Ford Territory
Encyclopedia
The Ford Territory is a crossover SUV
built by Ford Australia
and based on the EA169 platform of the Ford BA Falcon
. It was released in April 2004. Its code name inside Ford was E265. It won the 2004 Wheels Car of the Year
award, the reviewers praising car-like handling and practicality as reasons for its win. Ford had reportedly spent A$
500 million on developing the range over four years.
Ford introduced the Territory alongside the existing Falcon wagon, which was built on the same production line. Ford Australia senior executives expected the Falcon wagon to be discontinued soon after the introduction of the Territory, surmising that Falcon wagon sales would substantially decline as fleet buyers migrated to the Territory. However, the two models co-existed because the Falcon wagon retained much of its fleet sales base and the Territory appealed mainly to private buyers.
South Africa
n sales for the Territory began in 2005. Exports to Thailand began in 2006, with the Thai model being offered only in AWD Ghia trim.
, Peugeot
and Citroen
. It will use the ZF six-speed auto exclusively across the range. The engine will emit up to 25 percent less CO2 compared to the current 4.0L inline-six.
engine from the Falcon, developing 182 kW.
Appearance-wise, the Territory resembles the Ford Taurus X
sold in North America. Both cars have similar styling cues—it was this that sold the Territory to Ford executives at the head office in Dearborn, Michigan
. Simon Butterworth, who was behind the Ford Falcon facelift of 2003, styled the Territory but had worked with his American counterpart, J Mays
, in working in the global Ford "DNA". Marcus Hotblack worked on the Territory's interior, with a Swiss army knife
as a metaphor. Consequently, the car has touches such as flexible cupholders and a handbag holder to the side of the seat for female drivers, recognising that many SUV buyers are women.
Australian and New Zealand
SX series models are slightly different visually: all models sold in New Zealand have body-colour bumpers and alloy wheels, including the base model. Front light detail resembles that of jewellery
in a black box. In New Zealand, the only rear wheel drive model is the base version and all other models have all wheel drive; while in Australia, all models are available with either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.
The Ford Territory (SX) was the first Australian-built vehicle to be fitted with an electronic stability control system.
, using the anti-lock braking system
to control the car's motion downhill, inherited from Land Rover
.
Options of five seats (in two rows) or seven seats (in three rows) are available. The rows of seats are arranged in a "theatre
style", with the back row highest. They fold down smoothly into the floor. A DVD
player is available as an option on all models.
An updated SY model arrived in October 2005, bringing with it a ZF six-speed automatic transmission on all AWD models and an increase in power to 190 kW. The model also comes with a Rear Parking Camera (optional on the TS and standard on the Ghia), another first for an Australian made vehicle.
Ford Australia introduced a turbo variant of the base engine, in mid 2006. The addition of the turbo boosted the engine performance to 245 kW and 480 newton metre of torque
An enhanced version of the Ford Territory was introduced by Ford Performance Vehicles
(FPV) in January 2008 as the "FPV F6X". It was fitted with the same 270 kW turbocharged engine as the FPV F6 and accelerates from 0–100 km/h (0–62.1 mph) in 5.9 seconds. The F6X was only available with all-wheel drive and the six-speed ZF automatic as fitted to the Ford FG Falcon
. The lack of sufficient differentiation from other Territory Turbo models and the significantly higher price meant it met with only limited success and it was discontinued in June 2009 when the SY II was introduced.
The SY II received a revised front suspension to address a well documented weakness in the front lower ball-joints. The previous design has the ball joints under constant tension which has resulted in some complete failures of the joint (causing the wheel to detach from the suspension and steering) and premature wear requiring lower control arm replacements after as little as 30000 kilometres (18,641.2 mi). The new system has the lower ball-joints under compression, eliminating the premature wear issue.
(ANCAP) crash test score. Models produced prior to this date were previously rated at four stars.
-sourced 2.7-litre V6 combined with the six-speed 6R80 automatic transmission produced by Ford in the US. Ford's 4.0-litre petrol inline six gains the modifications received by the FG Falcon
. Delivering 195 kW of power, the six will only be available on rear-wheel drive models, with all-wheel drive reserved for the diesel. Among the new safety features are a driver's knee airbag and updated stability control system, now version 9.0 by Bosch
incorporating an anti-roll-over function.
Single Responder units, and for similar roles in other ambulance services. It is also used by some fire brigades as a crew/equipment transport vehicle.
The Australian Federal Police and NSW Police both use the Territory Turbo as a VIP protection and escort vehicle.
