XF Falcon (1984 – 1988)

Softer styling identified the XF Falcon. New front body panels gave the car a more rounded look. The front indicators, which were no longer orange, were incorporated in the slimline headlights and there were revised tail lights.

An all new colour-keyed interior was more up-to-date, with a radio cassette player, digital clock and trip meter now standard; the Fairmont got an adjustable steering wheel. The Fairmont Ghia, with its different dash, featured power windows and door locks, cruise control, and as a result of Ford’s partnership with Mazda, a trip computer, climate control and digital instrumentation. The panel van and ute soldiered on, only now they were on their own, as Holden pulled out of the market.

There were more engineering improvements. Due to Ford’s new state of the art Electronic Engine Control system, power was lifted and fuel economy improved. The two 4.1L engines received significant gains, although the 3.3L only managed a small improvement. In January 1986, it became compulsory for new cars to run on unleaded petrol. XF engines were revised, resulting in slight drops in power, and increasing fuel consumption. Unleaded XFs are identified by the small indicator on the front bumper surrounds.

It was time for a facelift and in October 1986 the XF 1/2 arrived. Changes were minor, the most notable being body-coloured bumpers and grilles, with Fairmont Ghia getting body-coloured mirrors. Other changes were standard power steering and four wheel disc brakes, as well as minor interior trim changes. The Fairmont Ghia was now available as a wagon. A five speed manual became available with the 4.1, although the engines were untouched.

