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Ford Falcon Facts
Ford’s next evolution of the EA Falcon was so different, it could almost be regarded as a totally new model. On the outside, the doors were the only parts carried over.
The EF’s styling was softer and rounder and this made the car appear smaller than it actually was.
EF Falcon(1994 - 1996)
GLi and Futura models no longer had a grille between the head lights - only the blue oval badge. However, Fairmont and Fairmont Ghia featured slightly different headlights, a fake grille and the Fairlane/LTD bonnet. The XR models kept their trademark quad-headlight design. Every model had body coloured door handles, while alloy wheels and a Tickford body kit were optional.
At the rear, all sedans had semi-circle shaped tail lights with clear indicators. Fairmont models featured a chrome “appliqué” above the number plate. The rear end of the Falcon wagon was carried over from the ED.
An all new interior resulted in a light, airy feeling. Cup holders were standard on every model and for the first time, the Falcon’s awkward umbrella handbrake became history, replaced by a conventional floor-mounted design. The very first cars had fuel filler and boot release buttons which were often accidentally pressed when inserting the ignition key. These buttons were recessed a short time later.
Ford paid a lot of attention to safety, most evident by the standard driver’s airbag on all models, a first for an Australian car. Anti-submarining pans were installed to prevent front passengers from slipping out under the seat belt, and the body was reinforced for extra rollover strength and front impact protection. Ford developed the Smart Bar, a bull bar specially designed to work with the driver’s airbag. This innovation was a world first.
Falcon’s big six now had an improved management computer - the EEC V. This worked in conjunction with Computer Torque Control (CTC), which noticeably boosted power and torque to 157kW at 4900rpm and 357Nm at 3000rpm. New internals were added as well as a dual intake system and hydraulic engine mounts. All of these changes resulted in a drop in fuel consumption and extra refinement.
There were a few problems with the EF’s handling. The car’s rear end was twitchy and nervous and when driven into a corner, the rear end wouldn’t follow with the same precision.
EF Falcon Photos (photos are cropped, click to enlarge)
           
Ford EF Falcon
On Sale: August 1994 - October 1996 (Series II: October 1995)
How do I know it's an EF? Evolution of EA design. Slimline headlights, body-coloured door handles, semi-circle taillights, curvy mirrors. GLi and Futura: No grille, body-coloured mirrors & bumper strips (Futura). XR6, XR8: Based on Futura, with quad-headlight design, alloy wheels, body kit. Fairmont, Fairmont Ghia: Fake grille, rear chrome applique, alloy wheels, chrome highlights.
Models available:
Falcon GLi:
Falcon Futura:
Falcon XR6:
Falcon XR8:
Fairmont:
Fairmont Ghia:		 sedan, wagon
sedan, wagon
sedan, wagon
sedan
sedan, wagon
sedan
Option packs/prototypes/limited editions:
Falcon Classic:


Falcon Olympic Classic:

AJ8:

 (Limited Edition) GLi or Futura sedan or wagon with $3000 of extra value: standard air conditioning, alloy wheels and Classic decals. November 1995 - March 1996

(Limited Edition) GLi or Futura sedan or wagon with standard air conditioning, alloy wheels and Olympic Classic decals. May 1996 - August 1996
(Aftermarket) Falcons with individual Alan Jones touches. Body kit, 17 inch alloys, lowered, re-worked suspension with Bilstein shock absorbers. 1996
What’s new? Fresh new styling, new interior, EEC-V engine management, safety improvements

Falcon Firsts: Standard driver's airbag on an Australian car, world-first airbag-compatible Smart Bar, floor-mounted park brake, two person passenger airbag (Series II)

