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Ford Falcon (XH)

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Ford Falcon (XH)
Ford Falcon (XH) Longreach GLi utility
Overview
ManufacturerFord Australia
ProductionApril 1996 – June 1999[1]
Body and chassis
Body style2-door coupe utility[1]
2-door panel van[1]
LayoutFront-engine, rear-wheel-drive
Powertrain
Engine4.0 L Ford I6 (petrol)
5.0 L Windsor V8 (petrol)
Transmission4-speed M93LE automatic (I6)
4-speed M97LE automatic (V8)
5-speed manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase2,957 mm (116.4 in)[1]
Length4,923 mm (193.8 in)[1]
Width1,862 mm (73.3 in)[1]
Height1,370 mm (53.9 in)[1]
Curb weight1,520 kg (3,351 lb)[1]
Chronology
PredecessorFord Falcon (XG)
SuccessorFord Falcon (AU)

The Ford Falcon (XH) is a commercial range of vehicles that was manufactured by Ford Australia from 1996 to 1999, as an upgrade to the XG series that was itself derived from the same-named fourth-generation full-size car.

Introduction

The Ford XH Falcon was introduced in April 1996[1] as a facelift of the Ford XG Falcon,[1] which it replaced. Like the XG series, it was offered only in coupe utility and panel van body styles. The XH series was sold alongside the EF Falcon sedan and wagon models until October 1996, and with the facelifted EL Falcon sedan and wagons from that point as well as early in the AU Falcon production run.

Ford grafted the nose of its EF Falcon sedan/wagon on to the existing XG Falcon, giving it the appearance of a new model.[2] A new bonnet with a raised centre section was also fitted.[1] Improvements included revised front suspension and steering, revised rear suspension, upgraded engines, revised seats, a new instrumentation pod and upgraded interior trim.[2]

Model range

The XH range was offered in 2-door coupe utility and 2-door panel van models, marketed as follows.

  • Ford Falcon Longreach GLi utility
  • Ford Falcon Longreach GLi panel van
  • Ford Falcon Longreach S utility
  • Ford Falcon Longreach Outback utility
  • Ford Falcon XR6 utility
  • Ford Falcon XR8 utility (from October 1997)

GLi utility and vans were available with a "1 Tonne" option pack that included heavier rear leaf springs, uprated tyres and an automatic transmission oil cooler.[2]

There were also several limited edition XH models:

  • Longreach GLi Tradesman: adding air conditioning, vinyl bed liner, 15 inch alloy wheels, Tradesman decals, remote central locking. Sold between May and June 1997, with 520 utilities and 80 vans produced. Reintroduced between October 1998 and June 1999, with 820 utilities and 80 vans produced.[1]
  • Longreach S Splash (utility): adding to the S model an alloy sports bar, alloy wheels (as per EF Fairmont Ghia), cruise control, and leather steering wheel. Sold between July 1997 and November 1998, with 300 produced.[1]
  • Longreach GLi Special Edition (utility): adding air conditioning, alloy wheels, and "Special Edition" decals. Sold between December 1998 and June 1999, with 600 produced.[1]
  • Ford Falcon (XH) Longreach S utility
    Ford Falcon (XH) Longreach S utility
  • Ford Falcon (XH) Longreach GLi panel van
    Ford Falcon (XH) Longreach GLi panel van

XH Series II

An upgraded XH Series II range was introduced in October 1997,[1] A 5.0 litre V8 engine was added as an option for the Automatic S Ute and was fitted as standard equipment in the newly introduced XR8 model, 624 XR8 utes were produced during the production run with 212 being manual.[3] Both the new XR8 and the revised XR6 featured the nosecone design from the EL series Falcon XR8 Sedan.[3]

  • Ford Falcon (XH II) XR6 utility
    Ford Falcon (XH II) XR6 utility
  • Ford Falcon (XH II) Longreach GLi Tradesman 1 Tonne panel van
    Ford Falcon (XH II) Longreach GLi Tradesman 1 Tonne panel van
  • Ford Falcon (XH II) Longreach GLi Tradesman 1 Tonne panel van
    Ford Falcon (XH II) Longreach GLi Tradesman 1 Tonne panel van

Replacement

The XH Falcon Ute models were replaced in June 1999 by Ute variants of the AU Falcon range. The XH Van was discontinued and was not replaced, bringing to an end the 38-year history of the Australian "Falcon Van", which began with the XK Falcon Sedan Delivery model in 1961. By the time it was replaced, the basic design dating back to the XD Falcon of 1979 felt terminally dated.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o XH Falcon at Falcon Facts. Retrieved 18 October 2011
  2. ^ a b c Ford Falcon XH Car Review. Retrieved 18 October 2011
  3. ^ a b What's New About XH Series 2 Falcon Ute & Van Archived 2011-11-21 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 19 October 2011
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