The Ford Falcon (EF) was a

full-size car Full-size car—also known as large car—is a vehicle size class which originated in the United States and is used for cars larger than mid-size cars, it is the largest size class for cars. In Europe, it is known as E-segment or F-segment. Af ...

that was produced by

Ford Australia Ford Motor Company of Australia Limited (known by its trading name Ford Australia) is the Australian subsidiary of United States-based automaker Ford Motor Company. It was founded in Geelong, Victoria, in 1925 as an outpost of Ford Motor Comp ...

from 1994 to 1996. It was the fourth significantly updated iteration of the fifth generation of the

Falcon Falcons () are birds of prey in the genus ''Falco'', which includes about 40 species. Falcons are widely distributed on all continents of the world except Antarctica, though closely related raptors did occur there in the Eocene. Adult falcons ...

and also included the Ford Fairmont (EF)—the luxury-oriented.

Introduction and changes

The Ford EF Falcon was introduced in August 1994. It was a significant facelift of the Ford Falcon (ED),Ford Falcon EF at www.uniquecarsandparts.com.au
Retrieved 15 April 2011 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. An upgraded EF Series II range was introduced in October 1995. The EF Series also saw the first use of

polycarbonate Polycarbonates (PC) are a group of thermoplastic polymers containing carbonate groups in their chemical structures. Polycarbonates used in engineering are strong, tough materials, and some grades are optically transparent. They are easily work ...

headlight lenses instead of

glass Glass is a non-crystalline, often transparent, amorphous solid that has widespread practical, technological, and decorative use in, for example, window panes, tableware, and optics. Glass is most often formed by rapid cooling (quenching) of ...

, saving weight and gaining shatter resistance.

Model range

The EF range was offered in six, four-door sedan and four, five-door

wagon A wagon or waggon is a heavy four-wheeled vehicle pulled by draught animals or on occasion by humans, used for transporting goods, commodities, agricultural materials, supplies and sometimes people. Wagons are immediately distinguished from ...

models, marketed as follows: * Ford Falcon GLi sedan and wagon * Ford Falcon Futura sedan and wagon * Ford Falcon XR6 sedan and wagon * Ford Falcon XR8 sedan * Ford Fairmont sedan and wagon * Ford Fairmont Ghia sedan

Trim levels

1995 Ford Falcon (EF) XR6 sedan (26244353386)

;Base models The EF range started with the GLi and Futura, appealing most to fleet buyers and family buyers respectively. GLi models were available in sedan and wagon versions and 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 six-cylinder, while a 5.0-litre V8 and four-speed automatic was optional.EF Falcon GLi Specifications
– True Blue Ford. 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, six-speaker audio system (six-stacker optional), a digital clock, variable intermittent wipers, fold-out rear-seat armrest and interior grab handles.EF Falcon Futura Specifications
– True Blue Ford. 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. ;Sport models 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 twin headlamps and red or black bumper strips (depending on the body colour) and unique 15-inch alloy wheels.
– True Blue Ford. 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 which included lower springs and upgraded swaybars, 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 with a lower ratio for increased acceleration, 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 six-cylinder as the base models but with Tickford alloy cylinder heads, a Tickford spec cam along with higher pressure valve springs and unique EEC programming to make the most of the changes made to the engine. A press bent 2.5-inch exhaust was also added, a minor upgrade over the standard 2.25-inch system. The XR6 delivers at 5000 rpm up from in the ED Falcon. The XR8 has a 5.0-litre OHV (over head valve) V8 delivering at 4500 rpm up from the . LPG was not offered as a factory option on the XR6 and XR8 models. Transmissions available were a five-speed manual as standard and a four-speed auto which is electronically controlled and tuned by Tickford. ;Luxury models Luxury models in the EF Falcon range were not branded as Falcon; they were branded either a Ford Fairmont or Ford Fairmont Ghia.Sales brochure for EF series Ford Fairmont and Ford Fairmont Ghia, 1996 edition The Fairmont was based on the Futura and had all the features of the Futura but added a trip computer, climate control as standard, adjustable steering wheel, Remote Boot Release, Remote Keyless Entry, central locking and 15-inch alloy wheels. The Fairmont Ghia added a nine-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 front bar, and were the only model in the EF Falcon range to have a grille (albeit non-functional). four-speed automatic transmission was standard across the Fairmont lineup and had the option of the 4.0-litre SOHC (single over head cam) inline six-cylinder or a 5.0-litre OHV (over head valve) V8. The six-cylinder Ghia version received the motor out of the XR6. The difference in power output is attributed to the quieter exhaust system fitted to the Ghia rather than the higher flowing system of the XR.Ford Fairmont Ghia Specifications
- CarModder. File:1994 Ford Falcon (EF) GLi sedan (2015-11-13) 02.jpg , Falcon GLi sedan File:1994-1996 Ford Falcon (EF) Futura station wagon (2010-08-29).jpg , Falcon Futura wagon File:1995 Ford Falcon (EF) XR6 sedan (18151075365).jpg , Falcon XR6 sedan File:Ford Falcon XR8 (16490541739) (cropped).jpg , Falcon XR8 sedan File:1995 Ford Fairmont (16829579007).jpg , Fairmont sedan

Series II

The Series II was introduced in October 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 too "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 revised hubcaps on the GLi model, revised body side rub strips on the Futura, and black B-pillars on the Fairmont Ghia. All EF II Falcons feature a wide-angle convex passenger side door mirror. ;Limited editions 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 to August 1996. File:1996 Ford Falcon (EF II) GLi sedan (2016-01-04) 01.jpg , EF II Falcon GLi File:1995-1996 Ford EF II Falcon Futura Classic sedan 02.jpg , EF II Falcon Futura Classic sedan File:1996 Ford Falcon (EF II) GLi Olympic Classic sedan (2009-01-17).jpg, EF II GLi Olympic Classic sedan File:1996 Ford Falcon (EF II) Futura Olympic Classic sedan (2015-05-29) 01.jpg , EF II Futura Olympic Classic sedan File:1996 Ford Falcon (EF II) Futura Olympic Classic sedan (2015-05-29) 02.jpg , EF II Futura Olympic Classic sedan

Production

A total of 192,100 EF models were produced prior to replacement of the EF by the

Ford Falcon (EL) The Ford Falcon (EL) is a full-size car that was produced by Ford Australia from 1996 to 1998. It was the fifth and final iteration of the fifth generation of the Falcon and also included the Ford Fairmont (EL)—the luxury-oriented version. Th ...

in 1996.

References

{{Ford Falcon

EF Falcon The Ford Falcon (EF) was a full-size car that was produced by Ford Australia from 1994 to 1996. It was the fourth significantly updated iteration of the fifth generation of the Falcon and also included the Ford Fairmont (EF)—the luxury-oriented ...