89-658: The Ford Fairlane and LTD are full-sized luxury vehicles produced in a series of models by Ford Australia between 1959 (with the LTD commencing production in 1973) and 2007. From 1959 to 1964, the Fairlane was a locally assembled version of the American Ford Fairlane , which had taken its name from Henry Ford 's estate, Fair Lane , near Dearborn, Michigan . The car was Ford Australia's top-of-the-range model until replaced by an Australian-assembled version of
178-492: A front-engine, rear-wheel drive (FR) layout. The FR layout is more expensive to produce and produces lower fuel economy than a front-wheel drive layout; however, it allows for larger engines (particularly straight-six , V8 , and V12 ) to be used. Some American luxury cars during the 1970s through the 1990s switched to a front-wheel drive layout with transverse engine , due to the Arab Oil Embargo of 1973 and
267-540: A 2-rows option with four seats, which typically have more features than their cheaper counterparts. By the early 2020s, manufacturers have found additional strategies to improve technologies, such as new materials, new systems, and improving exteriors. Examples of luxury MPV models include Mercedes-Benz V-Class , Lexus LM , Buick GL8 , Hongqi HQ9 , Toyota Alphard , Volvo EM90 and the Zeekr 009 . Ford Windsor engine Too Many Requests If you report this error to
356-418: A 204 hp (152 kW) 332-cubic-inch (5.44 L) V8 engine . The Custom 300 and Ranch Wagon was fitted with a three-speed manual transmission as standard equipment and the Fairlane 500 used a fully automatic transmission. Wheelbase was 118". For 1960, the range was updated with the grille and trim from the 1959 Canadian Meteor and engine power was increased to 450 hp (164 kW). In May 1962,
445-618: A 3.9 L unit with improved fuel economy and power. These models were part of the EA26 development programme and platform (E for the market segment, A for Australia, 26 the project code). Therefore, officially they were EA26s, but colloquially, Ford aficionados prefer a two-letter code. Hence, the new Fairlanes were given the NA series code. The equivalent LTDs came on stream as the DA series in June 1988. Like
534-474: A full digital dashboard was introduced with push-button controls at either end of the instrument binnacle. The FE series LTD was also released in October 1984. June 1988 had the next major revision; the Fairlane's straight edges gave way to gentle curves, based on the EA26 platform Falcon. The philosophy was the same - a long-wheelbase Falcon with a six-light body. The 4.1 L six was heavily revised, becoming
623-474: A higher Fairlane Concorde trim, with the same 4.0 and 5.0 L engine choices. No Sportsman variant of the Fairlane was offered. For customers, five Dealer modified NL Series Fairlanes from Sydney and Melbourne utilised parts from the 5.0-litre Mustang Cobra and Australian delivered SVO parts due to the limited edition run of the Fairlane by Tickford and customers wanting to maintain the Luxury look but sport
712-594: A long-travel coil-spring suspension and an aluminium V8 engine. In the mid-1990s, the SUV market expanded with new entrants. By the mid-1990s, the entry-level Ford Explorer and upscale Jeep Grand Cherokee were the market leaders for SUVs. The fastest-growing sector of this market was for the so-called luxury SUVs, which included the Jeep Grand Cherokee ... the Grand Cherokee's allure: "This vehicle
801-524: A release of the Town Cars. These were 50th-Anniversary models, celebrating 50 years of Ford in Australia. They produced 250 of each in the LTD and Fairlane ranges. The Fairlanes in particular were optioned with LTD components, 15-inch wheels, leather interior, and electric windows to name some options. In the Fairlane, only a small handful was special-ordered with a 351 motor. All others were 302s. The LTD
890-553: A separate marque (e.g. Lexus , launched by Toyota in 1989) or purchased one (e.g. Bentley , by Volkswagen in 1998). Occasionally, a luxury car is initially sold under a mainstream marque and is later rebranded under a specific luxury marque (for example, the Hyundai's Genesis to Genesis G80 as well as the Citroën DS to DS 5 ). For mass-produced luxury cars, sharing of platforms or components with other models
979-609: A specially imported silver vinyl roof, and a Cranberry red velour interior. Another limited-edition model, the LTD Town Car was offered in 1978. Ford waited until May 1979 before updating the Fairlane to the ZJ Series. This model was a leap ahead into the new decade, with squared-off lines and a six-light bodyshell clearly distinguishing Fairlane from the new XD Falcon of that year. The traditional quad headlights and distinctive vertically striped taillights further differentiated
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#17327902756751068-481: A status symbol for conspicuous consumption . However, since many European luxury car buyers shy away from conspicuous consumption, brands offer buyers the option of removing exterior badges that identify the model name or engine size. The suspension system of most luxury cars is tuned to prioritize ride quality over handling , however, some are marketed as "sports luxury" and have a greater emphasis on handling characteristics. Traditionally, luxury cars have used
