Improved vision made the XD a most controllable
car for its size. While comfort was adequate, unfortunately
the driving position suffered the same fault as previous
Falcons insofar as the
steering wheel was too close
to the chest and the old-fashioned umbrella-type
handbrake was retained. The European Sports Pack (ESP) was released
15 months after the rest of the range, in June 1980.
It was fitted as standard with the new 4.1 litre
alloy head six, however the 5.8 litre V8 was
available as an option. The ESP also featured a
re-worked
suspension system, which included higher-rate
front and rear springs, a rear radius rod and Bilstein
gas shock absorbers. The
steering geometry and anti-sway
bars were unique to the ESP.