Ford Falcon (EL)
Ford EL Falcon
| EL Falcon | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Production | October 1996–September 1998 133,461 Units produced |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | Straight Six
|
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2791 mm (dimensions based on GLi) |
| Length | Sedan
|
| Width | 1861 mm |
| Height | 1453 mm |
| Curb weight | 1536 kg |
The EA model Falcon introduced in 1988 bore a passing resemblance to the European Ford Scorpio but under the skin, it remained entirely Australian. The EA was only produced in sedan and station wagon models, with the previous-model (XF) ute and panel van continuing in production. Between 1989 and 1992, a version of the XF Falcon ute was badged as a Nissan under an unsuccessful government-backed model-sharing scheme called the Button Plan (which also saw the Nissan Pintara badged as the Ford Corsair). The EA engine options consisted of a 3.9L straight six cylinder engine (putting out 139 kW and 311 nm), as well as a short-lived, rough and poorly received CFI 3.2L straight six (putting out 90 kW & 235 nm). A 3-speed automatic and a 5-speed manual were the transmission options. The EA model, while initially popular, ultimately proved unreliable: transmission issues and electrical faults (also experienced by their major competitor at the time, the Holden VN Commodore were commonplace before the EB model was hurriedly released in 1991.
Indeed, corporate competitiveness proved to be the downfall of the EA Falcon. From the start the EA (and its VN rival) possessed all the trademarks of cars released onto the market too early - uneven shutlines, computer problems, poor paint quality, and various mechanical issues. An irony of the unsuccessful release of the EA series was that its final body design was completed and - through scoop photographs in Wheels magazine - shown to the public in 1985, three years before the car hit the market.
When the EA series II was introduced it brought with it many benefits that should have been introduced on the original EA, but due to supplier problems were not available. These options included a 4 speed Australian designed automatic transmission and a high-mounted brake light. The 3.2L engine was dropped. Also during the EA series II Ford released the 30th anniversary Falcon to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the release of the Falcon in Australia. This included exclusive badging, colour-coded bumpers, and other minor extras.
EA model reliability also curtailed resale value and still does to this day; most second-hand car purchasers usually prefer to pay more money for the preceding XF model or the succeeding EB model than for the EA. Despite the EA series II having significantly fewer problems than the series I, series II prices are also affected by this issue. This also affected the Fairlane and LTD, as well as the ute and panelvan models, which still persisted with their old XF styling.
The 5.0-L Windsor V8 was reintroduced on the EB range but did not reappear in the ute until the "EF-shaped" XH series ute in 1997. Also, the front suspension geometry was changed and positive camber was introduced on the front wheels, affording the car a much better level of grip and steering feel. Negative camber was retained for the EA-series because suspension settings were finalised before it was decided to include power steering as standard across the range. Despite its handling drawbacks, negative camber would have made non-power assisted steering easier for drivers, especially while parking.
The EB Series II saw the engine upsized by 35 cc (from 3949 cc to 3984 cc) to bring the nominal total swept capacity to 4.0L (with 141 kW and 348 nm). The transmission and electronics were improved, and there were tweaks to the styling. The EB saw many firsts; anti-lock brakes became an option, a Falcon first, and in 1993 a lap sash centre rear seat belt became standard - a first for an Australian car. The EB also introduced the Smartlock security system which featured Tibbe locks and an engine immobiliser. To demonstrate the effectiveness of Smartlock, South Australian Police invited four professional car thieves to steal the EB. After four days, they gave up.
Also introduced in the EB series II upgrade were foam-filled A-pillars which greatly increased crush protection and stiffened the frame, thus helping to reduce Noise, Vibration, and Harshness (NVH).
Following the EB came the The ED in 1993. This was was arguably one of Ford's best ever Falcons, righting the wrongs of the previous EA and EB models - so much so that no substantial changes were made until the EF of 1994. Build quality, standard equipment levels, options and styling were all finally resolved in the ED. Engine output for the 4.0L was increased to 148 kW. Introduced in August 1994, the EF brought with it a new slicker body design and new interior. The 4.0 litre inline six-cylinder engine was upgraded to aid refinement and increase power to 157 kW and 357 nm of torque. The EF is also the first Australian produced car to have a driver's side airbag as standard across the range, even though the Holden Commodore was the first to feature it as an option. Changes were also made to the suspension with the aim of providing a more supple ride, but drew criticism for producing nervous handling and an unsettling feeling of roll oversteer (a problem not corrected until the EL facelift).
By this time, the popularity of the panel van had faded and Ford released their final panel van in 1997 with their XH & XH2 models (based on the EF model of the previous year). The XH Falcon ute was basically the old XF ute with an EF Falcon nose grafted on. From the A pillar forward it was EF and from there back it was XF. It was also during this model the V8 was re-introduced into the ute range.
The final E-series model, the EL, was produced from 1996 to 1998. A mild facelift of the EF, the EL introduced improvements to the rear suspension and steering to address handling concerns with the EF.
Falcon-based utes continued evolving along the lines of the sedan, however; the next model (AU) offered the first tray-model ute in many years commonly known in Australia as the One-Tonner.