1157-401: A time when luxury car sales suffered a 1% decline, and non-luxury SUV sales were flat. By 2004, 30% of major luxury brands' U.S. sales were SUVs. Crossover SUVs became increasingly popular in the mid-2000s, and manufacturers also began to produce luxury versions of crossovers. The Lexus RX was the earliest luxury crossover on the market, and it has since been the best-selling luxury vehicle in
1246-515: Is common, as per modern automotive industry practice. A compact executive car or a compact luxury car is a premium car larger than a premium compact and smaller than an executive car . In European classification, compact executive cars are part of the D-segment . In North American terms, close equivalents are "compact premium car", "compact luxury car", "entry-level luxury car" and "near-luxury car". Compact executive cars are usually based on
1335-461: Is proof you can have a true off-road vehicle without giving up luxuries and amenities" with the Jeep providing a crucial new intangible factor for buyers—image. The SUV models generated higher profit margins than passenger cars, and car manufacturers began introducing new luxury SUVs during the late 1990s. SUVs such as the 1995 Lexus LX , 1997 Mercedes-Benz M-Class , and 1998 Lincoln Navigator were
1424-710: Is relative and partially subjective, reflecting both objective qualities of a car, as well as the projected and perceived image of the vehicle marque . Luxury brands rank above premium brands , though there is no clear distinction between the two. Traditionally, most luxury cars were large vehicles , though smaller sports-oriented models were produced. " Compact " luxury vehicles such as hatchbacks and off-road capable sport utility vehicles are more recent expansions of luxury qualities in various cars. Increasing comfort features, materials quality, interior space, innovations, and or performance have consistently been competitive strategies between car makers practically throughout
1513-737: Is reminiscent of the US-market Mercury Montego . The 1973 ZF also had the last manual transmission; afterwards, all Fairlanes were automatics. This model was also sold in South Africa, unlike the Falcon, which was discontinued in favour of the European Granada . Only the Fairlane 500, with column shift and seating for six, was available in South Africa. These cars were fitted with the 250 hp (186 kW) Cleveland 351 (5.8-litre) V8 engine. November 1973 had
1602-738: The Broadmeadows Assembly Plant and Eagle Farm , Queensland , in the early years. Until around March/April 1978 with the upcoming release of the Ford Falcon (XD) and its derivatives, Ford consolidated Falcon production at Campbellfield and Fairlane/LTD manufacturing to Eagle Farm. Around the release of the next generation during the EA Falcon era (1988), Eagle Farm ceased manufacture of cars and only produced heavy trucks until its closure in 1998. In September 1959, Ford Australia released three new locally-assembled models,
1691-632: The Fairlane 500 , the lower specification Custom 300 , and the Ranch Wagon . They were sourced from Ford of Canada , but were essentially the same as their 1959 US Ford counterparts. Tooling for local manufacture had taken nearly two years and had been completed at a cost of almost £ 1.5 million Australian. The sedans were 9½ inches longer and 5 inches lower than the Ford Customline models which they replaced and all three models featured
1780-613: The Rolls-Royce Phantom , Maybach 57 and 62 , Hongqi L5 , Bentley Mulsanne , Cadillac Celestiq , Toyota Century , and Aurus Senat . High-end sports cars which are targeted towards performance rather than luxury are not usually classified as ultra-luxury cars, even when their cost is greater than US$ 100,000 . The history of a brand and the exclusivity of a particular model can result in price premiums compared to luxury cars with similar features from less prestigious manufacturers. Ultra-luxury cars are usually selected as
1869-422: The official state car . Grand tourers are essentially high-performance luxury vehicles. These vehicles are generally two-door coupes and are made for long-distance driving, combined with the luxury of an executive car or full-size luxury car . Long before the luxury SUV segment was defined and became popular, the 1966 Jeep Super Wagoneer was marketed at the time as a fully-equipped station wagon. It
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#17327902756751958-656: The "NB". August 1991 had the news that many Fairlane/LTD purists had awaited: the reintroduction of the V8 in the NC Fairlane and DC-series LTD. Ford had never recovered from deleting the V8s in the 1980s and bowed to public pressure with its reintroduction. The 5.0 L engine was not identical to the one used in the United States Mustang and other passenger cars. For reason of better durability and perhaps cost, it