Crossover SUV
A crossover SUV is a vehicle built on a car platform and combining, in highly variable degrees, features of a sport utility vehicle with features from a passenger vehicle, especially those of a station wagon or hatchback.Using the unibody construction typical of passenger vehicles, the crossover...
built by Ford Australia
Ford Australia
Ford Australia is the Australian subsidiary of Ford Motor Company and was founded in Geelong, Victoria, in 1925 as an outpost of Ford Motor Company of Canada, Limited. At that time, Ford Canada was a separate company from Ford USA...
and based on the EA169 platform of the Ford BA Falcon
Ford BA Falcon
The Ford BA Falcon is a full-size car, produced by the Ford Motor Company of Australia between September 2002 and October 2005. The exterior styling of the BA was a substantial revision of that used for the preceding AU model. A new independent rear suspension setup was fitted to all sedan...
. It was released in April 2004. Its code name inside Ford was E265. It won the 2004 Wheels Car of the Year
Wheels Car of the Year
Wheels magazine has announced its Car of the Year every year since 1963, with the exception of 1972, 1979 and 1986 when no cars were considered worthy of the honour . It is considered Australia's most prestigious automotive award...
award, the reviewers praising car-like handling and practicality as reasons for its win. Ford had reportedly spent A$
Australian dollar
The Australian dollar is the currency of the Commonwealth of Australia, including Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, and Norfolk Island, as well as the independent Pacific Island states of Kiribati, Nauru and Tuvalu...
500 million on developing the range over four years.
Ford introduced the Territory alongside the existing Falcon wagon, which was built on the same production line. Ford Australia senior executives expected the Falcon wagon to be discontinued soon after the introduction of the Territory, surmising that Falcon wagon sales would substantially decline as fleet buyers migrated to the Territory. However, the two models co-existed because the Falcon wagon retained much of its fleet sales base and the Territory appealed mainly to private buyers.
South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
n sales for the Territory began in 2005. Exports to Thailand began in 2006, with the Thai model being offered only in AWD Ghia trim.
Powertrains
The Territory is sold with two engine choices, the 4.0L inline-six engine as the standard engine, and a turbo charged six-cylinder version in the Turbo model. The base engine is available in RWD and AWD. The RWD model has a four-speed automatic gearbox, and the AWD has the ZF six-speed auto. The turbo model only comes in AWD. In 2010 Ford will update the current 4.0L inline-six to meet strict Euro 4 emission standards. In 2011 Ford will introduce a new model with the 2.7L diesel V6 that is shared with Land RoverLand Rover
Land Rover is a British car manufacturer with its headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire, United Kingdom which specialises in four-wheel-drive vehicles. It is owned by the Indian company Tata Motors, forming part of their Jaguar Land Rover group...
, Peugeot
Peugeot
Peugeot is a major French car brand, part of PSA Peugeot Citroën, the second largest carmaker based in Europe.The family business that precedes the current Peugeot company was founded in 1810, and manufactured coffee mills and bicycles. On 20 November 1858, Emile Peugeot applied for the lion...
and Citroen
Citroën
Citroën is a major French automobile manufacturer, part of the PSA Peugeot Citroën group.Founded in 1919 by French industrialist André-Gustave Citroën , Citroën was the first mass-production car company outside the USA and pioneered the modern concept of creating a sales and services network that...
. It will use the ZF six-speed auto exclusively across the range. The engine will emit up to 25 percent less CO2 compared to the current 4.0L inline-six.
SX (2004–2005)
The original model was the SX and was produced between 2004 and 2005. The engine was the 4.0-litre DOHC straight-six BarraFord Barra engine
The Barra engines are a family of straight 6s and V8s assembled by Ford Australia since 2002. The V8s are built in Windsor, Ontario by the Ford Motor Company and are shipped un-assembled to Australia. Production of the straight 6 is scheduled to continue until at least 2013...
engine from the Falcon, developing 182 kW.
Appearance-wise, the Territory resembles the Ford Taurus X
Ford Taurus X
The Ford Taurus X was a 6- or 7-passenger full-size crossover SUV that was produced by Ford Motor Company in the United States. It was originally introduced in 2005 as the Ford Freestyle, before being renamed Taurus X for the 2008 model year. In Ford's lineup, it replaced the Ford Taurus station...
sold in North America. Both cars have similar styling cues—it was this that sold the Territory to Ford executives at the head office in Dearborn, Michigan
Dearborn, Michigan
-Economy:Ford Motor Company has its world headquarters in Dearborn. In addition its Dearborn campus contains many research, testing, finance and some production facilities. Ford Land controls the numerous properties owned by Ford including sales and leasing to unrelated businesses such as the...
. Simon Butterworth, who was behind the Ford Falcon facelift of 2003, styled the Territory but had worked with his American counterpart, J Mays
J Mays
J Mays, born in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma, U.S., is Group Vice President of Global Design and Chief Creative Officer at Ford Motor Company. His name is simply "J", named after his grandfather, S J Mays.-Background:...
