Chronology
Previous model: EF Falcon
Next model: AU Falcon
Date of Introduction
The EL Falcon was introduced in October 1996
Replaced September 1998. The EL Falcon was on sale for about 23 months
Model Line Up
EL Falcon Gli Sedan
Falcon Gli Wagon
Falcon Futura Sedan
Futura Wagon
Falcon XR6 Sedan
Falcon XR8 Sedan
Fairmont Sedan
Fairmont Wagon
Fairmont Ghia Sedan
Prices at Time of Introduction
EL Falcon Gli 4.0L Sedan: $30 304
Falcon Gli 5.0L Sedan: $33 311
Futura 4.0L Sedan: $33 058
Falcon Futura 5.0L Sedan: $36 065
Fairmont 4.0L Sedan: $39 152
Falcon Fairmont 5.0L Sedan: $42 159
Fairmont Ghia 4.0L Sedan: $46 921
Fairmont Ghia 5.0L Sedan: $49 082
Gli 4.0L Wagon: $32 177
Falcon Gli 5.0L Wagon: $35 184
Falcon Futura 4.0L Wagon: $34 862
Fairmont 4.0L Wagon: $41 847
XR6 Sedan: $39 152
XR8: $41 313
Falcon S Sedan: $29 950
Total Number Built
133 461
Identification Information
Similar shape to previous model, with new oval shaped grille with badge in the centre, amber rear tail light indicators for sedan models and bonnet bulge.
Engines
4.0L
Type: Overhead camshaft, 2 valves per cylinder, inline
Configuration: Front mounted longitudinal, inline
Head: Crossflow, aluminium
Number of cylinders: Six
Capacity: 4.0 litres
Bore and stroke: 92 x 99 mm
Power: 157kW at 4900rpm
Torque: 357Nm at 3000rpm
Compression ratio: 9.3:1
Fuel system: EEC V fuel injection
4.0L (Fairmont Ghia)
Type: Overhead camshaft, 2 valves per cylinder, inline
Configuration: Front mounted longitudinal, inline
Head: Crossflow, aluminium
Number of cylinders: Six
Capacity: 4.0 litres
Bore and stroke: 93 x 99 mm
Power: 162kW at 4900rpm
Torque: 361Nm at 3000rpm
Compression ratio: 9.3:1
Fuel system: EEC V fuel injection
4.0L (XR6)
Type: Overhead camshaft, 2 valves per cylinder, inline
Configuration: Front mounted longitudinal, inline
Head: Crossflow, aluminium
Number of cylinders: Six
Capacity: 4.0 litres
Bore and stroke: 93 x 99 mm
Power: 164kW at 5000rpm
Torque: 366Nm at 3000rpm
Compression ratio: 9.3:1
Fuel system: EEC V fuel injection
5.0
Type:
Pushrod overhead valve, 2 valves per cylinder, vee configuration
Configuration: Front mounted longitudinal, inline
Head: Cast iron
Number of cylinders: Eight
Capacity: 5.0 litres
Bore and stroke: 102 x 76 mm
Power: 165kW at 4500rpm
Torque: 388Nm at 3000rpm
Compression ratio: 9.0:1
Fuel system: EEC V fuel injection
5.0 (XR8, up to October 1997)
Type: Pushrod overhead valve, 2 valves per cylinder, vee configuration
Configuration: Front mounted longitudinal, inline
Head: Cast iron
Number of cylinders: Eight
Capacity: 5.0 litres
Bore and stroke: 102 x 76 mm
Power: 170kW at 4500rpm
Torque: 398Nm at 3000rpm
Compression ratio: 9.0:1
Fuel system: EEC V fuel injection
Transmission
Manual
Type: Five-speed manual BTRT5 (six cylinder)
1st: 3.25:1
2nd: 1.99:1
3rd: 1.29:1
4th: 1.00:1
5th: 0.72:1
Reverse: 3.15:1
Type: Five-speed manual BTRT5 (V8)
1st: 2.95:1
2nd: 1.94:1
3rd: 1.34:1
4th: 1.00:1
5th: 0.73:1
Reverse: 2.76:1
Automatic
Type: Four-speed automatic BTR95LE
1st: 2.39:1
2nd: 1.45:1
3rd: 1.00:1
4th: 0.68:1
Reverse: 2.09:1
Rear Axle Ratio
4.0L Sedan: 3.08:1
XR6: 3.45:1
All others: 3.23:1
Clutch
Single dry plate.
