Key Specifications

Spec	Value
Production Years	1988-2002
Manufacturer	Ford Motor Company of Australia
Assembly	Broadmeadows, Victoria, Australia
Body Styles	4-door sedan, 5-door wagon (EA-AU), 2-door ute (XG/XH/AU)
Layout	Front engine, rear-wheel drive
Wheelbase	2,770 mm (EA-EL sedan), 2,830 mm (AU sedan)
Overall Length	4,830 mm (EA), 4,907 mm (AU sedan)
Overall Width	1,835 mm (EA-EL), 1,868 mm (AU)
Overall Height	1,447 mm (EA sedan), 1,468 mm (AU sedan)
Kerb Weight	1,410-1,560 kg (varies by model and specification)
Fuel Tank Capacity	68 L (sedan), 70 L (wagon/ute)
Boot Capacity	500 L (sedan)

Engine Specifications

EA 3.9L SOHC I6 (1988-1991)

Spec	Value
Configuration	Inline 6, SOHC, 12-valve
Displacement	3,947 cc
Bore x Stroke	92.0 mm x 99.0 mm
Compression Ratio	8.8:1 (EFI), 9.0:1 (MPFI)
Power	135 kW @ 5,000 rpm (EFI), 145 kW @ 5,250 rpm (MPFI)
Torque	320 Nm @ 3,500 rpm
Fuel System	Single-point EFI (early) / Multipoint injection (late)
Ignition	Distributor with TFI module

EB-ED 4.0L SOHC I6 (1991-1994)

Spec	Value
Configuration	Inline 6, SOHC, 12-valve
Displacement	4,016 cc
Bore x Stroke	92.0 mm x 100.6 mm
Compression Ratio	9.0:1
Power	152 kW @ 5,250 rpm
Torque	350 Nm @ 3,500 rpm
Fuel System	Sequential multipoint injection
Ignition	Distributor with TFI module

EF 4.0L SOHC I6 (1994-1996)

Spec	Value
Configuration	Inline 6, SOHC, 12-valve
Displacement	4,016 cc
Bore x Stroke	92.0 mm x 100.6 mm
Compression Ratio	9.0:1
Power	164 kW @ 5,250 rpm
Torque	360 Nm @ 3,500 rpm
Fuel System	Sequential multipoint injection
Ignition	Distributorless, waste-spark coil pack

EL 4.0L SOHC I6 (1996-1998)

Spec	Value
Configuration	Inline 6, SOHC, 12-valve
Displacement	4,016 cc
Bore x Stroke	92.0 mm x 100.6 mm
Compression Ratio	9.0:1
Power	164 kW @ 5,250 rpm (Futura/Fairmont)
Power (XR6)	172 kW @ 5,400 rpm
Torque	365 Nm @ 3,500 rpm
Fuel System	Sequential multipoint injection
Ignition	Distributorless, waste-spark coil pack

AU 4.0L Intech SOHC I6 (1998-2002)

Spec	Value
Configuration	Inline 6, SOHC, 12-valve, VCT
Displacement	3,984 cc
Bore x Stroke	92.0 mm x 99.8 mm
Compression Ratio	9.0:1
Power	157 kW @ 5,250 rpm (standard)
Power (XR6)	164 kW @ 5,250 rpm
Torque	362 Nm @ 3,000 rpm
Variable Cam Timing	Yes (intake)
Fuel System	Sequential multipoint injection
Ignition	Distributorless, waste-spark coil pack

AU 5.0L Windsor V8 (XR8, 1999-2002)

Spec	Value
Configuration	V8, OHV, 16-valve
Displacement	4,942 cc (5.0L) / 5,605 cc (5.6L, AU2 onwards)
Power	185 kW @ 4,500 rpm (5.0L) / 200 kW @ 4,250 rpm (5.6L)
Torque	412 Nm @ 2,500 rpm (5.0L) / 470 Nm @ 2,500 rpm (5.6L)
Fuel System	Sequential multipoint injection
Ignition	Distributorless

Transmission Options

Transmission	Type	Gears	Applications
Borg Warner/BTR 85LE	Automatic	4-speed	EA-ED
BTR 93/97LE	Automatic	4-speed	EF-AU
Borg Warner T5	Manual	5-speed	EA-AU (select models)

Suspension

EA-EL

Component	Front	Rear (Sedan)	Rear (Wagon/Ute)
Type	Independent, MacPherson strut	Independent, multi-link	Live axle
Springs	Coil	Coil	Coil (wagon) / Leaf (ute)
Dampers	Gas-pressurised telescopic	Gas-pressurised telescopic	Gas-pressurised telescopic
Anti-roll Bar	Yes	Yes (sedan)	No

