- Responsive engines
- Spacious interior
- Folding rear seats add to cargo capacity
- Good visibility
- Comfortable ride…
- … but suspension design can cause roll-oversteer
- Vague steering
- Poor standard of fit and finish
- Inadequate air conditioning system
- Basic live rear axle suspension
Review: Ford NF.I Fairlane and DF.I LTD (1995)
Overview
Released in March 1995, the Ford NF Series I (NF.I) Fairlane and DF Series I (DF.I) LTD were long wheelbase, luxury sedans. Manufactured in Campbellfield, Victoria, both the Fairlane and LTD were available with either 4.0-litre inline six cylinder or 4.9-litre V8 petrol engines that were mated to four-speed automatic transmissions.
Engines
Of the engines,
- the 4.0-litre inline six cylinder engine had a single overhead camshaft, two valves per cylinder a compression ratio of 9.3:1. For the NL/DL Fairlane and LTD, however, the coil-pack ignition system was replaced by a distributor and a divided air induction pipe was replaced with a single pipe; and,
- the 4.9-litre pushrod V8 engine had two valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 9.0:1.
Dimensions and suspension
Compared to the EF Falcon on which they were based, the NF/DF Fairlane and LTD were 216 mm longer (at 5122 mm), the same width (1861 mm), 25 mm lower (1428 mm) and had 128 mm longer wheelbases (2919 mm). The NF/DF Fairlane and LTD had independent front suspension with unequal length arms and a live-rear axle with four trailing arms and Watt’s linkages.
| Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairlane Ghia, LTD |
4.0-litre petrol I6 | 4sp auto | 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 |
Safety equipment
Standard safety equipment for the NF Fairlane and DF LTD included a driver’s airbag and ABS.
Brakes
The NF Fairlane and DF LTD had 287 mm by 25 mm vented front brake discs and 299 mm by 10.5 mm solid rear discs.
Features
Standard features for the NF Fairlane included 15-inch alloy wheels, an eight speaker sound system with CD player, climate control air conditioning, cruise control, velour seat fabric, front fog lights, leather-wrapped steering wheel, central locking, power windows and mirrors, trip computer and woodgrain interior trim.
The DF LTD was further equipped with a nine speaker, 250 watt sound system with Digital Sound Processing, a boot-mounted six-disc CD player, leather upholstery and ten-way power adjustable front seats.
Review: Ford NF.II Fairlane and DF.II LTD (1995-96)
Overview
Released in October 1995, the NF Series II (NF.II) Fairlane and DF Series II (DF.II) LTD introduced improved safety equipment and minor interior trim changes. In July 1996, a limited-run Fairlane Sportsman model was introduced.
| Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairlane Ghia, LTD |
4.0-litre petrol I6 | 4sp auto | 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 | |
| Fairlane Sportsman | 4.0-litre petrol I6 | 4sp auto | 157 kW at 4900 rpm | 357 Nm at 3000 rpm |
Safety equipment
Standard safety equipment for the NF.II and DF.II Fairlane and LTD was extended to include a front passenger airbag.
Features
Standard features for the NF.II Fairlane and DF.II LTD were largely unchanged.
Compared to the Fairlane Ghia, the Fairlane Sportsman was distinguished by its 16-inch alloy wheels, nine speaker sound system as per the LTD (including the boot-mounted six-disc CD player) and power-operated sunroof.
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