Ford Falcon (XE)
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive |
| Founded | 1925 |
| Headquarters | Australia , Australia |
| Products | Automobiles, including Ford Falcon (XE) |
The Ford Falcon (XE) represents a full-size automobile manufactured by Ford Australia between 1982 and 1984. This model was the second release within the fourth generation of the Falcon lineup and also featured the Ford Fairmont (XE), which served as the upscale trim.
History
Introduced on 11 March 1982, the XE succeeded the XD Falcon with mostly subtle exterior modifications, including a redesigned front fascia, updated rear bumper and taillights, full wheel covers exclusive to the Fairmont, and 15-inch alloy wheels on the Fairmont Ghia. Significant mechanical revisions involved updated six-cylinder engines equipped with either two-stage carburetors or optional electronic fuel injection, the availability of a five-speed manual transmission featuring overdrive, and a newly engineered rear suspension system for sedans that incorporated progressive rate coil springs, four trailing arms, and Watt's linkage. Meanwhile, wagons, utilities, and vans retained the XD’s semi-elliptical leaf spring setup. It is important to note that V8 engine options were discontinued during the XE’s production run and did not reappear until the 1991 EB Falcon.
Powertrains
At launch, the XE series offered four engine variants:
- inline six-cylinder
- inline six-cylinder
- V8
- V8
Alloy Head II engines
Building on the alloy-headed six-cylinder engines introduced with the XD model, the XE featured further improvements branded as Alloy Head II. These engines utilized a twin-venturi Weber 34 ADM carburetor to enhance performance and incorporated a viscous clutch fan designed to decrease power loss.
Relative to the XD Falcon, power outputs measured in DIN increased from to for the base 3.3-litre engine and from to for the high-compression 4.1-litre version.
Fuel economy was also enhanced. The 3.3-litre models offered an optional five-speed manual gearbox. According to Ford’s AS 2077 testing, fuel consumption for the five-speed manual XE sedan was rated at on highways and in urban conditions, compared with and respectively for the XD’s four-speed manual. For the widely preferred 4.1-litre engine paired with a three-speed automatic transmission, highway fuel efficiency improved from to , while urban consumption dropped from to L/100 km.
The 3.3-litre engine accounted for more than 18% of XE Falcon passenger car production and represented 37% of commercial vehicle output, with most remaining units powered by the 4.1-litre option.
Termination of local V8 manufacturing
Over the preceding decade, demand for V8-powered Falcons had diminished considerably. While V8 engines were installed in approximately 30% of XA Falcons, only about 5% of the total 66,849 XE units produced in 1982 featured V8 powertrains.
In response to this trend, Ford ended domestic production of the Australian-built 'Cleveland' V8 and transitioned its Falcon range exclusively to six-cylinder engines. On 25 November 1982, a silver Ford Fairmont Ghia ESP sedan was adorned with a commemorative plaque marking fifty years since Ford first introduced V8-powered passenger cars in Australia.
Looking back, Ford discontinued V8 production just as fuel prices—after surging during the 1979 oil crisis—were beginning to decline. Industry commentators suggest this move effectively conceded the local performance segment to competitor Holden, which continued offering vehicles equipped with V8 engines.
EFI option introduction
In February 1983, Ford launched a 4.1-litre engine equipped with Bosch Jetronic LE electronic fuel injection (EFI). This engine was designed to succeed the phased-out V8 and initially delivered lower output figures of and compared to the V8’s and .
Ford promoted the EFI powertrain for its notable torque and improved fuel economy, asserting it offered "almost identical performance to the 4.9 litre V8 while significantly reducing fuel consumption." Marketing materials highlighted that the long-wheelbase Fairlane with EFI accelerated to only 0.1 seconds slower than the 4.9 L version when carrying five passengers and towing a trailer. Fuel consumption was reported as in urban driving for the Fairlane EFI, compared to for the larger V8 model.
Transmission options
Available manual gearboxes included a 3-speed column shift, a 4-speed floor shift, and a newly introduced 5-speed floor shift. Automatic transmissions came as either a 3-speed floor-shift for five-seat configurations or a column-shift for six-seat variants. Despite higher costs, automatic transmissions were more frequently chosen on GL and lower-spec models.
