Falcon Facts: NF Fairlane / DF LTD

As with the EF Falcon, Ford’s Fairlane and LTD were given a brand new look, and now the luxury cars once again resembled their Falcon equivalent. Styling was softer and rounder than ever before, and the new nose, shortened 12cm, was almost identical to the EF Fairmont. Both cars shared the same body, with small trim details distinguishing between models. New grilles featured shiny chrome surrounds - Fairlane’s grille had the Ford badge at the top, while LTD’s vertical grille housed the Ford badge in the centre. Oval cornering lamps in the sculpted bumper lit up the kerb when the indicators were activated. At the rear, the even longer boot sported new wide jewel-style tail lights, there were twin tailpipes, and for the LTD, a rear applique similar to the Fairmont sedan.
Lashings of chrome and woodgrain decorated the fresh new interior, which was trimmed in velour in the Fairlane and leather in the LTD. Finally after much criticism there was a floor-mounted park brake, and a standard driver’s airbag. Analogue instruments made a welcome return, there were two cup holders, and the seats were redesigned for extra support and lateral location.
The standard engine was the 4.0L six which received a major overhaul with the EF Falcon. It made the car smoother and more powerful, and the EEC V management system provided more accurate control of a variety of engine functions. Fairlane now used less fuel and was more refined. The 5.0L V8 was standard on the LTD, and both cars could be ordered with the other’s engine.
Ride comfort and road handling were improved by changes to the suspension and steering, making the car much more precise to drive. Braking performance changes meant the Fairlane/LTD had better pedal feel, by using thicker front brakes and larger diameter rear brakes. New Tickford options were available with lower, firmer, sharper suspension, bigger Michelin tyres and 16 inch alloy wheels. These additions transformed the Fairlane, the trade off being that the sharper ride and handling replaced the traditional floaty feel of a standard Fairlane.
Amongst several safety changes were seat belt webbing clamps, which prevented the belt paying out too much in a crash. A standard passenger airbag complemented the driver airbag with the Series II upgrade.

Ford NF Fairlane / DF LTD

On Sale: March 1995 - October 1996 (Series II: October 1995)

How do I know it's an NF? Rounder EF Falcon-style body. Chrome surround grille with seven horizontal bars and Ford badge above, bonnet ornament, Ghia badges, spiral-look alloy wheels.
How do I know it's a DF? Chrome surround LTD grille with Ford badge in centre, bonnet ornament, chrome finish alloy wheels, rear boot applique, C-pillar window louvres, leather trim.
Series II cars: Front passenger airbag replacing wooden strip above glovebox.

Models available:

Fairlane Ghia:
LTD:

sedan
sedan

Option packs/prototypes/limited editions:

Fairlane Ghia Sportsman:

(Limited Edition) 16 inch alloy wheels, 215 x 55 Michelin tyres, Sportsman decals on sides and tail, sliding electric sunroof, upgraded sound system - nine speaker, 6 stack CD, 250 watt subwoofer. $6000 of equipment with $2300 increase in price. July - September 1996.

What’s new? New softer body, new interior, analogue instruments

Firsts: Standard driver's airbag, floor-mounted park brake, passenger airbag (Series II)

Prices at introduction: Fairlane Ghia - $45339, Fairlane Ghia V8 - $48291, LTD - $57738

Total NFs built: 8059, DFs: 1252

Transmission: 4 speed automatic

Engines:
4.0L 6 cyl
Bore and stroke: 92 x 99 mm
Power: 157kW at 4900rpm
Torque: 357Nm at 3000rpm
Overhead camshaft, 2 valves per cylinder
Fuel system: EEC V fuel injection
Compression ratio: 9.3:1

5.0L V8
Bore and stroke: 102 x 76 mm
Power: 165kW at 4500rpm
Torque: 388Nm at 3000rpm
Pushrod overhead valve, 2 valves per cylinder
Fuel system: EEC V fuel injection
Compression ratio: 9.0:1

Fuel consumption: 12.5L/100km (Fairlane Ghia 4.0L, Wheels magazine)

Performance:
(Fairlane Ghia 4L, 4 speed auto):
Top speeds in gears
1st: 83km/h
2nd: 137km/h
3rd: 199km/h
4th: 215km/h
0-100km/h: 9.3 seconds
Standing 400m: 16.5 seconds

Suspension:
Front
Short and long arm, long spindle with single rate coil springs, twin tube telescopic shock absorbers mounted coaxially within the coil spring, stabiliser bar. Optional Tickford suspension

Rear
Sedan - Live axle, four trailing arms with Watts linkage, twin tube telescopic shock absorbers, single rate coil springs and stabiliser bar, automatic self-levelling rear suspension. Optional Tickford suspension

Brakes:
Front
Power assisted 287mm ventilated discs, anti lock brakes

Rear
Power assisted 287mm discs, anti lock brakes

Steering: Power assisted rack and pinion

Wheels: Fairlane Ghia - 15 x 6.5 inch JJ alloys with centre cap, LTD - 15 x 6.5 inch chrome finish alloy with centre cap and LTD logo, optional on all models - 16 x 7 inch five spoke alloy

Tyres: P205/65 HR15 steel belt radial ply, optional Michelin XGTV Pilot SX 225/50 R16

Dimensions:

Length:
Width:
Height:
Wheelbase:
Front track:
Rear track:
Kerb weight:
Turning circle:
Fuel tank:
Boot space:

Fairlane/LTD
5122mm
1861mm
1428mm
2919mm
1566mm
1547mm
1642/1686kg
11.3m
68 litres
492 litres

Interior dimensions:

Front headroom:
Rear headroom:
Front shoulder room:
Rear shoulder room:
Front hip room:
Rear hip room:
Front legroom:
Rear legroom:

Fairlane/LTD
974mm
985mm
1514mm
1503mm
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-
1081mm
1084mm

Features (at introduction): Legend

Automatic
Air conditioning
Power steering
Power windows
Power mirrors
Immobiliser
Central locking
Radio cassette
(speakers)
CD player
Steering adj.
Seat height adj
Seats
Speedometer
Tachometer
Trip computer
Cruise control
Driver Airbag
ABS brakes
Alloy wheels
Cup holders

Fairlane Ghia
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velour
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LTD
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power
leather
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chrome
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Awards: 1995 Australian Design Award

Fairlane Rivals: Holden VR/VS Statesman
LTD Rivals: Holden VR/VS Caprice

NF Fairlane / DF LTD Links (new window)

Falcon Facts: EF Falcon
Falcon Facts: NC Fairlane / DC LTD
Falcon Facts: NL Fairlane / DL LTD

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