The bold looking front featured a grille which sat between the headlights. The Ford badge in the grille was moved to the side, and the parking and indicator lights were wrap around. For the first time, the tail lights were square shaped. Also new was a fashionable recessed rear windscreen.
Ford boasted 1966 changes to the XW, and the interior wasn’t forgotten. A striking new square dash kept the traditional instruments and added rubberised controls. Safety wise, the dash crash padding was thicker, and the new interior was described as resembling the cockpit of a jet airliner.
Slight increases in power were developed. The 3.1L went from 114 to 118bhp, the 3.6L went from 135 to 140bhp, and the 302 V8 went from 210 to 220bhp. The three speed column shift manual remained, however 3.6 buyers could now have a floor shift four speed manual.
The Futura model was brought back to life. And the GS (Grand Sport) options package was introduced. It was like a build-it-yourself GT and was offered on everyday Falcons. The GS pack comprised of orange rally stripes, chrome wheel covers, and GT wood-grained steering wheel and full instrumentation.

XW Falcon Photos (photos are cropped, click to enlarge)

Ford XW Falcon
On Sale: June 1969 - October 1970
How do I know it's an XW? Grille sits between headlights, with badge to the right, wraparound indicator/tail lights, square tail lights with three rows
Models available: Falcon: Falcon 500: Futura: Fairmont: sedan, wagon, ute, van sedan, wagon, ute sedan sedan, wagon
Option packs/prototypes/limited editions: Super Roo: GS Pack: (Limited Edition) Limited production Super Roo ute for dealer promotion (Option Pack) GT-style rally stripes, chrome wheel covers, GT 3-spoke wood grained steering wheel with rim-squeeze horn, full instrumentation. Available on Falcon 500, Futura or Fairmont sedan.
What’s new? New masculine styling, 1966 changes, square dash, four speed manual
Falcon Firsts: Square tail lights
Prices at introduction: Falcon sedan - $2326, Futura sedan - $2830
Total XWs built: 105785
Transmission: 3 speed manual, 4 speed manual, 3 speed auto, 3 speed Cruisomatic
Engines: 3.1 188 cubic inches (3.1L) 6 cyl Bore and stroke: 3.68 x 2.94 inches Power: 118bhp (88kW) at 4400rpm Torque: 180lb-ft (244Nm) at 2400rpm Pushrod overhead valve, 2 valves per cylinder Fuel system: Single throat carburettor Compression ratio: 8.7:1	3.6 221 cubic inches (3.6L) 6 cyl Bore and stroke: 3.68 x 3.46 inches Power: 140bhp (104kW) at 4400rpm Torque: 210lb-ft (285Nm) at 2400rpm Pushrod overhead valve, 2 valves per cylinder Fuel system: Single throat carburettor Compression ratio: 9.3:1
Mustang 302 cubic inches (5L) V8 Bore and stroke: 4 x 3 inches Power: 220bhp (164kW) at 4600rpm Torque: 300lb-ft (407Nm) at 2600rpm Pushrod overhead valve, 2 valves per cylinder Fuel system: Two barrel carburettor Compression ratio: 9.5:1
Fuel consumption: 20 mpg (3.6 221 Fairmont three speed auto, Modern Motor magazine)
Performance (Falcon 302 V8 sedan, four speed manual): Top speeds in gears 1st: 38mph (61km/h) 2nd: 58mph (93km/h) 3rd: 83mph (134km/h) 4th: 114mph (183km/h) 0-60mph (0-97km/h): 10.5 seconds Standing quarter mile (402m): 16.9 seconds
Suspension: Front Independent with coil springs and hydraulic double acting shock absorbers, stabiliser bar	Rear Live axle, semi-elliptic springs with hydraulic double acting shock absorbers
Brakes: Front Hydraulic operation, 10 inch drums, 11.5 inch power assisted discs on Fairmont, optional on other models	Rear Hydraulic operation, 10 inch drums
Steering: Recirculating ball, optional power steering
Wheels: Pressed steel disc wheels with safety rims
Tyres: 6.95 x 14, 7.35 x 14, optional 185 x 14
Dimensions (sedan): Length: 184.6 inches (4689mm) Width: 73.6 inches (1869mm) Height: 55.8 inches (1417mm) Wheelbase: 111 inches (2819mm) Front track: 58.9 inches (1496mm) Rear track: 58.5 inches (1486mm) Kerb weight: 2972lb (1348kg) Turning circle: 36.6ft (11.2 m) Fuel tank: 16.4 gallons (74.6 litres) Boot space: 25.4 cubic feet (720 litres)	Interior dimensions (sedan): Front headroom: 38.7 inches (983mm) Rear headroom: 37.6 inches (955mm) Front shoulder room: 58 inches (1473mm) Rear shoulder room: 58 inches (1473mm) Front hip room: 59.5 inches (1511mm) Rear hip room: 59.5 inches (1511mm) Front legroom: 42.1 inches (1069mm) Rear legroom: 37.8 inches (960mm)
Features:
Awards:
Rivals: HT/HG Holden, Chrysler VF/VG Valiant
XW Falcon Links (new window)	Related pages
XR/XT/XW/XY Gallery FPV: 1966-72 XR-XT-XW-XY Falcon Utility FPV: 1969-78 Falcon GS Option Pack FoMoCo XW Falcon information Marcello’s 1970 XW Falcon	Falcon Facts: XW Falcon GT Falcon Facts: ZC Fairlane Falcon Facts: XT Falcon Falcon Facts: XY Falcon
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