EL Falcon - XR6 & XR8 specs:

INDEX:

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

Summary:
New suspension settings - making this the best handling Falcon do date short of the EL GT.  With new rear suspension geometry and revised spring rates, it was no wonder even the press marvelled at it's new found stability.  Not that the EF XR was a bad car - but if a standard GLi could comfortably out handle the IRS Commodore, how much more capably would the XR do the job?   Unfortunately the EL also spelt the death of the short lived XR6 wagon - a decision that would be lamented even to this day.  While the EF XR wheels were an especially attractive item even in the factory fitted 15" form, the same could not be said for the new 6 spoke alloys fitted to EL XRs - which made a new record as the ugliest alloy 'hub cap imitation' wheel yet.  - The sort of thing you'd expect to see fitted to the latest 'Sapphire' value pack - not the gun model Falcon!

Similiarily, the new nose treatment didn't suit everybody - especially those who had grown to love the pure recessed headlight look of the ED & EF XR's.  Yet once the EL grill and headlight surround grew on you - there was no going back.  I still remember one magazine likening the look to a helmeted race car driver with his nostrils flared wide!  Although you'd have to see it to believe it, the similiarities were frightening.  Like all new vehicles, this one took a while to grow on you - although fortunately not as long as the AU.  Initially the XR6 was the pick of the breed with far better handling and accelaration than it's heavier and underpowered brother (170kW XR8) although the issue was eventually solved giving the XR8 a much needed boost half way through the EL product cycle with the AU 185kW engine upgrade brought forward - a decision made as Tickford desperately sought to more effectively combat the VT's 179kW 5.0 litre V8 and finally out muscle the XR6's handling and weight benefits.

MECHANICAL:

• Tickford Enhanced XR6 high performance 4.0 litre SOHC straight six producing 164kW.
• Tickford Enhanced XR8 high performance 5.0 litre OHV V8 producing 170kW but upgraded to 185kW toward the end of the model.
• Unique 'performance' exhaust system fitted to each (I6 and V8).
• Five speed manual gearbox standard.
• Four speed electronically controlled automatic gearbox optional.
• Specially tuned XR sports suspension.
• Limited Slip Differential.
• Unique XR 15" x 7.0" 6 spoke alloy wheels.
• Chrome Exhaust Tip.
• Dual horns.
• Tickford fitted LPG option not available.

INTERIOR:

• 'Charcoal' leather wrapped steering wheel.
• Low Oil Pressure warning light on dash and audible chime.
• Washer fluid low warning light on dash.
• Oil pressure guage.
• Battery voltage guage.
• Seats trimmed in 'Sabre' cloth trim with co-ordinating 'Pitstop' cloth bolster.
• Front and rear seat 'sports' see-through style head rests.
• Doors trimmed in vynal with 'Pitstop' cloth covered insert.

AUDIO SYSTEM:

• Electronic tuning 60 watt (compared to Futura's 40 watt) AM/FM stereo radio/cassette.

APPEARANCE ITEMS:

• XR6/8 badging on the boot lid and front guards.
• Tickford 'wings' on front guards.
• Unique lower bumper featuring brake cooling air intakes.
• Different colour body side protection moulds & bumper inserts, black or red depending on body colour chosen.
• Unique quad round headlamps featuring projector technology for outside set.
• Unique grill and headlight surrounds.
• Unique XR bonnet with recessed bonnet vents.
• Unique XR raised boot lid spoiler with center support and built in strip LED high mount stop light.

CHANGES TO EL FROM EF:

• A new exhaust system fitted to the XR8 featuring dual pipes from front to rear and chromed dual outlets - raising power from 169.5kW in EF to 170kW for EL series 1.
• New lower control arm bushes for improved handling and ride.
• New air intake for engine (as per the entire EL Falcon range).
• New rear spoiler styling.
• New body kit styling (includes side skirts, front & rear bumper extensions).
• New 'sculptured' grill styling for EL.
• New bonnet vent design.
• New EL 'Falcon' & 'XR' badge fonts.
• Reduced power steering assistance (vs. EF) for better stability.
• New interior colours and patterns.
• New tail lights with amber turning indicator lense replacing clear EF lense.
• Seat belts and dash controls (including radio buttons) colour matched to interior.
• New guage fonts & colours.
• New exterior paint colour choices.
• 5mm thick side glass for better sound absorbtion.
• 'Smart Glass' in the sides & rear for UPF 15+ sun protection.

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


Engine:(back to index)
XR6:
Tickford Enhanced 4.0 litre SOHC (single over head cam) inline 6 cylinder featuring:

• 164kW @ 5000 rpm.
• 366Nm @ 3150 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 - powdercoated red with Ford / Tickford badge attached at front.
• Laminated pressed steel sump.
• Dual resonance intake manifold.
• Serpentine accessory drive belt for quietness & reliability.
• New intake ducting for EL.

