EL Falcon - Fairmont Ghia specs:

INDEX:

Summary.
Comparison - Fairmont vs. Fairmont Ghia.
Full Specifications Listing.

Talk about a Falcon with the lot! Now the only way to top this one was with either a Fairlane, LTD or GT...the EL model change was perhaps kindest to the Fairmont Ghia with most of the visible changes being very acceptable indeed! With the XR6 motor as standard equipment in all 6 cylinder versions and 162kw on tap due to a quieter exhaust (this was a luxury car remember) having a V8 was only a matter of pride, with very little extra bang for your buck and a fuel economy drawback to boot. The EL came with the best looking Ghia alloys for a long time - and that includes later models as well - making it an exceptionally good looking model straight from the factory.

As the model from which the GT was based, the Fairmont Ghia missed out on very little as far as Falcons went. Receiving the Fairmont's speed sensitive variable assist power steering, the EL Fairmont Ghia also gained an updated interior featuring extra wood grain and those sumptuous chrome sculptured door handles. Seldom has any one feature made such an improvement! While the EF Fairmont Ghia was a car to lust after, the EL version manages to improve on the formula and must take second row in later years only to Tickford's XR versions. A hell of a lot easier to insure too! About the only down side to the EL Fairmont Ghia was that it was no longer available in wagon form - doh!

The Fairmont Ghia contains all of the Fairmont's options plus:

MECHANICAL:

Tickford Enhanced XR6 4.0 litre SOHC straight six producing 162kW.
Limited Slip Differential.
Speed sensitive variable assistance power steering.
Unique Fairmont Ghia 15" x 7" 8 spoke alloy wheels.
Chrome Exhaust Tip.

INTERIOR:

Passenger Air bag standard.

Leather wrapped steering wheel.

Floor mounted leather wrapped hand brake handle with chrome button.

Luxury seats trimmed in leather.

Wood grain door / consol applique.

Chrome interior door handles.

Ghia badges on the front door trims.

AUDIO SYSTEM:

Premium 250 watt sound system with 9 individual speaker elements and digital sound processing.
Boot mounted 6 disc cartridge CD player.

APPEARANCE ITEMS:

Ghia badging on the boot lid and front guards.
Chrome boot lid applique with 'F' crest.
Styled body side pin striping.
Unique luxury series grill (shared with Fairmont) in 'graphite' with body colour grill bar.
CHANGES TO EL FROM EF:
Chrome grill surround (body coloured in EF Fairmont).
New grill styling for EL.
New EL 'Ghia' badging font.
Different tail lights to Futura / GLi / XR.
Speed sensitive variable power steering.
New interior colours and patterns.
Seat belts and dash controls (including radio buttons) colour matched to interior.
New gauge fonts & colours.
New exterior paint colour choices.
5mm thick side glass for better sound absorption.
'Smart Glass' in the sides & rear for UPF 15+ sun protection.

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Full Specification Listing:

INDEX:

Engine.
Security.
Battery.
Interior.
Gearbox.
Trim.
Brakes.
Seating.
Suspension.
Lighting.
Steering.
Gauges & Dash controls.
Wheels & Tyres.

Audio System.
Safety Items.
Convenience.
Glass / Visual Equipment
Comfort.
Cargo Area.
Towing.
Dimensions & Capacities.
Identification.
Exterior
Lights.
Fuel Economy.

Please Note: All items listed in italics are changed compared to the EF Futura.

Engine:

(back to index)

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

162kW @ 4900 rpm.
361Nm @ 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.
Tickford specified alloy cylinder head.
Cast iron block.
8 counterweighted crankshaft.
Alloy rocker cover - powder coated red.
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 not available in Fairmont Ghia.

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.

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 leather wrapped hand brake handle with chrome button (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.
Live axil.
XR6 rear axil ratio - 3.45:1
Limited Slip differential standard.
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.

Options:

Tickford fitted sports suspension.

Steering: (back to index)

Speed sensitive variable power assist rack & pinion.
Leather wrapped steering wheel.
Adjustable rake and reach steering column.
Cruise control (via steering wheel mounted ON/OFF, RESUME and +/- buttons).
Minimum turning circle - 10.9 metres diameter.