Prices at introduction: Falcon GLi sedan - $27035, Falcon XR6 wagon - $37189, Fairmont sedan - $35516
Total EFs built: 192100
Transmission: 5 speed manual, 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
4.0L 6 cyl (XR6)
Bore and stroke: 93 x 99 mm
Power: 164kW at 5000rpm
Torque: 366Nm at 3000rpm
Overhead camshaft, 2 valves per cylinder
Fuel system: EEC V fuel injection
Compression ratio: 9.3:1		 5.0L V8 (XR8)
Bore and stroke: 102 x 76 mm
Power: 170kW at 4500rpm
Torque: 398Nm at 3000rpm
Pushrod overhead valve, 2 valves per cylinder
Fuel system: EEC V fuel injection
Compression ratio: 9.0:1
4.0L 6 cyl (Fairmont Ghia Series II)
Bore and stroke: 93 x 99 mm
Power: 162kW at 4900rpm
Torque: 361Nm at 3000rpm
Overhead camshaft, 2 valves per cylinder
Fuel system: EEC V fuel injection
Compression ratio: 9.3:1
Fuel consumption: AS2877 City/Highway per 100km: 12.5L/7.6L (Fairmont 4L sedan)
Performance:
(Falcon GLi sedan, 4 speed auto):
Top speeds in gears
1st: 88km/h
2nd: 145km/h
3rd: 180km/h (speed limited)
4th: 180km/h (speed limited)
0-100km/h: 8.7 seconds
Standing 400m: 16.2 seconds
(Falcon XR6, 5 speed manual):
Top speeds in gears
1st: 57km/h
2nd: 94km/h
3rd: 144km/h
4th: 186km/h
5th: 225km/h
0-100km/h: 8.1 seconds
Standing 400m: 15.6 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. Heavy duty suspension - heavy duty springs and heavy duty shock absorbers. XR6, XR8 - 66N/mm springs, 30mm diameter Monroe gas shock absorbers, 2 piece progressive rate rubber tension/tie bar bushes with metal collar, lower control arm inner bushes with unique durometer rubber to give consistent tyre/patch road contact.
Rear
Sedan - Live axle, four trailing arms with Watts linkage, twin tube telescopic shock absorbers, single rate coil springs and stabiliser bar; Wagon - Live axle with leaf springs, twin tube telescopic shock absorbers, increased ride height; XR6, XR8 - 30mm diameter Monroe gas shock absorbers, upper longitudinal links differently angled design with higher front pivots, stabiliser bar, urethane/rubber drop link bushes replace rubber
Brakes:
Front
Power assisted 287mm ventilated discs, anti-lock braking standard (GLi optional)
Rear
Power assisted 299mm discs, anti-lock braking standard (GLi optional)
Steering: Power assisted rack and pinion
Wheels:
Falcon GLi, Futura - 15 x 6 inch steel, 15 inch alloy optional
Falcon XR6, XR8 - 15 x 7 inch double spoke alloy
Fairmont - 15 x 6.5 inch 19 spoke alloy
Fairmont Ghia - 15 x 6.5 inch 9 spoke alloy
Optional on all models - 16 x 7 inch alloy
Tyres:
Falcon GLi, Futura, Fairmont & Fairmont Ghia - P205/65 HR15 steel belt radial ply, Falcon XR6, XR8 - Michelin MXV P205/65 HR15 steel belt radial ply. Optional on all models - Michelin XGTV Pilot SX 225/50 R16
Dimensions:

Length:
Width:
Height:
Wheelbase:
Front track:
Rear track:
Kerb weight:
Turning circle:
Fuel tank:
Boot space:		 Sedan
4906mm
1861mm
1453mm
2791mm
1566mm
1547mm
1536kg
10.9m
68 litres
465 litres		 Wagon
5042mm
1856mm
1529mm
2923mm
1566mm
1547mm
1600kg
11.3m
72 litres
1473 litres
Interior dimensions:

Front headroom:
Rear headroom:
Front shoulder room:
Rear shoulder room:
Front hip room:
Rear hip room:
Front legroom:
Rear legroom:		 Sedan
974mm
974mm
1518mm
1512mm
1495mm
1245mm
1081mm
992mm		 Wagon
983mm
1039mm
1518mm
1517mm
1495mm
1245mm
1081mm
992mm
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
Cruise control
Driver Airbag
ABS brakes
Alloy wheels
Cup holders		 Falcon GLi
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X
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cloth
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•		 Falcon Futura
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front
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cloth
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•		 Falcon XR6
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front
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opt
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cloth
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•		 Falcon XR8
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front
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cloth
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•		 Fairmont
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opt
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velour
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•		 Fairmont Ghia
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leather/velour
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Awards: 1994 Australian Design Award, Best Car 1994/1995 - Motor Magazine
Rivals: Holden VR/VS Commodore, Mitsubishi TS/TE Magna, Toyota Lexcen, Toyota Vienta
 
EF Falcon Links (new window)  Related pages
Falcon/Fairlane/LTD: EF Falcon Central
EF Falcon.com
EF/EL Falcon Club
Polar988 Automotive
The Ford Falcon Modifications Website
Drive.com.au review: EF Falcon XR6
Drive.com.au review: EF Falcon XR6
Drive.com.au review: EF Falcon XR6 wagon
Drive.com.au review: EF/EL Fairmont Ghia
RACV review: EF/EL Falcon
NRMA Car reviews
Carsurvey: Falcon reviews
Carsurvey: Fairmont reviews		 Falcon Facts: John's EF Falcon GLi
Falcon Facts: XH Falcon Ute/Van
Falcon Facts: NF Fairlane / DF LTD
Falcon Facts: ED Falcon
Falcon Facts: EL Falcon
 

Where to now?     Back to Falcon main     On to EL Falcon»
  On to XH Falcon (Ute/Van)»
 
This trait was unsettling and it undermined driver confidence, however the problem wasn’t as bad when the EF was driven within its limits. Not all EF Falcons were affected to the same extent.
October 1995 saw the EF Series II facelift. The big news was the new passenger airbag. It was a special design because it protected not only the front passenger, but also the middle passenger (sitting in a GLi with the optional bench seat). The passenger airbag was a $510 option, standard on Fairmont Ghia. The Fairmont Ghia benefited the most from this upgrade, and it was now aimed at the executive who loves to drive. It featured the XR6 engine, lowered suspension and uprated front springs, leather trim and extra chrome - in and out.
The rest of the range featured a retuned suspension, different front seat padding to lower the ride height and 25mm extra rearward seat movement.
Wind and road noise were isolated from the cabin by using neoprene rubber-based blockers. The XR6 wagon was dropped.

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