1980 Ford Falcon (Australia)

The 1980 introduction of the alloy head improved the fuel economy of the ageing OHV six cylinder engine, an engine with its roots in the 1950s, while boosting power in the high compression 4.1 litre version from 92 to 94 kilowatts. A combination of government pressure, the fuel crisis and more stringent pollution controls began to curtail the development of high performance cars. Initially quality and fuel consumption concerns dogged the XD.