers and family buyers. GLI models offered 15-inch wheels, body-coloured front and rear bumpers except insert mouldings, drivers airbag as standard, and the 5-speed manual was standard with 4.0-litre SOHC (single over head cam) inline 6-cylinder, while a 5.0-litre V8 and 4-speed automatic was optional.[3]
The Futura shared the overall styling of the GLI and had the same engine and transmission options. While the Futura benefited from exterior differences such as body-coloured mirrors, bumpers and different wheel covers. The Futura was feature-rich, having front power windows, cruise control, ABS, rear headrests, interior map pockets standard, map lights, 6-speaker audio system (six-stacker optional), a digital clock, variable intermittent wipers, fold-out rear-seat armrest and interior grab handles.[4]
All of the base models offered an optional Tickford body kit, boot mounted spoiler with integrated stop light, a choice of 15- or 16-inch alloy wheels, six-stacker CD player (except GLI), disabled drivers pack and airbag compatible 'Smart Bar' bull-bar.[4]
The sport range comprised the XR6, which was available in both sedan and wagon, and the XR8, which was only available in a sedan. Both XR6 and XR8 had bold exterior styling similar to previous XR Falcons, featuring gun-barrel headlights and red or black bumper strips (depending on the body colour) and unique 15-inch alloy wheels.
All XR models had the features of the Futura plus their own features, including Tickford reprogrammed gear changes for the electronically controlled four-speed auto, Tickford developed sports suspension, rear spoiler with built-in brake light standard on both wagons and sedans (rear-window-mounted stop light still present but disabled), limited slip differential standard, adjustable see-through sports front and rear headrests, 'Sports' front bucket seats with side bolsters, oil pressure and battery voltage gauges, 'Charcoal' leather-wrapped steering wheel, low oil pressure and washer fluid low warning lights, dual horn note.
The XR6 had the same 4.0-litre SOHC (single over head cam) inline 6-cylinder as the base models but with Tickford alloy cylinder heads and unique ECC programming to make the most of the changes made to the engine. The XR6 delivers 164 kW @ 5000 rpm up from 161 kW in the ED Falcon. The XR8 has a 5.0-litre OHV (over head valve) V8 delivering 170 kW @ 4500 rpm up from the 165 kW in the ED Falcon. LPG was not offered as a factory option on the XR6 and XR8 models.
Transmissions available were a 5-speed manual as standard and a 4-speed auto which is electronically controlled and tuned by Tickford.
Luxury models in the EF Falcon range were not marketed as falcons but were just called Ford Fairmont and Ford Fairmont Ghia.[6] The Fairmont was based on the Futura and had all the features of the Futura but added a trip computer, air conditioning as standard, adjustable steering wheel, Remote Boot Release, Remote Keyless Entry, central locking and 15" alloy wheels. The Fairmont Ghia added a 9-speaker audio system, boot mounted 6 CD stacker, subwoofer and Ghia badging. both the Fairmont and Fairmont Ghia models had chrome accents, differently designed headlights, bonnets and were the only in the EF Falcon range to have a grille. 4-speed automatic transmission was standard across the fairmont lineup and had the option of the 4.0-litre SOHC (single over head cam) inline 6-cylinder or a 5.0-litre OHV (over head valve) V8. [7]
When the Series II EF Falcon was released two special editions were made available. A Classic option pack was offered on GLi and Futura sedans and wagons from November 1995 to March 1996 and an Olympic Classic pack was offered on the same models from May 1996 to August 1996.[1]
The Series II was introduced in 1995 adding over 1000 new features and eliminated the XR6 wagon from the range. A new front suspension was introduced due to criticism that it was to "nervous" when handling, another major improvement was the standardisation of a passenger airbag (except the GLI but it was a no cost option). Series II EF falcons are identifiable by body coloured "B" pillars which were black on the Series I.[8]
The EF range was offered in six 4-door sedan and four 5-door wagon models, marketed as follows.