Model lineup
The XE series comprised nine distinct variants:
- Falcon utility
- Falcon van
- Falcon GL ute
- Falcon GL van
- Falcon GL sedan
- Falcon GL wagon
- Fairmont sedan
- Fairmont wagon
- Fairmont Ghia sedan
Ford set the Fairmont Ghia sedan apart through exclusive front-end styling that featured broader headlamps and integrated driving lamps. The S-Pack was offered on Falcon GL sedans, wagons, utes, and vans (all badged as Falcon S), while the European Sports Pack (ESP) continued to be available on the Fairmont Ghia sedan.
Special editions included the GL-based Falcon X-Pack sedan and wagon released in late 1982, the Fairmont Ghia Limited Edition sedan from late 1983, and the GL-derived Falcon Eclipse sedan and wagon introduced in early 1984.
European Sports Pack (ESP)
The XE Fairmont Ghia ESP (option code 54) was an optional upgrade chosen by buyers that varied in trim levels, styling details, and engine options: either two-tone paint with Charcoal accents or standard Ghia colors; Scheel front bucket seats or regular Ghia seating; engine choices of either or Cleveland V8s; or a EFI Crossflow six-cylinder; paired with either a 3-speed C4 automatic or a 4-speed manual transmission. Because many ESP Ghias closely resemble standard Fairmont Ghias externally, confirmation often requires consulting Ford Australia production records. Standard equipment on ESP models included a limited-slip differential (LSD) and rear disc brakes.
In 1982, all XE ESP models featured two-tone paint with orange body mouldings and Scheel seats in Gun Metal Grey or Sierra Tan interiors, complemented by gold snowflake wheels. Total production of V8 XE ESPs reached 538 units; six-cylinder versions are believed to number fewer than 200. The V8 production breakdown was: 351 cuin manual - 178 units; 302 cuin manual - 100 units; and 302 cuin automatic - 260 units.
The name European Sports Pack was adopted after Ford discontinued the GT badge due to insurance concerns. Effectively, the XE ESP V8 Falcons carried forward the GT heritage. Following the Cleveland V8’s discontinuation in 1982, Ford produced single-tone six-cylinder EFI XE ESP models during 1983/84 featuring similar exterior styling, Gunmetal interiors, Scheel seats, and gold snowflake wheels—now regarded as highly collectible muscle cars from the 1980s.
Dick Johnson Grand Prix Edition
Before the introduction of Group A rules, the Dick Johnson Grand Prix Edition was offered as a V8 alternative. This model was equipped with a six-cylinder crossflow engine featuring a carburettor and turbocharger. Only 43 examples were distributed through Country Dealer Teams. Although designed for racing homologation purposes, this limited-edition Falcon never participated in competitive events.
XE Phase 6
Wayne Draper, the creative mind behind the XD and XE Falcons and founder of HO Phase Autos, engineered the Series 1 XE Phase 6 to comply with CAMS racing standards. To satisfy drag regulations, the original rear wing was substituted with the DJR Team Penske rear air dam.
The Series 2 XE Phase 6 introduced aesthetic enhancements, such as updated mirrors and door trims sourced from the later XF Falcon model.
Market and reception
The XE Falcon, along with its ZK Fairlane and FD LTD counterparts, was the first to earn the distinguished Australian Design Award. As fuel shortages diminished, Australian buyers gravitated away from smaller Holden Commodores and four-cylinder vehicles, returning to the traditional full-size Falcon. In 1982, for the first time in more than ten years, Falcon sales outpaced Holden’s annual figures, maintaining its position as Australia’s best-selling automobile until 1988.
Total production numbered 193,890 units before the XE model was succeeded by the XF Falcon in October 1984.
Motorsport
In the 1984 Australian Touring Car Championship, Dick Johnson claimed victory driving a Group C-specification XE Falcon sedan powered by a 351 cubic inch engine. Nicknamed "Greens Tuf" for its distinctive green livery and sponsorship by Palmer Tube Mills, this final iteration delivered 480 horsepower. The car was retired following the conclusion of Group C competition in 1984 and is currently preserved within the David Bowden collection.
Sydney racer Steve Masterton also achieved success behind the wheel of an XE Falcon by winning the 1984 Amaroo Park AMSCAR Series.