Forcing the Issue: Ford Territory Turbo

Motoring Channel Staff - 22/June/2006

Melbourne, Australia — Following its public debut at the 2006 Melbourne Motor Show earlier in the year, Ford has released a high powered new SUV for sale. Called the Territory Turbo, the vehicle was created in response to customers who loved the Territory, but wanted more power and torque for both driving enjoyment and towing duties.

Ford's Territory is the best-selling SUV in Australia at the moment, outselling Toyota's Kluger comfortably, and was last year upgraded with a 6-speed automatic gearbox, which has reinvigorated interest yet again. And the now the highly popular vehicle gets even more clout thanks to its generous cousin, the Falcon XR6 Turbo.

Now packing the turbocharged 4.0-litre petrol engine from the XR6 Turbo, the Territory Turbo range consists of two models: the Territory Turbo will sell for $53,990, and the more highly specified Territory Ghia Turbo fetches a price of $65,490.

For this price, you get a premium SUV with seating for seven (with the optional third row), more than 30 storage units, including a lockable compartment under the driver's seat, a range of airbags, dynamic stability control, electrically adjustable front seats and of course Ford's highly acclaimed 6-cylinder turbo motor.

With 245kW (328hp) of power @ 5250rpm and 480Nm of torque @ 2000rpm, the turbo engine delivers a significant increase in power when compared to the standard 4.0-litre L6 used in Territory models, the latter developing 190kW and 383Nm of torque. 

"The turbo Territory project provided us with many challenges, and the end result is a world class vehicle," said Trevor Worthington, the vice president of product development, who explained that it wasn't simply a case of bolting the Falcon XR6 Turbo's motor into a Territory engine compartment.

"It was an extensive engineering project that involved a lot more work than simply slotting an engine into a space under the bonnet. Our engineers undertook a full development program to ensure the total vehicle outcome based around the iconic turbo engine was optimised."

Locating the intercooler on top of the engine was a functional decision rather than an outcome based purely on aesthetic qualities, says Worthington: "Extensive pre-production testing determined an engine mounted, rather than a front mounted, intercooler would enable superior cooling of the charge air for the turbo Territory.

"Better control of the air temperature into the engine leads to improvements in performance and fuel economy, which is a respectable 14.2 l/100km."

Another benefit of a top mounted intercooler, says Ford, is the reduction in the required amount of intercooler pipework. By reducing the length of the plumbing, the volume of air required to fill the induction system is reduced, which leads to improved throttle and torque response.

And while the new turbo Territory models will offer drivers sports car-like performance, they will still maintain the car-like ride and handling characteristics that are a hallmark of the range insists Ford:"Although our customers told us they desired the power and torque benefits of Ford's renowned turbo engine, they did not want to lose any of the other qualities that come with driving a Territory," said Trevor Worthington.

"The engineering team spent considerable time ensuring that the increased power and torque did not negatively affect the refinement or NVH levels of the vehicle. We also created a new Dynamic Stability Control calibration to cater for the variety of driving characteristics of a turbo Territory owner."

Mr. Worthington also noted the engine's improved performance, which will likely appeal to many sports car buyers who are buying an SUV for changing lifestyle reasons: "This translates into a better off-the-line performance feel and increased drivability, particularly when towing, due to the significantly increased level of torque," he said.

Turbo boost is a relatively low 6.5psi (0.45 bar), which helps the new model develop a smoother and delivery of power, according to Ford."The turbo engine generates power effortlessly, arriving in an even, polished manner across a long flat torque curve. It provides the driver with a refined luxury sports experience with the performance they desire," explained Worthington.

As well as giving the Territory a 30% increase in power thanks to the creamy-smooth turbocharged straight 6-cylinder engine, the SUV is marketed as a family-friendly vehicle and therefore Ford has ensured that the safety systems of the new model are up to scratch: "Territory was the first Australian manufactured vehicle to incorporate the advanced safety features of Dynamic Stability Control in selected models and also the first to include the option of side curtain airbags," said Russell Christophers, Vehicle Line Director [Falcon and Territory].

"More recently, it set another benchmark in customer convenience and ease of driving with the introduction of a reverse camera on SY Territory Ghia. This feature is standard on Territory Ghia Turbo." The reverse camera is initiated as soon as the reverse gear is selected and is remarkably useful, offering a clear image of what's behind, says Motoring Channel Editor Feann Torr.

It offers a wide field of view thanks to a fish-eye lens of sorts, to a distance of about 15 metres. Measuring about 130 degrees, the wide angle of the camera means the area immediately outside the width of Territory can also be seen, and Ford reckons that the reverse camera will be an invaluable aid when backing up to hitch a trailer or caravan.

Other safety systems include dual front airbags and side curtain airbags on the Territory Ghia Turbo  (the entry level model can be optioned with curtain air bags) and three-point lap-sash seat belts throughout, enhancing safety in the front, second or optional third row seats.

Due to the increased power of the engine, the anchors and wheels have been modified to better cope with the elevated performance; the brakes feature a more powerful performance calliper and increased front disc size, increased from 322mm x 28mm to 340mm x 32mm; the wheels are bigger, with 18-inch alloys shod with 235/55 R8 tyres.

"It is likely that Territory Turbo and Territory Ghia Turbo will attract customers with a range of driving requirements and styles – from family people mover through to recreational towing vehicle and, of course, the enthusiastic sports oriented driver," said Trevor Worthington, adding that Ford has developed "a DSC calibration that allows the sports enthusiast driver to enjoy the full benefits of the vehicle's additional performance, while also providing the right level of driver assistance for all drivers."

All Territory Turbo models are full-time 4WD vehicles, available with 6-speed automatic gearboxes, which are made in Germany and feature a host of options, including a 'learning' brain that adapts to your driving style. "This is the first time we've engineered the transmission to match both a turbo engine and an all-wheel-drive application," said Mr Worthington.

"Turbo Territory customers will enjoy the high degree of sensible fun factor we have engineered into the vehicle. When asked to perform, it can cater to the enthusiast in each of us while still delivering sure-footed car-like ride and handling." 

Finally, you may be pleased to hear that the interior has also come in for some changes in the Territory Turbo range: "Our research helped determine that darker colours create an interior which is both alluring and exciting, exactly the attributes we wanted to convey in the new turbo models," said Colour and Trim Design Manager, Ms Debbie Pascoe.

"It also creates a real impact when someone gets into the vehicle – the interior is quite different from anything currently available in the Ford range and thus delivers a unique sense of elegance and prestige."

Ford terms the $53,990 Territory Turbo's interior decor as a "warm charcoal environment with eucalyptus contrast" and it features black suede style seat trim and a 4-way power drivers seat is standard. The luxurious Territory Ghia Turbo also gets a warm charcoal interior, but gets leather seats also finished in a warm charcoal colour and featuring silver stitching and a 6-way power driver seat with memory function.

Pricing:

 Territory Turbo: $53,990
Territory Ghia Turbo: $65,490