EF Falcon 1994-6

Ford’s next evolution of the EA Falcon was so different, it could almost be regarded as a totally new model. On the outside, the doors were the only parts carried over.The EF’s styling was softer and rounder and this made the car appear smaller than it actually was.

GLi and Futura models no longer had a grille between the head lights - only the blue oval badge. However, Fairmont and Fairmont Ghia featured slightly different headlights, a fake grille and the Fairlane/LTD bonnet. The XR models kept their trademark quad-headlight design. Every model had body coloured door handles, while alloy wheels and a Tickford body kit were optional.

At the rear, all sedans had semi-circle shaped tail lights with clear indicators. Fairmont models featured a chrome “appliqué” above the number plate. The rear end of the Falcon wagon was carried over from the ED.An all new interior resulted in a light, airy feeling. Cup holders were standard on every model and for the first time, the Falcon’s awkward umbrella handbrake became history, replaced by a conventional floor-mounted design. The very first cars had fuel filler and boot release buttons which were often accidentally pressed when inserting the ignition key. These buttons were recessed a short time later.

Ford paid a lot of attention to safety, most evident by the standard driver’s airbag on all models, a first for an Australian car. Anti-submarining pans were installed to prevent front passengers from slipping out under the seat belt, and the body was reinforced for extra rollover strength and front impact protection. Ford developed the Smart Bar, a bull bar specially designed to work with the driver’s airbag. This innovation was a world first.

Falcon’s big six now had an improved management computer - the EEC V. This worked in conjunction with Computer Torque Control (CTC), which noticeably boosted power and torque to 157kW at 4900rpm and 357Nm at 3000rpm. New internals were added as well as a dual intake system and hydraulic engine mounts. All of these changes resulted in a drop in fuel consumption and extra refinement.

There were a few problems with the EF’s handling. The car’s rear end was twitchy and nervous and when driven into a corner, the rear end wouldn’t follow with the same precision.

This trait was unsettling and it undermined driver confidence, however the problem wasn’t as bad when the EF was driven within its limits. Not all EF Falcons were affected to the same extent.

October 1995 saw the EF Series II facelift. The big news was the new passenger airbag. It was a special design because it protected not only the front passenger, but also the middle passenger (sitting in a GLi with the optional bench seat). The passenger airbag was a $510 option, standard on Fairmont Ghia. The Fairmont Ghia benefited the most from this upgrade, and it was now aimed at the executive who loves to drive. It featured the XR6 engine, lowered suspension and uprated front springs, leather trim and extra chrome - in and out.The rest of the range featured a retuned suspension, different front seat padding to lower the ride height and 25mm extra rearward seat movement.Wind and road noise were isolated from the cabin by using neoprene rubber-based blockers. The XR6 wagon was dropped.