Retro Rides Presents Ford Falcon EA-ED: Enter the S-XR6

    Glenn Torrens10 February, 2025

    Ford Falcon EB S-XR6

    While it seemed no one at the time of its launch had been asking for an Aussie performance six-cylinder car, Ford and Tickford had been quietly tinkering away on a car which would set a six-cylinder cat amongst the V8 pigeons

    This is how Ford kept the fast car hits coming with the introduction of the S-XR6, a feisty six-pot that showed both Holden and Ford V8s a clean pair of heels. 

    While Aussies enthusiasts have long had a love a love affair with V8-powered machines, there’s always been a corner of our hearts reserved for a hot six-cylinder.

    Over the years our local car makers had served up some tasty inline six-cylinder morsels, including the V8-eating and Bathurst-conquering Holden Torana GTR XU-1, the staunch race-spec triple-carby Valiant Chargers, the short-lived Nissan-turbo-powered VL Commodore, and various Falcon and Commodores with EFI engine option in the early 1980s.

    But by 1991, the new V8s of Holden and Ford were once again the kings of Aussie highways and no one was really asking for another Aussie performance six. 

    No one, that is, outside of Ford and its Tickford Vehicle Engineering hot shop, who had been quietly tinkering away on a little project that would soon set the six-cylinder cat amongst the V8 pigeons.  

    The Ford Falcon S-XR6 arrived in late 1992 in the Blue Oval’s EB2 Series Falcon, and immediately set about elbowing aside both brands V8s with its ‘ooh-yeah!’ acceleration and top speed.

    Ford Falcon EB S-XR6 Engine

    The S-XR6 featured a 4.0-litre version of Ford’s overhead-cam straight-six which had been fettled by Tickford Vehicle Engineering

    The sharply priced five-seat family flier’s extra performance came from a ‘red head’ version of Ford’s OHC alloy head six. Recently revised from 3.9 to 4.0-litres and fitted as standard with multi-point fuel injection for other EB2 models, the engine in the S-XR6 was further enhanced by Tickford Vehicle Engineering using every trick in the tuner’s handbook. 

    The engine featured a bigger-valve head, revised cam, higher compression ratio, freer-flowing exhaust, higher fuel pressure, and a revised tune in the EECIV/EFI computer. The results lifted power from the regular Falcon’s 148kW/348Nm to a heartier 161kW/366 Nm.

    Also aiding the S-XR6’s performance was a lower diff ratio – down from the 3.23:1 on the standard Falcon S to a sharper stepping 3.45:1 – causing the engine to rev faster, delivering more power and response at any given speed.

    All these little changes stacked up to giant-killing performance, with the October 1992 issue of Wheels magazine proclaiming the S-XR6 not just quicker to 100km/h and over the standing 400m than its big brother the Falcon S-XR8, but also quicker than the Holden Commodore SS, and the premium 200kW HSV GTS. 

    Ford Falcon EB S-XR6

    The October 1992 edition of Wheels magazine proclaimed the S-XR6 to be “the quickest Aussie car you can buy!”

    The six-pot was a good drive too, adopting not only the EB2 Falcon’s general improvements and upgrades, but also a specific Tickford-developed suspension package that sat the S-XR6 40mm lower, on stiffer coils and gas dampers. Premium Michelin rubber helped get the power down cleanly, while less engine weight over the front-end also endowed the S-XR6 with sweeter steering than the V8.  

    All in all, the S-XR6 was a terrifically well-rounded sports sedan, lifting the sporty Aussie six well beyond the class average of red stripes, alloy wheels and a boot lid spoiler. 

    Ford’s proper-quick six became even more distinctive with the ED series. Now renamed simply XR6, the ED debuted the now iconic quad headlamp design that remained a signature styling theme of the Falcon XR6 and XR8 until the curtain was drawn on Ford Australia production in 2016. 

    In the next, final instalment: Why Ford’s early 1990s Falcons make a great first-time classic… and how to avoid buying a bad one.

    Glenn Torrens

    Writer

    A life-long car nut, Glenn Torrens (who usually answers to ‘GT’) has been writing about cars and the lifestyle around them since a photo shoot with his 1956 VW Beetle - restored and modified at home while training as a high school teacher - led to a role as a motoring writer. Six years at Street Machine fuelled his passion for performance cars - especially Aussie ones – and inspired him to conceive and develop Australian Muscle Car magazine. Glenn has contributed to many old-school Australian motoring titles such as WHEELS, Unique Cars and 4x4 Australia and is thrilled to be involved as writer and presenter for Australia’s new premium on-line Retro Rides. 

    Glenn remains a hands-on classic car enthusiast with project cars as diverse as a 1990 Mazda MX-5, 1989 Mitsubishi Pajero 4WD, a pair of VW Beetle motorsport cars, a Ford Falcon and several Holden Commodores… and the happy little blue ’56 VW Bug where things all began.

    More inRetro Rides Originals

    All VW Bus generations from 1950 to today

    Celebrating 75 years of the Volkswagen Bus 

    The iconic Volkswagen Bus has been moving people and goods worldwide since 1950. The success of the VW Bus is unique in automotive history, standing as a symbol of the ‘economic miracle’ that was post-WWII Germany, of the hippie movement, and to this day of reliability, freedom and adventure.

    Modern Classic Cars Foundation

    How the Modern Classic Cars Foundation is addressing the classic car skills shortage

    As the automotive industry looks to include more technology and computer-controlled systems in cars than ever before, the nature of mechanics’ jobs is changing. As a result, the skills required to work on old cars are at risk of dying out, although one Sydney-based charity is looking to change that.

    Datsun 1600 Sedan

    Top Tips for Buying a Used Datsun 1600 (1968-72)

    When it arrived in the late ’60s, the Datsun 1600 boasted strong levels of standard equipment, a grunty four-pot engine, front disc brakes and independent rear suspension, positioning it closer to a BMW on paper than any of its Japanese contemporaries.

    More inAussie

    John French and Dick Johnson with the 1981 Bathurst 1000 trophy

    Australian motorsport world mourns the loss of Bathurst winner John French

    The world of Australian motorsport is mourning the loss of 1981 Bathurst 1000 winner John French, who died on 11 March 2025 aged 94.

    2025 All Aussie Auto Show

    2025 All Aussie Auto Show set to highlight Australian classics and unknowns

    When you think of what a car show for Australian vehicles might look like, a sea of Holdens and Fords will likely come to mind, with maybe the odd Mitsubishi or Chrysler. However, the 2025 All Aussie Auto Show is set to challenge that presumption by creating an event which opens attendees’ eyes to the depth and breadth of the Aussie automotive industry.

    Mitsubishi Magna AWD

    Classic TV: Mitsubishi Magna AWD

    In 2002, Mitsubishi made history by releasing the first all-wheel drive series production car built in Australia, the Magna AWD. Soon after, it also changed history with the same car's advertising campaign.

    Get The Latest

    Sign up for the latest in retro rides, from stories of restoration to community happenings.

    By clicking Sign Up you're confirming that you agree with our Terms and Conditions.