Ford Falcon (EA)

Ford Falcon (EA)
Ford Falcon (EA II) GL sedan
Overview
Manufacturer	Ford Australia
Also called	Ford Fairmont (EA)
Production	March 1988 – July 1991
Body and chassis
Class	Full-size
Body style	4-door sedan 5-door station wagon
Related	Ford Fairlane (NA) Ford LTD (DA)
Powertrain
Engine	3.2 L Ford I6 (petrol) 3.9 L Ford I6 (petrol)
Transmission	3-speed M51 automatic 4-speed M85LE automatic 5-speed BorgWarner T50D manual
Dimensions
Length	Sedan: 4,811 mm (189.4 in) Wagon: 5,003 mm (197.0 in)
Width	1,857 mm (73.1 in)
Height	Sedan: 1,399 mm (55.1 in) Wagon: 1,483 mm (58.4 in)
Curb weight	Sedan: 1,418 kg (3,126.2 lb) Wagon: 1,508 kg (3,324.6 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor	Ford Falcon (XF)
Successor	Ford Falcon (EB)

The Ford Falcon (EA) is a full-size car that was produced by Ford Australia from 1988 to 1991. It was the first iteration of the fifth generation of this Australian-made model and also included the Ford Fairmont (EA)—the luxury-oriented version of the Falcon.

The result of a A$700 million development program, the EA Falcon bore a passing resemblance to the European Ford Scorpio. However under the skin, it remained an entirely Australian design, and is credited as the first Falcon model to employ wind tunnel testing. Developed under the codename EA26 (E for the large size, A for Australia, 26 for the (usually in sequence) global project number), it would retain the traditional Falcon hallmarks of width and rear-wheel drive. This proved to be the correct move as sales of the Falcon began to climb after the fuel crisis aftermath, while those of the rival Holden Commodore slipped. It became clear that Australian buying patterns had not truly changed and what the public wanted was a full-size (albeit smaller) family car.

In addition, Ford's dominance of the taxi market in Australia meant that a car that could comfortably seat three along the back seat—and even the front, with a bench seat installed—was necessary. It also ensured that Ford could retain, at least until Holden released the new Statesman/Caprice in 1990, the market for official cars for governmental use.

While initially popular, the EA's build quality was uncompetitive with uneven panel shutlines, computer problems, poor paint quality and front suspension alignment problems.

A centre high-mount stop light (CHMSL) was added late in Series I production as it was mandated by 1 July 1989.

The EA series brought new engines to the Ford Falcon along with across the board fuel injection, overhead camshaft cylinder head, inclined valve alloy heads and a low profile intake manifold lowering the engine height. The capacity was decreased from the previous XF which was 4.1 litres and an overhead valve (OHV) design. All EA series engines utilised the corporate Ford EEC-IV engine management system.

Engine choice initially comprised three straight-six units starting with the base 3.2-litre EFI which utilised a throttle body injection (TBI) or central fuel injection (CFI) induction to give 90 kW (120 hp) at 4000 rpm and 235 N·m (173 lb·ft) at 3250 rpm. This engine was standard on GL models although very few were sold and many owners of the 3.2-litre found lacklustre torque and the resultant driving behaviour caused increased fuel consumption versus the 3.9. Ford discontinued the engine circa December 1988.