2047-531: The 1950s, including the Toyota Crown (1955–present), Prince/Nissan Gloria (1959–2004), Nissan Cedric (1960–2015), Mitsubishi Debonair (1964–1998), Nissan President (1965–2010), Toyota Century (1967–present), Mazda Luce/929 (1969–1991), and Honda Legend (1985–2021). Since the 1980s, overseas sales of Japanese luxury cars have increased, challenging traditional European luxury brands. Several East Asian manufacturers have created sub-brands for
2136-549: The 1963 US Fairlane 500 sedan as the FC model was commenced by Ford Australia in November 1962. It featured a revised bonnet, front guards, grille, headlights, and taillights, and was fitted with the "Ford-O-Matic" automatic transmission as standard equipment , and a 260-cubic-inch (4.3 L) Windsor V8 engine was now offered as an option. The Australian production of the 1963 model totalled 1,771 units. The 1964 US Fairlane 500 sedan
2225-425: The 1966 USA Fairlane) replaced the round units used on the Falcon. The Fairlane was equipped with a 200-cubic-inch (3.3 L) six-cylinder engine as standard with a 289-cubic-inch (4.74 L) V8 as an option. The Fairlane 500 featured the 289-cubic-inch (4.74 L) V8 as standard equipment. The six-cylinder engine was available with manual or automatic transmission and the V8 only with an automatic. Production of
2314-588: The 1967 US Fairlane with the inclusion of the required amber lens), but with wrap-around styling. The ZC was available in Fairlane Custom and Fairlane 500 models. A 221 cu in (3.6L) straight 6 engine was standard on the Custom, a 302 cu in (4.9L) V8 was standard on the Fairlane 500 and optional on the Custom, and a 351 cu in (5.8L) V8 was optional (with the same specs as the XW GT) on both models. Air conditioning
2403-564: The 1967 USA market Fairlane), again following the general look of the Falcon (in this case the XT). The base model was now known as Fairlane Custom. The facelifted ZC Fairlane series, which was introduced in July 1969, featured vertically stacked rather than horizontal headlights, harking back to the look of the 1966–67 US Fairlane models. Taillights were similar to those on the ZB (again, similar in style to
2492-738: The 1979 fuel crises which eliminated many FR platforms in favor of the more economical front-wheel drive (FF) layout. From the early 2000s, several of these American luxury cars reverted to FR layouts. Since the introduction of the Bentley Continental GT in 2003, additional luxury grand tourers feature all-wheel drive . Prior to World War II , a wide array of European producers made luxury cars, including Rolls-Royce , Bugatti , Delage , Delahaye , Talbot-Lago , Bentley , Alvis , Avions Voisin , Isotta Fraschini , Horch , Simson , Stoewer , Maybach , Mercedes-Benz , Hispano Suiza , Daimler Company , and Spyker . France
2581-427: The 1990s. The personal luxury car emerged into mass popularity and affordability as an America-specific category of popularly-priced cars made from the 1950s by the four domestic manufacturers (GM, Ford, Chrysler, and AMC) that reached peak popularity in the 1970s. The cars were stylized, mass-produced two-door coupés or convertibles , relying on standard components. These distinctively styled cars were targeting
2670-590: The 2010s. For example, Rolls-Royce Cullinan , Bentley Bentayga , Aston Martin DBX , Maserati Levante , Lamborghini Urus , and Ferrari Purosangue . Some brands, such as Lincoln , have even moved to an all SUV and/or crossover lineup. Manufacturers such as Mercedes-Benz , Toyota , Lexus , Buick , Hongqi , Zeekr and Volvo have marketed upscale luxury MPVs as luxury vehicles, mainly marketed for Asian markets. Luxury MPVs generally have 3-rows of six or seven seats; however, range-topping flagship models may also offer
2759-640: The 3.9 L engine a "4.0-litre", but trim levels remained the same. To appeal to younger buyers, Ford briefly sold a Fairlane Sportsman Ghia in 1993 with a "Tickford"-tuned 4.0 L six used in the Falcon XR6. A second, even smaller update, known as the NC III, arrived in August 1993. It is the equivalent to the ED series Falcon, adopting the new "ozone safe" R134a air conditioning refrigerant. The base Fairlane model
Ford Fairlane (Australia) - Misplaced Pages Continue
2848-485: The EF Falcon, and remained on the same platform. The new NF Fairlanes and DF LTDs were longer and curvier, hiding their 1980s origins reasonably well. The exterior design was more ornamental compared to the relatively clean NAs to NCs. The Fairlane Sportsman reappeared for 1996, with the same formula as 1993, with the 4.0 L six. In September 1996, the revised NL Fairlanes and DL LTDs appeared. In 1997, Ford introduced
2937-736: The European Commission. The next category of luxury cars is known in Great Britain as a "luxury saloon" or "luxury limousine," and is known in the United States as a full-size luxury sedan, large luxury sedan, or flagship sedan. It is the equivalent of the European F-segment and the German Oberklasse segment. Many of these luxury saloons are the flagship for the marque and include