Chassis
Unitary construction (Monocoque)
Exhaust
Six Cylinder: Three muffler system with incorporating a three way catalytic converter
V8: Twin Pipe
XR6: Single pipe low back pressure
XR8: Split branch system with low back pressure
Suspension
Front: Short and long arm, long spindle with single rate coil springs, twin tube telescopic shock absorbers mounted coaxially within the coil spring, stabiliser bar.
Heavy duty suspension: Heavy duty springs and heavy duty shock absorbers.
XR6, XR8: 66N/mm springs, 30mm diameter Monroe gas shock absorbers, 2 piece progressive rate rubber tension/tie bar bushes with metal collar, lower control arm inner bushes with unique durometer rubber to give consistent tyre/patch road contact.
Rear (with axle type):
Sedan: Live axle, four trailing arms with Watts linkage, twin tube telescopic shock absorbers, single rate coil springs and stabiliser bar;
Wagon: Live axle with leaf springs, twin tube telescopic shock absorbers, increased ride height
XR6, XR8: 30mm diameter Monroe gas shock absorbers, upper longitudinal links differently angled design with higher front pivots, stabiliser bar, urethane/rubber drop link bushes replace rubber
Steering
Power assisted rack and pinion
Brakes
Front: Power assisted 287mm ventilated discs, anti-lock braking standard, Bosch ABS 5.3 system (GLi optional)
Rear: Power assisted 299mm discs, anti-lock braking standard, Bosch ABS 5.3 system (GLi optional)
Electrical
12 volt, electronic ignition with EEC-V engine management system
Wheels
Falcon GLi, Futura: 15 x 6 inch steel, 15 inch alloy optional
Falcon XR6, XR8: 15 x 7 inch 6 spoke alloy
Fairmont: 15 x 7 inch 12 spoke alloy
Fairmont Ghia: 15 x 7 inch 8 spoke alloy
Optional on all models: 16 x 7 inch alloy
Tyres
Falcon GLi, Futura, Fairmont & Fairmont Ghia: P205/65 HR15 steel belt radial ply,
Falcon XR6, XR8: P205/65 HR15 steel belt radial ply sports tyres.
Optional on all models: Yokohama P225/50 VR16
Exterior Dimensions (Sedan)
Wheelbase: 2791mm
Length: 4906mm
Width: 1861mm
Height: 1453mm
Front Track: 1566mm
Rear Track: 1547mm
Kerb Weight: 1536kg
Turning Circle: 10.9m
Fuel Tank: 68 Litres
Boot Capacity: 465 Litres
Exterior Dimensions (Wagon)
Wheelbase: 2923mm
Length: 5042mm
Width: 1856mm
Height: 1529mm
Front Track: 1566mm
Rear Track: 1547mm
Kerb Weight: 1536kg
Turning Circle: 11.3m
Fuel Tank: 72 Litres
Boot Capacity: 1473 Litres
Interior Dimensions (Sedan)
Front Headroom: 974mm
Rear Headroom: 975mm
Front Shoulder Room: 1518mm
Rear Shoulder Room: 1512mm
Front Hip Room: 1495mm
Rear Hip Room: 1495mm
Front Legroom: 1081mm
Rear Legroom: 992mm
Interior Dimensions (Wagon)
Front Headroom: 983mm
Rear Headroom: 1039mm
Front Shoulder Room: 1518mm
Rear Shoulder Room: 1512mm
Front Hip Room: 1495mm
Rear Hip Room: 1495mm
Front Legroom: 1081mm
Rear Legroom: 992mm