EL Falcon - Futura specs:

INDEX:

• Summary.
• Comparison - GLi vs Futura.
  
• Full Specifications Listing.

Summary:
Externally very similar to the GLi, the EL Futura was one of those cars where the benefits far exceeded those immediately obvious from the exterior.  If you need any more proof just check out the list of items below!  ABS and Cruise Control as standard immediately stand out, but it is the little things that you couldn't have on your GLi that make the difference.  Containing just enough luxury items to make life that little bit more pleasant, in many ways the EL Futura was a more comfortably equipped model than the AU version of the same.

The same goes for the styling as said for the GLi - externally there is very little to tell the two cars apart.  Yet with the V8 Supercars being based on this body style, very little is lost in the way of street cred.  Again, the V8 was available (refer GLi comments) - hardly worth having for the small power increase it brought - but well worth it if you plan to take the modified V8 route.

As a second hand vehicle, the EL Futura even further exemplifies the saying "so much car for so little money", bringing with it traditional Falcon qualities such as exceptional comfort levels, great highway cruisability and safety levels simply not possible in anything short of a car this size.  When it comes to achieving the necessary items to enjoying a relaxed motoring passage, the Futura is it.  It may not have the opulence of the more upmarket Falcons but it does not miss out by much of any value anyway.

• ABS.
• Cruise Control.
• Road speed sensitive intermittent wipers.
• Adjustable B pillar seat belt anchorages.
• Front power windows with consol mounted switches and power window time delay after turning the key to the 'off' position.
• Ignition lock illumination.
• Digital clock in instrument panel display.
• Low engine coolant warning light.
• Front and rear seat head rests.
• Seats trimmed in 'Pinoak' cloth with 'Aerial' cloth insert.
• Doors trimmed in vinyl with 'Pinoak' cloth covered insert.
• Drivers and passenger's vanity mirror.
• Gathered seat back map pockets.
• Fold out rear seat arm rest.
• Interior light with map reading lamps.
• Rear map reading lights.
• Integrated grab handles and coat hooks in ceiling.
• Electronic tuning, 40 watt (verses 20 watt for the GLi) AM/FM radio/cassette with six speakers (four for the GLi), auto reverse, auto scan, security code and one hour keyless play.
• Body coloured grill.
• Body coloured side protection mouldings.
• Body coloured wagon rear number plate 'applique'.
• Body coloured fold away exterior rear view mirrors.
• Body coloured licence plate lamp (sedan).
• 12 spoke clear coated wheel covers.

• 

Other changes were (GLi vs Futura):

• 5 speed manual not available in the EL Futura wagon (doh!) - 4 speed auto standard.
• Prestige paint available as a No-Cost Option.
• Optional 6 disc boot mounted CD player / mid series radio (available in sedan only).
• Column auto not available.
• Centrefold front bench seat not available.
• Column shift auto not available.

INDEX:

4.0 litre SOHC (single over head cam) inline 6 cylinder:

• 157kW @ 4900 rpm.
• 357Nm @ 3000 rpm.
• Bore & Stroke - 92.26 x 99.3mm.
• Compression Ratio - 9.3:1
• Multi point sequential fuel injection.
• Distributor style electronically controlled ignition system.
• Fuel required: regular unleaded petrol.
• Alloy cylinder head.
• Cast iron block.
• 8 counterweighted crankshaft.
• Alloy rocker cover.
• Laminated pressed steel sump.
• Dual resonance intake manifold.
• Serpentine accessory drive belt for quietness & reliability.

Engine Option No.1:
5.0 litre OHV (over head valve) V8.

• 165kw @ 4500 rpm.
• 388Nm @ 3000 rpm.
• Pressed steel rocker covers and sump.
• Push rod valve actuation.
• Cast iron heads.
• Sequential fuel injection.
• Serpentine accessory drive belt for quietness & reliability.


Engine Option No.2:

• Tickford Fitted LPG (available from the factory on six cylinder auto only).