3026-697: The Fairlane Ghias used by the New Zealand Government were fitted with the factory 4.0 L six-cylinder engine producing 165kw. The LTD was also used with a few being V8 models. The LTD Crown Cars were a range of colours including Dynamic White, Argon Silver, Mocha Foam and Amaretto in the facelift. The NL and DL Crown cars all sported special government only licence plates starting with CR404 in 1997 and continuing in numerical order to CR437 in 1998. Most crown cars were retired after three years of service. The Fairlane and LTD had been used by
3115-614: The Fairlane's wheelbase) body, coupled with the Fairlane's front clip. In the early 1990s, the Falcon utilities were still of the previous-generation XF. A prototype EB Falcon utility was made which looked Fairlane-based. To impart a look of solidness, the ute had a Fairlane frontal treatment. It did not enter production. The Fairlane and LTD received a major front and rear restyle in March 1995 (EA77 series in Ford-speak), coinciding with
3204-575: The Ford 9-inch. The P6 Series LTD was introduced in September 1976. This model had an even more flamboyant grille with four round headlamps , aping Rolls-Royces and other luxury models. The Landau was discontinued at this time. In 1977, a limited-edition LTD "Silver Monarch" model (referencing the Silver Jubilee of Elizabeth II ) was released and was only available in a "Stardust Silver" colour,
3293-649: The GT's performance. The rounded body lines were reminiscent of the US-market Ford Taurus, while the front end styling was similar to the Lincoln Town Car. Ford expanded the Fairlane range greatly in 1998. Beginning with the Ghia, also a basic Concorde (six-cylinder) and Concorde Ghia (V8) were offered. A Tickford -modified version was also available, with the larger engine. The NL and DL series were
3382-654: The LTD was not considered a luxury vehicle. In Australia, "LTD" originally stood for "Lincoln Type Design", although Ford Australia later promoted a connection with the meaning "Limited". The Fairlane and LTD competed in the marketplace with the Holden Brougham (1968–1971), the Statesman (1971–1984), and later with the Holden Statesman and Caprice (1990–2007). Ford produced the Fairlane/LTD at
3471-584: The LTD. Both models were notable for their concealed headlamps , which were revealed when their vacuum-operated grille sections were retracted. The technology was similar to that found on earlier models of the American-built Ford Thunderbird . Standard equipment on both the LTD and the Landau included integrated air conditioning, automatic transmission, electric windows, and a 351ci / 5.8L V8 engine. Also in July 1975, Ford commenced
3560-541: The Mercedes-Benz brand, later joined by BMW , which acquired Rolls-Royce Motor Cars in 1998, as well as Volkswagen which much later controlled or acquired additional brands such as Audi , Porsche , Bentley , Lamborghini , and Bugatti brands. In the Soviet Union, the manufacturer ZiL (then called Zis) began producing representational limousines in the mid-1930s. In the early 1950s, GAZ joined with
3649-529: The New Zealand Government since the 1970s through to 2010s where the Ford brand was replaced with BMW 7-Series. The New Zealand Government still uses CR registration plates on their current Crown Cars. Ford introduced its " New Edge " look to the AU series Fairlane in February 1999. The EA169 platform was somewhat of a flop and allowed rival Holden to overtake the company in the sales of full-sized cars. The AU LTD
Ford Fairlane (Australia) - Misplaced Pages Continue
3738-624: The Series II NA likely was going to be called the NB. Third-party parts suppliers also often list both an "NB Fairlane" an "NB – Series II Fairlane" in their parts catalogues adding to the NB mystery. DOTARS (the Commonwealth Department of Transport and Regional Services) has no record of giving Ford approval to use an "NB Fairlane" compliance plate for a production model which might explain Ford's reluctance to officially acknowledge
3827-576: The US. Some luxury crossovers are built on a platform shared with sedans or hatchbacks. For example, the Infiniti FX is based upon the same platform as the Infiniti G35 sedans and coupes. While early luxury crossovers released in the late 1990s have resembled traditional boxy SUVs, later crossovers, such as the Infiniti FX and BMW X6 , have been designed with a sporting appearance. Despite
3916-561: The USA and Brazilian market 1966 model year Galaxie 500) and new boot garnish were used. Internally, new door trim patterns debuted and the speedometer backing was now black instead of the silver used on ZCs. The ZA to ZD were basically stretched versions of the XR to XY series Ford Falcons, respectively, with the extra length added behind the rear door, moving the rear seat back and giving more leg room. An all-new, Australian-designed ZF series Fairlane
