Ford Treads New Territory

Click here for a full Road Test of both AWD & RWD Territory models.

Ford Australia has a lot riding on its rugged new Territory crossover vehicle.

Starting at $38,990 for the rear-wheel drive (RWD) model and $42,990 for the all-wheel drive (AWD) version, the Ford Territory has been under development for four years, and Ford Australia has spent close to $500 million dollars bringing it to market.

For those who aren't aware, the Ford Territory is an AWD crossover wagon based on the Australian large car model, the BA Falcon.

It is actually being built on the same production line as the Falcon, and will inherit things such as the Falcon's 182kW straight 6-cylinder engine, its transmission and also an adapted iteration of the smooth Control Blade independent rear suspension rig.

The Ford Territory, however, has a completely different underbody structure to the Falcon, unique front suspension and an all-wheel drive system.

As the Vehicle Director for the Territory, Russell Christophers said that it completes a vehicular triangle of sorts with the vehicle dynamics of family sedan at the apex, a practical people mover in one corner and the ride height of a traditional SUV in the other.

"The idea for Territory began – as all great cars do – by recognising a customer need," said Christophers.

"Hours of extensive market research established a growing need for a vehicle combining the best characteristics of family sedans, traditional SUVs and people movers."

Interestingly, the Ford Territory will also be the only vehicle of its type in Australia to launch with both AWD and RWD variants.

"There is a significant group of customers out there who have told us that while they want a lot of the features and advantages that Territory will have, they don't need full-time AWD capability," continued Christophers.

"For these people, RWD Territory is a more logical progression from the traditional large sedan or wagon. Many of these customers have migrated into large 4WDs simply because they are looking for a higher ride height and interior flexibility.

"They have a limited, or in many cases no need for the 4WD capability of those vehicles but have previously had no option but to accept it and pay for it as standard equipment, just to get the package they wanted."

At it's core, the new 4856mm long Territory will be powered by Ford's 4.0-litre inline 6-cylinder mill, coupled to a four-speed automatic transmission with tiptronic (or sportshift) mode. No manual option will be available.

With a weight range of between 2005kg and 2085kg, the double camshaft engine should endow the Territory with ample acceleration.

With variable valve timing, the 4.0-litre engine generates 182kW @ 5000rpm, while 380Nm of torque @ 3250 rpm gifts the engine with a healthy midrange punch.

A high 6000rpm rev limit allows excellent top-end performance thanks to the 4-valves per cylinder configuration, and features such as the Territory's ignition system with long life spark plugs (with 150,000km life cycles) and a fail-safe cooling system, which progressively shuts down cylinders when the PCM detects engine overheating, add to the crossover's reliability.

This fail-safe cooling system, or 'limp-home' capability, allows the engine to run in the event of an emergency, such as a radiator hose leak, allowing the driver to reach a service station.

The AWD Territory will take advantage of a single-speed, full-time transfer case in conjunction with a four-wheel traction control system using brake and engine intervention to control wheel slip.

The transfer case is a single-speed, full-time open differential unit with torque splitting achieved via an internal planetary gear set.

Available engine torque will be distributed 62 per cent to the rear axle and 38 per cent to the front axle - the same default torque bias as seen on Holden's Adventra.

AWD Territory variants will feature a finned, alloy plate air-to-oil auxiliary transmission oil cooler, which helps keep transmission fluid temperatures from rising too high when operating under severe conditions such as driving in sand, or towing heavy loads.

If a heavy duty towing pack is optioned on a RWD Territory, the same auxiliary cooler is specified as part of the package, which will be music to the ears of all boat owners.

All-paw versions of the Territory will feature Acutrac plus, which includes DSC as a standard feature.

Ford's vehicle dynamics manager Stephan Presser explained: "Customers wanting to head off the beaten track are more likely to opt for the AWD version of Territory and will have a greater chance of encountering the slippery conditions that DSC is designed to counter.

"DSC combines the advantages of Ford's Anti-Lock Braking (ABS) and Traction Control System (TCS) and multiplies the benefits of both," said Presser.

"It works in tandem with ABS – which prevents the wheels from locking when the brakes are applied and TCS – which limits wheelspin during acceleration.

"Traction control ensures the vehicle remains controllable under heavy acceleration that typically occurs when taking off on slippery roads, negotiating a hill or accelerating out of a corner."