Battery:(back to index)

• 400 CCA (cold cranking amps).
• 95 minutes reserve capacity.
• 53 Ampere hour.

Gearbox:(back to index)

• 4 speed auto standard.

Including:
• Electronically controlled.
• Lock up torque converter.
• Power & Economy modes.
• Normal/Economy mode auto transmission indicator light on dashboard.
• Overdrive 4th gear.
• 5 speed manual not available (doh!!!)


For Gear Box ratios please refer to our EL History/Tech page.


 
Brakes:(back to index)


• ABS brakes standard (containing the latest Bosch 5.3 ABS module).
• Power assisted, four wheel discs.
• Front - 287mm dia ventilated discs.
• Rear -  299 mm dia solid discs.
• All with asbestos free brake pads.
• Floor mounted hand brake handle (left side of driver's seat).
• Highly effective 'mini drum' dedicated rear handbrake inside of each rear disc brake.  Note: Use of this hand brake mechanism as a moving braking device may cause damage to the rear shoes.


Suspension:(back to index)
Front.

• Short / Long Arm, Long Spindle (SLALS).
• Single rate coil springs.
• Twin tube telescopic shock absorbers with "coil over" spring / shock absorber mounting design.
• Improved shock absorber valving - see our EL History/Tech page for more details.
• Stabiliser bar.
• New stabilizer bar insulation rubbers.

  Rear (Sedan).

• Live axil.
• Four trailing arms with Watts linkage.
• Twin tube telescopic shock absorbers with "coil over" spring / shock absorber mounting design.
• Stabiliser bar.
• 8% Softer rear springs (better ride).
• Watts link pivot point on rear axil relocated 20mm lower (as per EF XR) for a lower roll centre.
• EF XR rear suspension geometry adapted to suit the higher ride height of the standard Falcon sedans via a longer upper control arm.





Rear (Wagon).

• Live axil.
• Leaf springs.
• Inboard, diagonally mounted twin tube telescopic shock absorbers.
• Improved shock absorber valving - see our EL History/Tech page for more details.

Options: (Overall)

• Tickford fitted sports suspension.


Steering:(back to index)

• Power assisted rack & pinion.
• Reduced power assistance compared to EF, to improve 'steering feel' and vehicle stability.
• Adjustable rake and reach steering column.
• Cruise control standard (via steering wheel mounted ON/OFF, RESUME and +/- buttons).
• Minimum turning circle - 10.9 metres diameter or 11.3 for the wagon.


Wheels & Tyres:(back to index)

• 15" x 6.0" steel wheels with 12 spoke clear coated wheel covers.
• P205/65 HR15 steel belt radial ply tyres standard.
• 15" alloy wheels optional (same as those fitted to XH Falcon 'S' ute).
• Optional 16" Tickford 5-spoke alloy wheels with Yokohama P225/50 VR16 tyres.
• Optional 16" closed face alloy wheels with Yokohama P225/50 Z16 tyres.
• The above 16" wheels only available in conjunction with the sports suspension option.


Safety Items:(back to index)

• Driver's Air Bag standard.
• Passenger's Air Bag optional.
• Front and rear seat head rests.
• Standardised child seat anchorage bolts fitted in both sedan and wagon.
• Front Inertia reel seat belts with "belt lockers" to minimise payout of set belt webbing in extreme conditions.
• Adjustable B pillar (front) seat belt anchorages.
• Rear inertia reel seat belts for all passengers (sedan).
• Rear inertia reel seat belts on outside seating positions and adjustable rear centre lap belt for centre position (wagon).
• Colour keyed seat belts.
• Child proof rear door locks.
• Plastic fuel tank fitted to sedan - will deform in an accident rather than splitting.  Pressure & impact tested to far above what a normal steel petrol tank can withstand.
• Best in class roof crush strength.
• Optional fire extinguisher - includes mounting bracket.