4005-540: The ZA Fairlane totalled 8,814 vehicles. A model change to the ZB series in March 1968 had the 200 grow to 221-cubic-inch (3.62 L) and the 289 grow to 302-cubic-inch (4.95 L), the top model remaining the Fairlane 500 with the larger engine. The Fairlane name badge on the rear guards was now in script rather than capitals as it had been on the ZA. The only notable external change was the taillight design (sourced from
4094-612: The ZG Fairlane. The LTD was only available as a four-door sedan, and the wheelbase was even longer than that of the Fairlane, itself a stretched Falcon. A luxury two-door coupé called the Ford Landau (also designated P5) was released at the same time. The Landau was based on the Australian Falcon Hardtop, so featured a 111-inch (2,800 mm) wheelbase as opposed to the 121-inch (3,100 mm) wheelbase of
4183-633: The dipper switch and horn. The P5s, however, used the ZF-style stalk and still had a "squeeze rim" horn similar to Falcon GTs of the era. Because the P6 LTD was not released until about five months after the ZH Fairlane, some of the last P5s actually had a few minor ZH parts fitted. The ZH series addressed earlier complaints about the Fairlane being too close to the Falcon in May 1976. The designers retained
4272-523: The entry-level luxury segment remained strong throughout the GFC, due to prices being lowered to compete with well-equipped non-luxury cars. For example, in Canada, several luxury manufacturers set sales records in August 2009, due mostly to discounted pricing on entry-level luxury vehicles. Some auto manufacturers market their luxury models using the same marque as the rest of their line. Others have created
4361-413: The external changes were negligible. In March 1983, the 4.9 L V8 was deleted, too, with Ford introducing a fuel-injected version of the six to take its place, claiming the new engine had acceleration figures equivalent to the V8. The main notable mechanical change was the introduction of the coil sprung, watts link-located rear axle, one of the best live rear-axle configurations. The LTD FC series
4450-421: The first SUVs produced by these luxury car brands. Some of these early luxury SUV models used unibody construction, becoming part of the trend moving away from the body-on-frame construction traditionally used by off-road vehicles. During the mid-2000s, SUVs from luxury car brands grew by almost 40% in the United States to more than 430,000 vehicles (excluding SUV-only brands like Hummer and Land Rover ), at
4539-686: The full-sized American Ford Galaxie . In 1967, Ford Australia reintroduced the Fairlane, this time as an Australian-developed, luxury, long-wheelbase version of its mainstream Falcon / Fairmont , positioned between the Falcon and the Galaxie. The locally assembled Galaxie evolved into the LTD which was itself replaced in 1973 by an Australian-developed, Fairlane-based model, also known as the Ford LTD. Unlike its designation in Australia, in North America
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#17327902756754628-505: The history of the automobile. Several car classification schemes include a luxury category, such as: Luxury cars have traditionally emphasized higher levels of comfort and safety. Manufacturers often introduce new safety technologies and comfort amenities on luxury models before they are available on more affordable models. Some brands, like Audi and BMW have expanded their marketing by "introducing lesser priced and strip-down economy versions of their products." Luxury vehicles can be
4717-471: The increased popularity of crossover models, traditional luxury SUVs remain in production. Examples include the Lexus LX , Infiniti QX80 , and Lincoln Navigator . Research data from the mid-2000s suggested that luxury SUV buyers did not consider traditional luxury cars (e.g. sedans and coupes), therefore the SUV is becoming the key to bringing new customers into luxury dealerships. Luxury car companies have increasingly introduced SUV or crossover models in
4806-482: The lack of a historical legacy has hindered these efforts. In 2014, Citroën introduced DS Automobiles sub-brand to market luxury cars. Pre World War II intermediate car manufacturers like Renault , Fiat , Opel , Lancia , Škoda , Riley , Praga , Peugeot , Hillman and Tatra made luxury cars but were forced to make economy cars and superminis post World War II . Following World War II, Germany rose to become an export powerhouse, building on success with
4895-411: The last models to come equipped with automatic self-leveling rear suspension. The New Zealand Government also used the NL Fairlane Ghia as their designated Crown Limousines. Crown Fairlanes have mostly painted Amaretto (a few in white) and were fitted with silver "Concorde" 16 inch wheels, 6 disc cd stacker, electric adjust drivers seat and New Zealand fitted flag pole mounts on the front guards. All of
4984-417: The late Adrian Ryan, was emphatic, officially, an NB series Fairlane never existed, at least one early 1989 prototype fitted with a four-speed automatic escaped from the factory bearing a compliance plate marked "NB" and was registered as an "NB Fairlane". Ford also produced an alloy wheel identification-guide poster for its parts counters listing one wheel as being for an "NB Sportsman Fairlane" and at one point