Wheels & Tyres: (back to index)

15" x 7.0" 8 spoke unique Fairmont Ghia alloy wheels.
P205/65 HR15 steel belt radial ply tyres standard.
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 and Passenger's Air Bag standard.
Front and rear seat head rests.
Standardised child seat anchorage bolts in parcel shelf.
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.
Colour keyed seat belts.
Child proof rear door locks.
Plastic fuel tank - 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.

Although this image is of a EL GLi, it adequately demonstrates the safety features included in the Fairmont Ghia.

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

Electric windows fitted into all four doors.
Window controls for all four windows located in front centre consol along with central locking button.
Rear window secondary controls located in rear door trims.
Front drivers side power window 'Auto' down feature.
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.
Twin dual jet windscreen washers.
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.
Driver and passenger illuminated vanity mirrors.
5mm side glass (replacing 3mm in EF) for added wind noise suppression and a security increase.
Optional Rear Sunshade - made from dark grey translucent acrylic.
Optional front exterior sun visor.
Optional rear window louvre.
Optional clear wind deflector for front windows.

Identification: (back to index)

'Graphite' coloured luxury series grill with body coloured centre grill bar and chrome grill surround.
Ghia badging on the boot lid and front guards - new badge font used.
Chrome boot lid applique with 'F' crest.
Styled body side pin striping.
Body colour luxury series wide body side protection mouldings.
Body colour exterior rear view mirrors.
Body colour licence plate lamp.
Luxury series bonnet with raised centre section to suit Fairmont Ghia grill.
Unique 'EL' Ghia badge lettering style.

Exterior: (back to index)

Body coloured exterior door handles.
New exterior paint colour choices.
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.
Tail lights with clear indicator lenses (verses the Futura's amber coloured lenses).
High mounted stop light.

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 for doors, ignition and boot lid.
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.
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.
Colour keyed seat belts.
Front and Rear Door map pockets.
Wood grain door / consol applique.
Chrome interior door handles.
Ghia badges on the front door trims.

Seating:(back to index)

Luxury seats trimmed in leather.

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.

Optional drivers power adjustable seat.

Click on Image for Larger View

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.
Front & rear foot well lamps.
Ignition lock illumination.
Remote operated illuminated entry system.
Luggage compartment lamp.
Illuminated front cigar lighter and ashtray.
Illuminated lockable glove box.

Gauges & Dash controls:(back to index)

Two speed front windscreen wipers with road speed sensitive variable intermittent setting and demand wipe feature (one wipe at the flick of a finger).
Rear window demister with timed automatic switch off feature.
Colour keyed switches and buttons.
Remote fuel filler release.
Remote boot release.
Smart lock flashing symbol when ignition is turned off.
Service interval indicator.
Normal/Economy mode auto transmission indicator light.
Digital clock included in trip computer display.
Trip computer showing instantaneous L/100km, average L/100km, average km/h and fuel range based on your driving style.
Automatic climate control, hooked to the vehicle's air conditioning and heating systems. Just set the desired temperature and let the vehicle do the rest! Includes integrated CFC (chloroflouro carbons) free air conditioning and rear seat ducts...
Infinitely variable instrument panel illumination intensity (compared to the Futura's two step design).
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.
Windscreen washer fluid low warning light.
Low oil pressure & low fuel warning lights.

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.
Oil pressure gauge.
Battery voltage gauge.

Audible warning chimes:

Lights left on.
High engine temperature.
Turn signal.
Low oil pressure.
Low fuel.
Overspeed warning.

Audio System:(back to index)

Premium 250 watt sound system with 9 individual speaker elements and digital sound processing.
Sound system includes:

Auto reverse.
Music search.
Security code.
CD controls.
One hour keyless play.
Auto scan.
All switches / knobs colour keyed to dash.
Power antenna with half height function switch.

Mobile phone wiring built in, including automatic radio mute.
Boot mounted 6 disc cartridge CD player standard.

Interior Convenience:(back to index)

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

Comfort:(back to index)

Carpeted passenger compartment floor.
CFC free air conditioning standard.
Automatic Climate Control (See Gauges & Dash Controls).

Cargo Area:(back to index)
60/40 split fold rear seat back rest.
Carpeted luggage compartment floor.
Luggage capacity - 465 litres.
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.
Full inner boot lid trim.
Rear door map storage compartments.
Optional carry bars.
Optional boot liner.