AU

Component	Front	Rear (Sedan)	Rear (Ute)
Type	Independent, MacPherson strut	Independent, multi-link (revised)	Live axle
Springs	Coil	Coil	Leaf
Dampers	Gas-pressurised telescopic	Gas-pressurised telescopic	Gas-pressurised telescopic
Anti-roll Bar	Yes	Yes	No

Brakes

Component	Front	Rear
Type	Ventilated disc	Solid disc (EF onwards) / Drum (EA-ED base)
Diameter (base)	287 mm	270 mm
Diameter (XR6)	300 mm	287 mm
ABS	Optional (EA-ED), Standard (EF onwards)
Traction Control	Not available (EA-EL), Optional (AU)

Model Variants

EA (1988-1991)

Variant	Key Features
S	Base model, single-point EFI, cloth trim
Fairmont	Multipoint injection, alloy wheels, better trim
Fairmont Ghia	Top luxury, leather, trip computer
XR6	Sports suspension, body kit, enhanced engine

EB-ED (1991-1994)

Variant	Key Features
GLi	Base model, cloth trim, 15" steel wheels
Futura	Mid-range, alloy wheels, trip computer
Fairmont	Premium trim, leather option
Fairmont Ghia	Top luxury, full leather, climate control
XR6	Sports suspension, body kit, 16" alloys

EF-EL (1994-1998)

Variant	Key Features
GLi	Base model, cloth trim
Futura	Mid-range, alloy wheels, cruise control
Fairmont	Premium, leather, trip computer
Fairmont Ghia	Top luxury, full leather, climate control
XR6	Sports suspension, body kit, 16" alloys (EF), 17" (EL)
EL GT	Limited edition, enhanced engine, Bilstein suspension, body kit

AU (1998-2002)

Variant	Key Features
Forte	Base model, cloth trim, 15" steel wheels
Futura	Mid-range, 16" alloys, trip computer
Fairmont	Premium, leather, 16" alloys
Fairmont Ghia	Top luxury, full leather, climate control, 17" alloys
XR6	VCT engine (164 kW), sports suspension, body kit, 17" alloys
XR8	5.0L/5.6L V8, sports suspension, body kit, 17" alloys
Pursuit	Enhanced police-spec, available to public (AU2 onwards)

Performance (approximate, period road tests)

Model	0-100 km/h	Quarter Mile	Top Speed
EA Fairmont (auto)	9.5 s	~17.0 s	200 km/h
EB XR6 (manual)	7.8 s	~15.8 s	210 km/h
EF XR6 (manual)	7.5 s	~15.5 s	215 km/h
EL XR6 (manual)	7.2 s	~15.2 s	220 km/h
AU XR6 (manual)	7.3 s	~15.3 s	220 km/h
AU XR8 (auto)	6.8 s	~14.8 s	230 km/h

Fuel Economy (ADR combined cycle)

Model	L/100 km
EA S (auto)	12.5
EB GLi (auto)	11.8
EF Futura (auto)	11.2
EL Fairmont (auto)	10.9
AU Forte (auto)	10.8
AU XR6 (manual)	10.5
AU XR8 (auto)	13.5

Service Intervals

Service Item	Interval
Engine oil and filter	7,500 km or 6 months
Spark plugs	40,000 km
Distributor cap and rotor (EA-ED)	40,000 km
Automatic transmission fluid	40,000 km
Coolant	100,000 km or 4 years
Brake fluid	24 months
Timing chain	Not scheduled (inspect at 200,000 km)
Drive belt(s)	80,000 km or inspect annually

Engine Oil Specifications

Specification	Value
Recommended Grade	10W-40 mineral / 5W-30 semi-synthetic
Capacity (with filter)	5.0 L (I6), 5.5 L (V8)
API Rating	SG or higher

Tyre Specifications

Variant	Size
EA-ED base	195/70R14
EA-ED XR6	205/65R15
EF-EL base	205/65R15
EF-EL XR6	215/55R16 (EF), 215/50R17 (EL)
AU base	205/65R15
AU XR6	235/45R17
AU XR8	235/45R17

Injector Specifications

Model	Injector Size	Fuel Pressure
EA-ED	220 cc	270 kPa (39 psi)
EF-EL	220 cc	270 kPa (39 psi)
EF-EL XR6	220 cc	300 kPa (43 psi)
AU Intech	220 cc	300 kPa (43 psi)
Barra (upgrade)	290 cc	350 kPa (50 psi)

Production Numbers

Model	Approximate Total
EA (all variants)	~160,000
EB (all variants)	~140,000
ED (all variants)	~65,000
EF (all variants)	~130,000
EL (all variants)	~120,000
AU (all variants)	~180,000
XG/XH Ute/Van	~85,000