5073-406: The luxury model from Falcon. The trim levels were deleted: now, only a single Fairlane was available, with 4.9-litre (302 cu in) or 5.8-litre (351 cu in) V8 engine choices. In October, recognising the fuel crisis, Ford introduced a Fairlane with a 4.1-litre (250 cu in) inline-six from the Falcon. The LTD version of the ZJ surfaced in October 1979 as the FC Series, using
5162-440: The market. In the 2000s, both Ford and General Motors produced luxury pickups: 2002-2013 Cadillac Escalade EXT , 2002-2003 Lincoln Blackwood , and 2006-2014 Lincoln Mark LT . In the late 2000s, the Cadillac CTS and Cadillac DTS led to a resurgence in the brand's luxury sedans. The equivalent sedan from the Ford group, the 2008 Lincoln MKS , was also regarded as a significant improvement over previous models. In 2010, BMW
5251-512: The marketing of luxury cars. The first of these was the 1986 launch of Acura (a Honda sub-brand), followed by Lexus (Toyota) in 1989, Infiniti (Nissan) in 1989, and Genesis (Hyundai) in 2015. The time of the 2007–2008 financial crisis and the Great Recession was the first time since the Great Depression that the luxury car market suffered considerably, something not seen in previous economic downturns. Many such customers saw their net worth decline during this time. For example, some of
5340-405: The most common platforms used by Australian body-building companies to make stretch limousines. Revisions from November 1989 for the 1990 model year had the release of the NA II and DA II, the most notable change being the fitting of a four-speed, rather than three-speed, automatic transmission (since the Fairlane's debut, it had a three-speed). Although Ford Australia's former official historian,
5429-474: The needs of individual customers, not an entire family. The longest running model lines were the 1958-1997 Ford Thunderbird , 1956-1998 Lincoln Mark Series , and the 1967-2002 Cadillac Eldorado . In 1990, American luxury brands dominated, with Cadillac selling over a quarter-million cars, and Lincoln had its best year ever at 231,660 units. However, the market was changing with an ever greater acceptance of smaller, more efficient imported luxury brands while at
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#17327902756755518-536: The newest automotive technology. Several models are available in long-wheelbase versions, which provide additional rear legroom and may have a higher level of standard features. Examples of luxury saloons / full-size luxury sedans include the BMW 7 Series , Jaguar XJ , Cadillac CT6 , Genesis G90 , Audi A8 , Mercedes-Benz S-Class , Lexus LS , Hongqi H9 , Porsche Panamera and Maserati Quattroporte . Luxury cars costing over US$ 100,000 (as of 2007) can be considered as "ultra-luxury cars". Examples include
5607-414: The next series of changes, to the ZG-series Fairlane. The changes were mainly cosmetic, with a four-horizontal-bar grille and revised taillight lenses and garnish panel. An anniversary model with a standard 302 was released in 1975, but otherwise the range stayed the same as the 1974 versions. The Fairlane-based P5 series Ford LTD was released very late in the ZF model run in August 1973, three months prior to
5696-459: The opposite side to the US/North American models. As Australian enthusiasts often found to their frustration, these subtle changes often meant that many Ford Racing/SVO add-on bits, like the available superchargers, were not exactly the bolt-on items they were in North America. The inline-six continued. The NC also introduced a higher-spec Fairlane, called the Fairlane Ghia, and the V8 was available in this model. The 1992 NC II and DC IIs redesignated
5785-427: The platform of a mid-size car (also known as large family car or D-segment ), while some models may be based on a compact car (also known as small family car or C-segment ). Executive car is a British term for an automobile larger than a large family car . In official use, the term is adopted by Euro NCAP , a European organization founded to test for car safety. It is a passenger car classification defined by
5874-432: The postwar era. From 1946 until the late 1990s, Cadillac was the top-selling brand of luxury cars in the U.S., while Lincoln was second. The most successful and long-running model names during this era were the Cadillac DeVille , Lincoln Continental , and the Chrysler Imperial . The Lincoln Mark Series and Cadillac Eldorado were positioned in the personal luxury category, and competition between them continued into
5963-444: The previous generation, all N-series Fairlanes and D-series LTDs were built on the Falcon/Fairmont station-wagon platform, and this legacy is most noticeable in the disproportionally narrow station-wagon rear doors on what was meant to be a limousine and in a car that otherwise caters well for rear-seat passengers with a large amount of interior seating and legroom space. Nonetheless, these large sedans were "limousine enough" to be one of
