- Responsive engines
- Spacious interior
- Comfortable ride and predictable handling
- Folding rear seats add to cargo capacity
- Good visibility
- Vague steering
- ABS not standard
- Poor standard of fit and finish
- Inadequate air conditioning system
- Basic live rear axle suspension
Overview
Released in September 1996, the Ford EL Falcon was available as sedan or wagon. Manufactured in Campbellfield, Victoria, the rear-wheel drive Falcon was powered by either 4.0-litre inline six-cylinder petrol engines or 4.9-litre V8 petrol engines; both were available with four-speed automatic or five-speed manual transmissions. The EL Falcon range initially consisted of the GLi, Futura, XR6 and XR8 variants. In February 1997, a limited-run GT variant was introduced and, in October 1997, the XR8 benefited from a power upgrade.
Engines
Of the engines.
- the 4.0-litre inline six cylinder engine had cast iron block, an alloy cylinder head, a single overhead camshaft (SOHC), two valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 9.3:1; and,
- the 4.9-litre pushrod V8 engine had a cast iron block and cylinder head, two valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 9.0:1.
Developments
Compared to the EF Falcon , the EL Falcon had a quieter cabin due to the introduction of thicker glass and additional dashboard insulation; the coil-pack ignition system was also replaced with a distributor. Visually, the EL Falcon could be identified by its elliptical grille, while the bonnet, front bumper and headlights were also revised. Inside, there were reshaped seats and headrests, while the ‘Smart Tint’ window film provided SPF15 UV protection.
Dimensions
The EL Falcon sedan was 4906 mm long, 1861 mm wide, 1453 mm tall and had a 2791 mm long wheelbase. The wagon models, however, were 136 mm longer (at 5042 mm), 5 mm narrower (1856 mm), 76 mm taller (1529 mm) and had 132 mm longer wheelbases (2923 mm).
Suspension
The EL Falcon had Short Long Arm (SLA) front suspension and sedans had a live rear axle with four trailing arms and Watts linkages. For the EL, however, the rear suspension was revised to reduce roll oversteer by lowering the Watts link pivot point by 20 mm and changing the geometry of the rear upper arms; the front and rear spring rates were also reduced for greater ride comfort. Wagon models, however, continued with their Hotchkiss (or leaf spring) rear suspension largely unchanged.
| Body | Variant | Years | Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sedan | GLi, Futura |
1996-98 | 4.0-litre petrol I6 | 4sp auto, 5sp man. |
157 kW at 4900 rpm | 357 Nm at 3000 rpm |
| 4.9-litre petrol V8 | 4sp auto | 165 kW at 4500 rpm | 388 Nm at 3000 rpm | |||
| XR6 | 1996-98 | 4.0-litre petrol I6 | 4sp auto, 5sp man. |
164 kW at 5000 rpm | 366 Nm at 3150 rpm | |
| XR8 | 1996-97 | 4.9-litre petrol V8 | 4sp auto, 5sp man. |
170 kW at 4500 rpm | 398 Nm at 3100 rpm | |
| 1997-98 | 4.9-litre petrol V8 | 4sp auto, 5sp man. |
185 kW at 4500 rpm | 402 Nm at 3100 rpm | ||
| GT | 1997 | 4.9-litre petrol V8 | 4sp auto, 5sp man. |
200 kW at 4700 rpm | 420 Nm at 3700 rpm | |
| Wagon | GLi | 1996-98 | 4.0-litre petrol I6 | 4sp auto, 5sp man. |
157 kW at 4900 rpm | 357 Nm at 3000 rpm |
| 1996-98 | 4.9-litre petrol V8 | 4sp auto | 165 kW at 4500 rpm | 388 Nm at 3000 rpm | ||
| Futura | 1996-98 | 4.0-litre petrol I6 | 4sp auto | 157 kW at 4900 rpm | 357 Nm at 3000 rpm |
Safety equipment
Standard safety equipment for the EL Falcon consisted of a driver’s airbag, while all variants other than the GLi were also equipped with ABS. The GT was also fitted with a front passenger airbag as standard.
Brakes
The standard braking package for the EL Falcon consisted of 287 mm ventilated front brake discs and 299 mm solid rear discs. The Falcon GT, however, had 329 mm by 28.5 mm ventilated front brake discs with twin-piston calipers.
Features: Falcon GLi, Futura, XR6 and XR8
Standard features for the Falcon GLi included 15-inch steel wheels, a four speaker sound system with a radio and cassette player, 60/40 split and folding rear seats, remote central locking, power mirrors, a rake and reach adjustable steering wheel, height adjustable driver’s seat and an immobiliser. Beyond this, the Futura added a six speaker sound system, cruise control and front power windows.
The Falcon XR6 and XR8 were further equipped with 15-inch alloy wheels, sports suspension, contoured sports seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and limited slip differential. From October 1997, the XR6 and XR8 were fitted with 16-inch alloy wheels and air conditioning as standard.
1997 Ford Falcon GT
Released in February 1997, the GT was a limited-run model restricted to 250 units. Compared to the XR variants, the GT was distinguished by its 17-inch alloy wheels with 245/40 VR17 A510 Yokohama tyres, a nine speaker sound system with a boot-mounted six-disc CD player, climate control air conditioning, leather and suede-finish seats, a Momo steering wheel finished in wood and leather, burnished chrome and woodgrain trim.
1997 Ford Falcon GLi Sapphire and Futura Sapphire
In August 1997, Sapphire editions of the GLi and Futura variants were released; the Sapphire editions were fitted with 15-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning, cruise control and, for Futura variants, a front passenger airbag. Visually, the Sapphire editions could be identified by their unique badging and pinstripes.
1998 Ford Falcon Sapphire II
In February 1998, Sapphire II editions of the GLi and Futura variants were released; the Sapphire editions were fitted with 15-inch alloy wheels, air conditioning, cruise control, front power windows and, for Futura variants, unique interior trim. As before, the Sapphire editions could be identified by their unique badging and pinstripes.
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