Glass / Windows / Visual Equipment:(back to index)


• Front power windows standard (with consol mounted switches).
• Two speed front windscreen wipers with road speed sensitive variable intermittent setting and demand wipe feature (one wipe at the flick of a finger).
• Body colour electrically adjustable fold away exterior rear view mirrors.
• Wide angle left hand rear view mirror.
• Rear glass graduated sun shade band (sedan only - introduced in EF2)
• Twin dual jet windscreen washers.
• Wagon rear fixed intermittent wiper with demand wash/wipe and auto wiper (via twist knob on end of wiper shaft) activated when in reverse gear and front wipers operating.
• Rear window demister with timed automatic switch off feature.
• Tinted laminated windscreen with tinted band.
• "Smart Tint" side and rear glass - equivalent to SPF 15+ sunscreen for better sun protection and a cooler interior.
• Prismatic day/night interior rear view mirror.
• Passenger vanity mirror mounted on sun visor in addition to the Driver's vanity mirror.
• 5mm side glass (replacing 3mm in EF) for added wind noise suppression and a security increase.
• Optional Sedan Rear Sunshade - made from dark grey translucent acrylic.
• Optional Wagon dust deflector (fitted to top of tail gate) - made of dark grey translucent acrylic, designed to scoop air off of the roof down onto the tail gate helping prevent dust from accumulating on the rear window & obscuring vision.
• Optional front exterior sun visor.
• Optional rear window louvre - sedan only.
• Optional clear wind deflector for front windows.


Identification:(back to index)

• Body colour grill bar.
• Body colour side protection mouldings.
• Body colour number plate & reversing light surround on Futura station wagons.
• Body colour exterior rear view mirrors.
• Body colour licence plate lamp (sedan only).
• New front bumper, including removed brake ducts, over all shape made to include opening for a grill.
• Front bumper protection strips shorter and moulded into bumper (rather than removable as in EF).
• Grill re-introduced (functional).
• New bonnet, shaped to wrap over the top of the new grill.
• Unique 'EL' Falcon badge lettering style.


Exterior:(back to index)


Body coloured exterior door handles. Body coloured front & rear bumpers. Body coloured front & rear bumper bump strips. Optional air bag compatible 'Smart Bar' (or bull bar to you and me). Optional form fitted front and rear mudflaps. Optional bonnet and headlight stone guards.



Lights:(back to index)

• Polycarbonate halogen headlamps with integrated indicator and park lamps (overall shape of light has been changed from EF).
• New tail lights (sedan) with amber lenses replacing the EF's white indicators.
• New tail lights (wagon) with colourless opaque lenses replacing the previously amber EA - EF station wagon blinker lenses.
• High mounted stop light.
• Black licence plate lamp (sedan only).


Security:(back to index)

• Left hand front exterior door lock deleted for improved security.
• "Smart lock" electronic engine immobilisation and keyless entry system.
• "Tibbe" locks on doors, ignition, and boot / tailgate.
• Ignition lock illumination.
• Recessed door button (drivers door only).
• Strengthened steering column lock housing.
• Smart lock flashing symbol on dash board when ignition is turned off.
• Remote central locking.
• Wagon tail gate lock included in central locking system.
• Optional dealer fitted factory approved car alarm.


Interior:(back to index)

Trim:

• Left hand interior door mounted lock/unlock button deleted as a security measure.
• Doors trimmed in vinyl with 'Pinoak' cloth covered insert.
• Moulded cloth covered headlining.
• Colour keyed seat belts.
• Front Door map pockets.
• Other interior items done in Mako Grey with Light Luna Mist high lights.

Seating:(back to index)



• Seats trimmed in 'Pinoak' cloth with 'Aerial' cloth insert.
• Fold out rear seat arm rest.
• Front and rear seat head rests.
• EF front seat 'horns' deleted (appearance item - either side of head rest on top of seat back).
• Driver and front passenger seat fore and aft adjustment.
• Driver and front passenger seat infinitely adjustable recline between limitations of rear seat and steering wheel.
• Driver's seat height adjustment and adjustable thigh support.
• Vertically adjustable lumbar support for driver and front passenger.
• 60/40 split fold rear seat back rest.