6052-408: The same central section from the upcoming XC Falcon (including that car's new rear doors), but put on lengthened front and rear ends, giving the car more bulk and a luxury impression. The styling was reminiscent of the 1968 Mercury Marquis . The range-topping LTD went further upmarket with a fancy, Rolls-Royce -inspired grille (not dissimilar to that found on the Continental Mark V . Another sign of
6141-430: The same time, the domestic manufacturers were downsizing their models with product decisions that backfired on quality and brand respect. Since the late 1990s, Japanese and German brands have sold the most luxury-type cars in the United States. However, the Cadillac Escalade has led the luxury SUV segment sales in the United States since its introduction in 1998, with the highest sales for 15 out of its first 20 years on
6230-402: The same wheelbase and body panels as the Fairlane. In mid-1980, the Falcon 4.1-litre alloy head engine was made optional, the first time the LTD was available in six-cylinder guise. The ZK series of March 1982 had the deletion of the 5.8 L V8, which was the first warning the company would soon drop V8s from the local line-up. Minor changes were made to grille and taillights, but otherwise,
6319-488: The smaller 1962 US Fairlane 500 sedan was introduced as the FB model and a 221-cubic-inch (3.62 L) Windsor V8 was fitted in lieu of the 332. Although classified as an intermediate-sized car in the United States, the new model was referred to in Australia as the "compact" Fairlane. The new model, which was assembled in Ford Australia 's Homebush plant in Sydney, New South Wales , was £200 cheaper than its predecessor at £2,000; 1,632 examples were produced. Assembly of
6408-967: The somewhat smaller "Chaika" model range. In 2018, Aurus Motors was established to produce luxury vehicles for the Russian market. The luxury car phenomenon began at the start of the automobile industry when the wealthy frequently invested in manufacturing such models to gain social prestige. Emphasis was also placed on custom-built coachwork. The 1920s and 1930s were the apogee of production of these very large luxury automobiles from many manufacturers. The significant North American manufacturers from 1910 until 1940 included Auburn , Buick , Cadillac , Chrysler , Continental , Cord , Daniels , DeSoto , Duesenberg , Franklin , Imperial , LaFayette , LaSalle , Lincoln , Marmon , Packard , Peerless , Pierce Arrow , Ruxton , Stearns-Knight , and Stutz . The Great Depression put many luxury car manufacturers out of business; others would hold on before going defunct during
6497-585: The steepest drop-offs came at the high end, including the BMW 7 Series and Rolls-Royce Phantom , and in 2010 Mercedes-Benz dropped the price of the W212 E-Class . The unusually sharp decline in luxury car sales has led observers to believe that there is a fundamental shift and reshaping of the luxury automotive market, with one industry official suggesting that the marques no longer command the premiums that they used to and another saying that conspicuous consumption
6586-603: The upmarket move was the 500 becoming the basic trim (the Custom was deleted), and the Fairlane Marquis being the upscale version. The Marquis was Ford's response to the Statesman Caprice , which was introduced in 1974 as an LTD rival. ZH also moved to the use of the metric system to denote the engine sizes: the basic engine was known as the 4.9 L, the other as the 5.8 L. All ZH Marquises built after January 1979 had Borg-Warner differentials instead of
6675-569: Was 351-engine cars. 50th Anniversary Model badge As the P5 was released during the ZF model run, it retained many ZF components. For example, the main interior upgrade from the Fairlane ZF to ZG was the turn signal stalk. The ZF had the older-style stalk with the high beam "dipper" switch on the floor. When the ZG Fairlane was released a big item was the new multifunction column stalk which incorporated
6764-563: Was a leading producer of powerful luxury automobiles before World War II. After World War II, the French government used puissance fiscale tax regulations to encourage manufacturers to build cars with small engines, and French motorists to buy them. The Maserati-powered Citroën SM and the Citroën C6 were arguably the last domestic French luxury cars. In the 2010s, some French manufacturers have attempted to develop luxury cars, however
6853-531: Was also discontinued, leaving only the Fairlane Ghia. From March 1994 production, the NC received additional changes - the fitment of a leather-wrapped steering wheel, body-coloured bumpers and side protection strips, new-design alloy wheels, and a bonnet ornament . An idea proposed in the late 1980s was a Fairlane wagon. Most likely, had it entered production, it would have used the Falcon wagon (which rode on
6942-526: Was assembled by Ford Australia from December 1963 as the FD model. It was introduced in April 1964, distinguished by a lack of tail fins and a new grille with seven vertical bars. A choice of two powertrains was offered in the new model, a 260-cubic-inch (4.3 L) Windsor V8 with Ford-O-Matic automatic transmission or a 289-cubic-inch (4.74 L) Windsor V8 with Cruise-O-Matic automatic transmission. The 1964 model
