XG Falcon ute

A reworked grille and front bumper bar denotes the XG utes and vans.

Ford had depleted its supply of the old 4.1L OHV engine, so it engineered the old XD platform to accept the then current EB Falcon passenger car series’ 148kW/348Nm 4.0L six-cylinder engine, and five-speed manual/optional four-speed auto transmissions.

The result was a smoother, quieter, better performing package. But the suspension and chassis remained the same. Ute payload rose to 820kg, the vans’ to 780kg.

Inside, much of the trim was pure EB, although the dash’s basic architecture betrayed its XF origins.

Inexplicably, Ford also tagged on the “Longreach” badge (the original 1920s QLD hometown of QANTAS airlines).

The GLi was the new base model, featuring power power steering and a radio/cassette player, while the S added fancy stripes and sports wheels.

Ford also launched the successful XR6 ute, powered by a Tickford-enhanced 161kW/365Nm version of the 4.0L engine. Its payload was reduced to 560kg.

In mid-'95 the Outback model was introduced, sporting extra ground clearance, a long-range fuel tank and a limited slip diff. Anti-lock brakes became an option.

Despite all these changes, the much newer Holden Commodore utility outclassed the Falcon in sales and on the road.

Special editions:· Dec 95 – Tradesman: air-conditioning, rear tray bedliner.