EF Fairmont Ghia

Sleeker than before, the first major EA facelift featured an all-new nose, tail (sedan only) and interior design, and a fake grille and raised bonnet from Fairmont upwards (lower line models had no grille).

Only the doors carried over. Substantial engineering changes meant revised motors (standard 4.0L I6 now 157kW/357Nm), suspension, steering, brakes, computer power, and body crash resistance, while better seats and a driver’s airbag was introduced.

And finally the old under-dash handbrake gave way to a console-sited one.

However, although sales increased dramatically, some critics deemed the EF’s handling a little “too twitchy” at the limit.

New Standard features: Driver’s airbag, centre console with armrests and drink holders, better audio, service interval indicator, console handbrake.

Engine options: 165kW/388Nm 5.0L OHV V8