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What Litre is a Ford Falcon?

There isn’t a single litre size for the Ford Falcon; engine displacements across generations and markets range from about 2.4 litres in early US models up to around 5.4 litres in V8 variants, with the 4.0-litre inline-six being the most common configuration in modern Australian Falcons. This article explains how the litre size varies by era and region and highlights the typical configurations you’re likely to encounter.


United States Falcons: historical engine sizes


In the US market, Falcon models from the 1960s through the 1970s were offered with a range of inline-six engines and small- to mid-size V8s. The following paragraphs summarize typical displacements you’d encounter across those generations.


Common engine displacements by generation in the US market include the following:



  • Inline-six options around 2.4–3.3 litres (roughly 144–200 cubic inches) used in early models.

  • V8 options around 4.3–4.9 litres (roughly 260–302 cubic inches), including engines commonly labeled as 260, 289, and 302 in³ equivalents.


Across these generations, engine size in US Falcons varied, but the most prevalent configurations fell in the 2.4–3.3 L inline-sixes and 4.3–4.9 L V8s.


Australian Falcons: common modern sizes


For Australia, the Falcon lineup is best known for its 4.0-litre inline-six center stage for most mid-1990s through mid-2010s models, with larger V8s reserved for higher-performance variants.


Common engine displacements by generation in the Australian market include the following:



  • 4.0 L Barra inline-six (the long-running, widely used engine across EF–FG-era Falcons).

  • 4.0 L inline-six with turbocharging in XR6 Turbo variants (same displacement, boosted output).

  • 5.0 L modular V8 used in XR8 and related high-performance variants.

  • 5.4 L modular V8 (Boss) used in select GT/XR8 models and limited editions.


In practice, the vast majority of Australian Falcons sit on the 4.0 L inline-six platform, with 5.0–5.4 L V8 options appearing primarily in performance-oriented models.


Notable variations and production timeline


Ford’s Falcon lineup evolved over time, with the Barra 4.0 L I6 becoming the backbone of many standard models starting in the late 1990s and continuing through the FG generation. The 5.0–5.4 L V8 options appeared in XR8 and GT variants to deliver higher performance. The Falcon line was eventually discontinued in Australia in 2016, marking the end of a long-running era for the model in that market.


Summary


The Ford Falcon does not have a single engine displacement. Across its history and markets, it spanned roughly from 2.4 to 5.4 litres, with the 4.0-litre inline-six being the dominant modern choice in Australia and 5.0–5.4 L V8s appearing in performance variants. If you’re researching a specific Falcon model, verify the exact year and variant to confirm the precise displacement.

How big is a 1965 Ford Falcon?


The 1965 Ford Falcon's dimensions are an overall length of 181.6181.6181.6 inches, a width of 71.671.671.6 inches, and a wheelbase of 109.5109.5109.5 inches. The height varies by body style, with sedans at 54.554.554.5 inches, convertibles at 53.853.853.8 inches, and hardtops at 53.253.253.2 inches.
 

Dimension Value
Overall Length 181.6181.6181.6 inches
Width 71.671.671.6 inches
Wheelbase 109.5109.5109.5 inches
Height (Sedan) 54.554.554.5 inches
Height (Convertible) 53.853.853.8 inches
Height (Hardtop) 53.253.253.2 inches
Front Tread 555555 inches
Rear Tread 565656 inches
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Is a Ford Falcon a V8?


All three were powered by a unique version of Ford's 5.4-litre Modular V8, with DOHC 4-valve cylinder heads from the Mustang Cobra R engine. FPV named this uniquely tuned engine as the Boss 290 because of its power output—it produced 290 kW (390 hp) at 5500 rpm and 520 N⋅m (380 lb⋅ft) of torque at 4500 rpm.



How many litres is a Ford Falcon?


Beneath the curvaceous bonnet of the Ford Falcon XT and XR6 is the 4.0-litre, DOHC DI-VCT, I6 engine that has 391 Nm of torque and 195 kW of power.



What engine is in a Ford Falcon?


Ford Falcon (FG)
LayoutFR layout
PlatformE8
Powertrain
EngineInline-four 2.0 L Ecoboost (2012–2014) Straight-six 4.0 L Barra 4.0 L Barra E-Gas (2008–2011) 4.0 L Barra EcoLPi (2011–2014) 4.0 L Barra Turbo V8 5.4 L BOSS 5.0 L Supercharged BOSS


Kevin's Auto

Kevin Bennett

Company Owner

Kevin Bennet is the founder and owner of Kevin's Autos, a leading automotive service provider in Australia. With a deep commitment to customer satisfaction and years of industry expertise, Kevin uses his blog to answer the most common questions posed by his customers. From maintenance tips to troubleshooting advice, Kevin's articles are designed to empower drivers with the knowledge they need to keep their vehicles running smoothly and safely.