XR8:
5.0 litre OHV (over head valve) V8.

• 170kw @ 4500 rpm. (Updated version: 185kW @ rpm.)
• 398Nm @ 3000 rpm. (Updated version: Nm @ 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 Options:

• Tickford Fitted LPG not available in XR6 or XR8.


Battery:(back to index)

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


Gearbox:(back to index)

• 5 speed manual standard (Hallaluhyah!).
• 4 speed auto optional.

Including:
• Electronically controlled.
• Lock up torque converter.
• Power & Economy modes.
• Normal/Economy mode auto transmission indicator light on dashboard.
• Overdrive 4th gear.


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 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)
OVERALL: Tickford fitted and developed (in consultation with ex DJR racing driver John Bowe) XR sports suspension package.
Front.

• Short / Long Arm, Long Spindle (SLALS).
• Single rate coil springs.
• Twin tube telescopic shock absorbers with "coil over" spring / shock absorber mounting design.
• Stabiliser bar.
• New stabilizer bar insulation bushes.

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.
• Upper control arms longer than EF & manufactured out of square section tube.
• Revised mounting brackets on rear axil for improved axle path on bounce and rebound.


Steering:(back to index)

• Reduced power steering assistance (vs. EF) for better stability.
• 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" 6 spoke unique XR6/8 alloy wheels.
• P205/65 HR15 steel belt radial ply sports tyres standard.
• Optional 16" Tickford 5-spoke alloy wheels with unidirectional Yokohama P225/50 VR16 tyres.
• Optional 16" closed face alloy wheels with unidirectional Yokohama P225/50 Z16 tyres.


Safety Items:(back to index)

• Driver's Air Bag standard.
• Optional Passenger's Air Bag.
• Front and rear seat head rests.
• Standardised child seat anchorage bolts in parcel shelf.
• Front Intertia reel seat belts with "belt lockers" to minimise payout of set belt webbing in extreme conditions.
• Adjustable B pilliar (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 XR6 & XR8 high performance sedans.


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

• Electric windows fitted to front doors only.
• Window controls for front windows located in centre consol.
>li>Central locking button located on dashboard.
• Manual window winders on rear doors.
• 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 sunvisor.
• Optional rear window louvre.
• Optional clear wind deflector for front windows.


Identification:(back to index)

• Unique EL XR head light surround combined with grill.
• EF XR lower bumper section with inbuilt brake air ducts (body coloured).
• XR6 or XR8 badging on the boot lid and front guards - new badge font used.
• Tickford wings on the boot lid and front guards.
• Black or Red (depending on body colour) body side protection mouldings and bumper protection strips.
• Body colour exterior rear view mirrors.
• Body colour licence plate lamp.
• Unique XR bonnet featuring recessed styled bonnet vents.


Exterior:(back to index)

• Body coloured exterior door handles.
• Body coloured front & rear bumpers.
• Optional form fitted front and rear mudflaps.
• Optional bonnet and headlight stone guards.


Lights:(back to index)

• Unique XR quad round halogen headlamps with 'projector' outside pair technology.
• Tail lights with amber indicatior lenses (verses the EF's clear non 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 bootlid.
• 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 door map pockets.
• XR6 / XR8 glove box applique.
• Mako grey interior theme (plastics).
• Doors trimmed in vynal with 'Pitstop' cloth covered insert.


Seating:(back to index)

• Seats trimmed in 'Sabre' cloth trim with co-ordinating 'Pitstop' cloth bolster.
• Front and rear seat 'sports' see-through style 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.

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.
• Ignition lock illumination.
• Remote operated illuminated entry system.
• Luggage compartment lamp.
• Illuminated lockable glovebox.

Guages & 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.
• Two setting instrument panel illumination intesity.
• 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.
• Guages:
• Guage 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 guage.
• Battery voltage guage.
• Audible warning chimes:
• Lights left on.
• High engine temperature.
• Turn signal.
• Low oil pressure.
• Low fuel.

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.
• Center consol with large storage compartment, centre arm rest and integrated cup holder.
• Front Door map pocket.
• Integrated grab handles and coat hooks in ceiling.


Comfort:(back to index)

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


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.
• Optional carry bars.
• Optional boot liner.


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'.
• Supplimentary transmission cooler.

Dimensions & Capacities not yet listed:(back to index)
Exterior (mm):


Dimension: Overall length Overall height Overall width Wheelbase Front Track Rear Track Front Overhang Rear Overhang Interior (mm): Front Headroom Front Legroom Front Shoulder Room Front Hip Room Rear Headroom Rear Legroom Rear Shoulder Room General specs: Kerb weight (kg) Fuel Capacity (litres)

4906 1445 1861 2791 1566 1547 919 1196   974 1081 1518 1495 974 992 1512     68


Fuel Economy (factory figures in litres/100km when new):(back to index)

• Sorry - no economy figures available at this moment.

Other items:

• 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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