7031-443: Was launched in April 1972, with swoopier bodywork, but criticisms launched that it looked too much like a four-headlamp version of the basic Falcon. The ZF Fairlanes were joined by an even more upscale LTD in August 1973, with hidden headlamps and vinyl roofs. Model names remained the same (Custom and 500), as did the engine choices, as the previous model year. Although this car was designed and built exclusively in Australia, its styling
7120-454: Was no longer attractive in poor economic conditions. Additionally, mainstream brands have been able to offer amenities and devices such as leather, wood, and anti-lock brakes, previously found only on luxury cars, as the costs decline. However, luxury vehicle sales remained relatively high compared to their non-luxury counterparts. This was aided by growing interest in luxury vehicles from emerging markets such as China and Russia. Sales in
7209-429: Was offered as an option for the first time. 12,513 ZC series Fairlanes were produced. The ZD series was released in November 1970 for the 1971 model year. The base engine became a 250-cubic-inch (4.1 L) six-cylinder unit, while the 302 and 351 V8s remained, the latter found only in the Fairlane 500. Externally, the taillights were restyled (similar to XY Falcon), and a new plastic grille with metal surround (mimicking
7298-457: Was released three months later, in May. Luxury vehicles A luxury car is a car that provides above-average to high-end levels of comfort , features, and equipment. Often, more expensive materials and surface finishes are used, and buyers expect better build quality . The usually higher pricing and more upscale appearance are often associated with the users' higher social status compared to low- and mid-market segment cars. The term
7387-542: Was similar to the 1966–67 US Fairlane sedan, however. Offered as the Fairlane and the Fairlane 500, it was based on the Australian XR Falcon . The 2819 mm wheelbase of the Falcon was stretched to 2946 mm, the front and centre body sections were retained and a new twin-headlight grille was added. The rear quarter panels and boot from the US Fairlane were used, and square taillights (sourced from
7476-620: Was the Canadian-made Windsor engine used in the North American light truck and 4WD models. To meet the needs of the space required for a right-drive steering column, its inlet manifold was reversed. Again to meet the conversion to right-hand drive and the rerouted inlet ducting, air box, and air conditioning lines, the Australian-installed engines also had most of their serpentine belt-driven accessories on
7565-532: Was the best-selling luxury vehicle manufacturer by sales, with Audi and Mercedes-Benz the second and third highest selling luxury brands. Chinese manufacturer Hongqi was launched in 1958, making it the oldest Chinese luxury car marque. Later newcomers joined taking advantage of the rise of electric powertrains, with NEV brands such as Nio in 2014, Lynk & Co in 2016, HiPhi in 2019, and Zeekr in 2021 producing luxury electric and hybrid vehicles. Japanese manufacturers have been producing luxury cars since
7654-420: Was the first off-road SUV to offer a V8 engine and automatic transmission along with luxury car trim and equipment. Standard features included bucket seating , a center console, air conditioning, a seven-position tilt steering wheel, a vinyl roof , and gold-colored trim panels on the body sides and tailgate. By the late 1970s, optional equipment included an electric sunroof. The 1978 Jeep Wagoneer Limited
7743-536: Was the last of the US Fairlanes in Australia, as Ford discontinued the model locally in 1965 to make way for the larger Ford Galaxie ; 1,344 examples were produced in Australia. The ZA Fairlane series, introduced in March 1967, was designed and built in Australia, although its front-end styling resembled the American Ford Falcon sedan of that year (except for the quad headlights). The body shape
7832-488: Was the spiritual successor to the Super Wagoneer and was the first four-wheel drive car to use leather upholstery. The Range Rover was released in 1970 as a two-door vehicle for off-road durability with few "creature comforts." A four-door version was added in 1981, and the model was pushed upmarket in 1983 by introducing an automatic transmission (Chrysler's A727 TorqueFlite ) as an option. The Range Rover had
7921-433: Was updated to and designated FD in March 1982 with the V8 engine option deleted the following year. The revised ZL series of 1985 (launched October 1984) kept the two six-cylinder engine options; only at the end of 1986 was the carburettor version of the Fairlane deleted. The ZL again carried over all external panels, but now had integrated headlights with clear indicators, full wrap-around bumpers, and new taillights. Inside,
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