The replacement to the XC needed to enable Ford Australia to counter any momentum being generated by the General’s European influenced VB Commodore. Starting with a clean-sheet, the designers strove to better their car in many key areas, including efficiency and interior space. The resultant XD featured numerous innovative design features, including the first plastic fuel tank fitted to an Australian built car, but unlike the Commodore the Ford designers had resisted the temptation to make the car smaller.
The subsequent XE introduced electronic
fuel injection and a Watts link coil sprung rear end, the efficiency and smoothness this brought about taking Ford to the number one spot in the Australian market. With the XF came the EEC-IV engine management system, adding further refinement to an already smooth, strong and reliable power plant. The all-new and more rounded shape was introduced with the EA, and further improvements to the front
suspension and geometry ensured even greater durability. The EB offered some
handling improvements, but for many the most important feature was the return of the bent-eight, although arguably more important was Ford’s decision to make ABS available on a mainstream Aussie built car for the first time.