Braking capacity on Territory has been increased when compared to the Ford Falcon, with front rotors on Territory measuring 322mm (Falcon was 298mm) and rear rotors 328 mm (Falcon was 303mm), with large twin piston calipers on the front and single piston calipers on the rear.

Furthermore, AWD Territory owners will have the option of including the added safety feature of a Hill Descent Control system on their vehicle.

In essence, the system regulates the speed at which Territory travels downhill, particularly in steep, or difficult, offroad conditions.

The system is engaged by the driver via a dash-mounted switch and automatically applies the brakes if a hill is detected, controlling the vehicle's descent speed.

The anti-lock braking system (ABS) automatically operates if changes in surface occur and the wheel sensors detect different wheel speeds.

"Once the system is engaged, the driver doesn't need to use any of the pedals," continued Presser. "The system takes charge, and individually brakes each wheel to maintain a steady 4 km/h descent. The driver only has to steer the car."

Presser said the speed of the descent could be increased using the steering wheel-mounted cruise control buttons.

"The default speed is 4 km/h, but the driver can set a preferred speed simply by using the cruise control buttons in steps of 1 km/h, up to a maximum speed of 25 km/h. The speed selected by the driver remains the set speed until the system is switched off or until the brakes are applied."

In addition to its respectable array of AWD features and it's powerful engine, the Territory also has good looks on its side, with conservative styling that, while offering rugged cues in the form of its flared wheel arches and strong front end, gives it a slight European flavour. Having seen it on the blacktop, we can say that it also has plenty of road presence.

"One of the real attributes of Territory is just how good the rear of the car looks; it has a presence that many vehicles in this class just don't have," said Simon Butterworth, Ford's Asia Pacific design director, speaking about the new design.

"We had some healthy discussions with Ford Design Vice President J Mays, who was very supportive of getting this strength and Ford DNA into Territory. That meant we were able to improve the stance of the vehicle, making the attitude and body section much stronger. The final design has an inert poise, an athletic stance, emphasised by the short front and rear overhangs."

Ford Australia has a lot riding on the new crossover vehicle, as it will go up against Holden's Adventra, and losing out to the Holden Commodore-based wagon would hurt the Blue Oval as it truly believes it has the better vehicle. Stay tuned to our Road Test section in the coming months to see if this is the case.

Territory customers will be able to choose either an entry or a high series vehicle with both available with the choice of either rear-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive.

"Territory will offer Australian consumers a range of choices with their vehicle they haven't experienced before," said Ford Australia Marketing and Sales Vice President, Bruce McDonald.

"The different specification levels will allow them to choose the exterior and interior appointments that matter most to them, while also allowing them to have either RWD or AWD capabilities."

The entry-level Territory TX will be generously equipped with standard safety features including traction control, anti-lock brakes, and front airbags. Creature comforts will include air-conditioning, CD player, electric windows, power seats and power-adjustable pedals.

The range-topping Territory Ghia includes standard leather seat trim, cruise control, a six-stack CD player, alloy wheels, side curtain airbags and Reverse Sensing System. A new mid-series Territory (the TS) will join the line-up in the fourth quarter of 2004.

The TS comes complete with the high end instrument panel and centre console as Ghia, incorporating the Ford premium sound system and dual zone climate control air-conditioning. It will also feature unique alloy wheels and side curtain airbags.

The AWD vehicles feature the same equipment levels as their RWD equivalents, but come with the Acutrac Plus handling system, which includes the latest Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system and Hill Descent Control.

After what appeared to be a slow start, the Holden Adventra AWD crossover wagon has now been on sale for a few months, and the figures are on the upswing.

At the end of the March 2004, Holden had sold 261 Adventras for the month, which gives it a 5.7 per cent market share and puts it in fourth spot on the sales charts behind the likes of the Toyota Kluger and the Mitsubishi Pajero in the 'Medium SUV' market segment.

But even if the Ford is a better vehicle, the Adventra has had few months lead-in time, which is often crucial in gaining market share, and particularly in new areas such as crossover vehicles.

At the same token however, Ford looks to have the more advanced 4WD system, and some will suggest that the Adventra's entry level pricepoint of $52,990 will be its undoing when the $42,990 AWD territory rocks onto the scene, not to mention the RWD model that lobs for under $40k.

Pricing:

Territory TX RWD $38,990
Territory TX AWD $42,990

Territory TS RWD $44,790
Territory TS AWD $48,790

Territory Ghia RWD $49,290
Territory Ghia AWD $53,290