Powertrains
XF models were available with a choice of 3.3 or 4.1-litre engine six-cylinder engines.[5] The 4.1-litre unit was standard on Fairmont models and the S-Pack.[6]
Power and torque outputs for the carburetted 3.3 and 4.1 litre engines saw little or no change from the preceding XE series; engineering revisions were aimed at improving fuel economy and driveability.[7] The 3.3 litre engine's maximum power and torque outputs remained at 90 kW and 240 Nm. Maximum power for the 4.1 litre engine decreased slightly from 105 to 103 kW, while torque increased from 310 to 316 Nm[8][7]
The optional 4.1 litre EFI engine underwent a significant upgrade for the XF series, with a switch from Bosch Jetronic LE to Ford's EEC IV electronic fuel injection system. Maximum power output increased from 111 kW to 120 kW, and maximum torque increased from 325 Nm to 333 Nm.[3] An XF Falcon S-Pack equipped with the EFI engine and four-speed manual transmission tested by Wheels magazine in 1984 accelerated from 0 to 100 km/h in 9.3 seconds, ran the standing 400 m in 16.4 seconds, and ran to its 4500 rpm redline in fourth gear for a top speed of 190 km/h.[7] These performance metrics were only marginally behind the respective 8.9 seconds, 16.3 seconds and 194 km/h recorded for a 1982 XE Fairmont Ghia ESP equipped with a 5.8 litre V8 and four-speed manual transmission.[9]
From 1 January 1986, Australian Design Rule 37 came into effect, requiring all new cars to be equipped for operation with unleaded petrol.[10] ADR 37 specified emissions standards that Ford met by the fitting the Falcon with a catalytic converter, and Falcon engines were modified for running on regular grade 91 RON unleaded fuel. Power and torque outputs for the carburetted engines fell slightly; the 3.3 now produced a maximum 88 kW and 235 Nm, and the 4.1 produced a maximum 97.5 kW and 316 Nm. Conversely, maximum power output from the 4.1 EFI engine increased slightly to 121 kW, although torque fell to 325 Nm.[3]
Transmissions available were 3 speed column shift, four- or five-speed manual floor shift, or the much more popular three-speed automatic with the selector lever located either on the floor or the column in cars that seat six. In three-seat utilities and vans, the three-speed manual on the column was standard.
In October 1986 a further update was released, which saw power steering and four-wheel disc brakes become standard across the XF passenger car range, and the four-speed manual replaced the three-speed as the standard transmission on the Falcon GL sedan and station wagon.[11] At this time, the availability of the five-speed manual transmission, previously only available with the 3.3 litre engine, was extended to both carburetted and fuel-injected 4.1 litre engines.[5] Equipped with a 4.1 litre engine and five-speed transmission, the Falcon GL sedan's fuel economy was quoted as 11.5 l/100km city cycle and 8 l/100km highway cycle.[5]
With the replacement of the XF Falcon passenger car range with the EA model in March 1988, the powertrain options for the remaining XF Falcon utility and panel van range were rationalised to the carburetted 4.1 litre as the only available engine, with a choice of three-speed manual, five-speed manual, or three-speed automatic transmissions.[12]