Ford XF Falcon
On Sale: October 1984 – February 1988 (Unleaded update: January 1986; XF 1/2: October 1986)
How do I know it’s an XF? Rounded front nose. Rounded slimline headlights with clear indicators, grey grille has Ford badge in centre with 2 horizontal slats on either side, mirrors are curvier. XF 1/2: Body-coloured grille and bumpers.
Models available: Falcon: Falcon GL: Fairmont: Fairmont Ghia: ute, van sedan, wagon, ute, van sedan, wagon sedan, wagon
Option packs/prototypes/limited editions: ‘S’ Pack:Silver Anniversary:Family Edition:Falcon AWD: Millenium Ute: (Option Pack) “For those who like a sporty difference.” Black body stripes, fog lamps, styled wheels and trim rings, steering rake adjustment, driver’s lumbar support, driver’s seat tilt and footrest, red Falcon S badge at rear and sports instrument cluster.(Limited Edition) Special model to mark 25 years, based on 4.1 GL auto sedan. 15 inch LTD alloy wheels, ‘S’ Pack dash, silver trimmings & pinstripes and Peregrine Falcon badges. September/October 1985, 2000 produced. (Limited Edition) Two-tone “Style-tone” paint with pinstripes and Centafold bench seat. Based on GL, sedan or wagon. September 1987, 2000 produced. (Prototype) 268kW twin-turbo, all-wheel-drive Falcon. Project failed when the XF range was superceded by the EA. 1987. (Show Car) Falcon Ute created for the 1987 Melbourne Motor Show. Bright orange paint on everything including the wheels. New front bumper, roll bar, mag wheels.
What’s new? New interior, Electronic Engine Control system, 1 500 000th Falcon
Falcon Firsts: Power steering and four wheel disc brakes standard across the range (XF 1/2)
Prices at introduction: Falcon GL sedan – $12007, Fairmont Ghia sedan – $19857
Total XFs built: 278101
Transmission: 3 speed manual, 4 speed manual, 5 speed manual, 3 speed automatic
Engines: 3.3L Alloy Head 6 cyl Bore and stroke: 93 x 80 mm Power: 90kW at 4100rpm Torque: 240Nm at 2300rpm Pushrod overhead valve, 2 valves per cylinder Fuel system: Weber carburettor Compression ratio: 9.15:1	4.1L Alloy Head 6 cyl Bore and stroke: 93 x 99 mm Power: 103kW at 3750rpm Torque: 316Nm at 2400rpm Pushrod overhead valve, 2 valves per cylinder Fuel system: Weber carburettor Compression ratio: 9.35:1
4.1L Alloy Head EFI 6 cyl Bore and stroke: 93 x 99 mm Power: 120kW at 4000rpm Torque: 333Nm at 3000rpm Pushrod overhead valve, 2 valves per cylinder Fuel system: EEC IV fuel injection Compression ratio: 8.8:1	3.3L Alloy Head Unleaded 6 cyl Bore and stroke: 93 x 80 mm Power: 88kW at 4000rpm Torque: 235Nm at 2200rpm Pushrod overhead valve, 2 valves per cylinder Fuel system: Weber carburettor Compression ratio: 8.66:1
4.1L Alloy Head Unleaded 6 cyl Bore and stroke: 93 x 99 mm Power: 97.5kW at 3600rpm Torque: 316Nm at 2400rpm Pushrod overhead valve, 2 valves per cylinder Fuel system: Weber carburettor Compression ratio: 8.77:1	4.1L Alloy Head EFI Unleaded 6 cyl Bore and stroke: 93 x 99 mm Power: 121kW at 4000rpm Torque: 325Nm at 3000rpm Pushrod overhead valve, 2 valves per cylinder Fuel system: EEC IV fuel injection Compression ratio: 8.7:1
Fuel consumption: AS2877 City/Highway per 100km: 11.5L/8L (Falcon GL 4.1, 5 speed)
Performance: (Falcon 4.1L EFI sedan, four speed manual): Top speeds in gears 1st: 57km/h 2nd: 96km/h 3rd: 134km/h 4th: 187km/h 0-100km/h: 9.5 seconds Standing 400m: 16.6 seconds	(Falcon 4.1L u/l sedan, five speed manual): Top speeds in gears 1st: 50km/h 2nd: 85km/h 3rd: 130km/h 4th: 170km/h 5th: 175km/h 0-100km/h: 12.5 seconds Standing 400m: 18.5 seconds
Suspension: Front Independent short/long arm. Progressive rate coil springing mounted on upper arm. Twin tube telescopic shock absorber mounted coaxially with the coil spring, 22mm diameter stabiliser barCountry Ride suspension optional Sports Handling suspension optional	Rear (Sedan only) Live axle, four trailing arms with Watts linkage. Coil-type springing (with multiple rate) mounted on rear axle. Twin tube telescopic shock absorber mounted coaxially with the rear coil spring, 22mm diameter stabiliser bar. Conventional semi-elliptic leaf for wagons, utes and vans.
Brakes: Front Ventilated disc 287 x 24mm single piston, self-adjusting floating caliper	Rear GL and Fairmont – 254 x 44mm self-adjusting duo servo drums, Fairmont Ghia – ventilated disc 286 x 24mm single piston, self-adjusting floating caliper. All models had rear disc brakes from October 1986.
Steering: Manual: recirculating ball, 5 turns lock-to-lock, Power: recirculating ball, hydraulically assisted, 2.4 turns lock-to-lock
Wheels: 5.50 x 14 steel, 6.00 x 14 steel, 6.00 x 14 alloy, 7.00 x 15 alloy
Tyres: CR78 S14, ER78 S14, ER70 H14, P195/75 SR14, P215/65 HR14, P205/65 HR15
Dimensions: Length: Width: Height: Wheelbase: Front track: Rear track: Kerb weight: Turning circle: Fuel tank: Boot space: Sedan 4774mm 1860mm 1367mm 2829mm 1550mm 1525mm 1333kg 11m 66 litres 410 litres Wagon 5034mm 1860mm 1397mm 2959mm 1550mm 1525mm 1453kg 11.8m 72 litres	Interior dimensions: Front headroom: Rear headroom: Front shoulder room: Rear shoulder room: Front hip room: Rear hip room: Front legroom: Rear legroom: Sedan 955mm 949mm 1502mm 1500mm 1492mm 1492mm 1064mm 968mm
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Rivals: Holden VK/VL Commodore, Nissan Skyline, Mitsubishi TM/TN Magna