Lighting:(back to index)

• Battery saver feature - turns off all interior lighting after 1 hour of being left on, ignition turned off and keys removed.
• Interior light with map reading lamps.
• Rear map reading lights.
• Ignition lock illumination.
• Remote operated illuminated entry system.
• Luggage compartment lamp.
• Dual intensity instrument panel illumination.
• Illuminated front cigar lighter and ashtray.
• Illuminated lockable glove box.

Gauges & Dash controls:(back to index)

• Dash outer sound absorber introduced on GLi to further reduce NVH levels.
• Two speed front windscreen wipers with road speed sensitive intermittent setting and demand wipe feature (one wipe at the flick of a finger).
• Rear wiper controls for wagon (see Windows section for full operational details).
• Rear window demister with timed automatic switch off feature.
• Colour keyed switches and buttons.
• Remote fuel filler release.
• Remote boot release (sedan).
• Smart lock flashing symbol when ignition is turned off.
• Service interval indicator.
• Normal/Economy mode auto transmission indicator light.
• Optional Trip Computer - calculates distance to empty, average speed, average fuel consumption etc.
• Warning lights:
• High beam.
• Rear window demister on.
• turn signal / hazard lights on.
• Alternator failure.
• Lights on.
• Park brake on.
• Brake failure.
• Seat belt reminder (set on timer, every time you start the vehicle).
• ABS test lamp - comes on when you start the car while the ABS does a self test - remains on if a problem is found.
• Air bag test lamp.
• High temperature.
• Engine coolant low level lamp.
• Gauges:
• Gauge back grounds in light grey colour with black surrounds with new graphics unique to EL.
• Speedometer (km/h).
• Odometer.
• Trip meter.
• Fuel level.
• Water temperature.
• Tachometer.
• Digital clock in instrument panel display.
• Audible warning chimes:
• Lights left on.
• High engine temperature.
• Turn signal.

Audio System:(back to index)

• Electronic tuning 40 watt AM/FM stereo radio/cassette with:
• Auto reverse.
• Security code.
• One hour keyless play.
• Auto scan.
• Six speakers.
• Mobile phone wiring built in, including automatic radio mute.
• Optional Electric Aerial - extends when radio is switched on, retracts when radio or ignition is switched off.
• Optional 6 disc boot mounted CD player / mid series radio (available in sedan only).

Interior Convenience:(back to index)

• Gathered seat back map pockets.
• Centre consol with large storage compartment, centre arm rest and integrated cup holder.
• Front Door map pocket.
• Integrated grab handles and coat hooks in ceiling.
• Passenger vanity mirror added as standard fitment.

Comfort:(back to index)

• Carpeted passenger compartment floor.
• Optional CFC free air conditioning.


Cargo Area:(back to index)

• 60/40 split fold rear seat back rest.
• Carpeted luggage compartment floor.
• Luggage capacity - 465 litres (sedan), 1473 litres (wagon) or 2595 litres with the rear seats folded down.
• Pre-drilled & tapped cargo barrier fixing points for the first time.
• New BEM (Body Electronics Module) allows for a 'Security Delay' keeping power to the boot release for up to 10 minutes after turning the vehicle off and removing the keys from the ignition.  The EF did not have this feature.
• Optional Sedan carry bars.
• Optional Wagon carry bars.
• Optional Wagon roof rack.
• Optional Wagon cargo barrier.
• Optional boot liner (sedans only).


Towing:(back to index)

• Optional 1600kg rated Tow Pack.
• Optional 2300kg rated Tow Pack.
• All Ford specified & fitted tow pack's contain the following features:
• Tow bar.
• Hitch and/or ball mount.
• Wiring harness with 'flat' 7-pin electrical connector.
• Towing turn signal 'flasher'.
• Supplementary transmission cooler.

• Disabled driver's kit - making driving easier for those with certain disabilities - available free of charge with the purchase of a new EL.

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