in 1981, ford would take steps to further increase the fuel economy of its full-size cars. from the lincoln continental/mark vi, all panther-platform cars received the 4-speed aod overdrive automatic transmission, replacing all previous 3-speed automatics. the engine line was revised: the 5.8 l v8 was restricted exclusively to fleet (police) sales, with a 4.2 l version of the 4.9 l v8 becoming the new base engine. the 4.9 l v8 saw major changes, with the carburetor replaced by throttle-body "electronic central fuel injection". in contrast to competitors from general motors and chrysler, the ltd crown victoria was sold exclusively with a v8 engine.