, in working in the global Ford "DNA". Marcus Hotblack worked on the Territory's interior, with a Swiss army knife
Swiss Army knife
The Swiss Army knife is a brand of pocket knife or multi-tool manufactured by Victorinox AG and Wenger SA. The term "Swiss Army knife" was coined by US soldiers after World War II due to the difficulty they had in pronouncing the German name....
as a metaphor. Consequently, the car has touches such as flexible cupholders and a handbag holder to the side of the seat for female drivers, recognising that many SUV buyers are women.
Australian and New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
SX series models are slightly different visually: all models sold in New Zealand have body-colour bumpers and alloy wheels, including the base model. Front light detail resembles that of jewellery
Jewellery
Jewellery or jewelry is a form of personal adornment, such as brooches, rings, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets.With some exceptions, such as medical alert bracelets or military dog tags, jewellery normally differs from other items of personal adornment in that it has no other purpose than to...
in a black box. In New Zealand, the only rear wheel drive model is the base version and all other models have all wheel drive; while in Australia, all models are available with either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.
The Ford Territory (SX) was the first Australian-built vehicle to be fitted with an electronic stability control system.
Specification levels
Both rear- and all-wheel drive configurations were offered in three trim levels. All-wheel drive models have an optional Hill Descent Control systemHill Descent Control system
Four-wheel-drive and All Wheel Drive vehicles such as the Australian made Ford Territory may have a Hill Descent Control system installed, using the ABS braking to control the car's motion downhill, initially developed by Bosch for Land Rover...
, using the anti-lock braking system
Anti-lock braking system
An anti-lock braking system is a safety system that allows the wheels on a motor vehicle to continue interacting tractively with the road surface as directed by driver steering inputs while braking, preventing the wheels from locking up and therefore avoiding skidding.An ABS generally offers...
to control the car's motion downhill, inherited from Land Rover
Land Rover
Land Rover is a British car manufacturer with its headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire, United Kingdom which specialises in four-wheel-drive vehicles. It is owned by the Indian company Tata Motors, forming part of their Jaguar Land Rover group...
.
Options of five seats (in two rows) or seven seats (in three rows) are available. The rows of seats are arranged in a "theatre
Theatre
Theatre is a collaborative form of fine art that uses live performers to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place. The performers may communicate this experience to the audience through combinations of gesture, speech, song, music or dance...
style", with the back row highest. They fold down smoothly into the floor. A DVD
DVD
A DVD is an optical disc storage media format, invented and developed by Philips, Sony, Toshiba, and Panasonic in 1995. DVDs offer higher storage capacity than Compact Discs while having the same dimensions....
player is available as an option on all models.
- TX:
- TS: added side curtain airbags (optional on TX), which were a first for an Australian made car.
- Ghia:
SY (2005–2009)
Ford Australia introduced a turbo variant of the base engine, in mid 2006. The addition of the turbo boosted the engine performance to 245 kW and 480 newton metre of torque
An enhanced version of the Ford Territory was introduced by Ford Performance Vehicles
Ford Performance Vehicles
Ford Performance Vehicles is the Melbourne-based, premium performance vehicle partner of automobile manufacturer Ford Australia. The company, which is as a joint venture between Prodrive and Ford Australia, has produced a range of Ford based models under the FPV brand name since April...
(FPV) in January 2008 as the "FPV F6X". It was fitted with the same 270 kW turbocharged engine as the FPV F6 and accelerates from 0–100 km/h (0–62.1 mph) in 5.9 seconds. The F6X was only available with all-wheel drive and the six-speed ZF automatic as fitted to the Ford FG Falcon
Ford FG Falcon
The Ford FG Falcon is a full-size car produced by the Ford Motor Company of Australia since 2008. The FG series is the current model of the Ford Falcon and is the seventh generation of the car...
. The lack of sufficient differentiation from other Territory Turbo models and the significantly higher price meant it met with only limited success and it was discontinued in June 2009 when the SY II was introduced.
SY II (2009–2011)
The SY II facelift was revealed at the 2009 Melbourne International Motor Show. It consists of moderate front-end changes as well as other minor exterior changes. The interior gets upholstery changes across the range, with the old colour schemes being replaced with more modern ones.Specification levels
- TX: receives body-coloured bumpers and alloy wheels standard over the SY.
- TS: also gains body-coloured bumpers, newly designed alloy wheels as well as third-row seats standard.
- Ghia: models get mirror mounted side indicators, new alloy wheels, privacy glass for the rear windows and third-row seats standard.
The SY II received a revised front suspension to address a well documented weakness in the front lower ball-joints. The previous design has the ball joints under constant tension which has resulted in some complete failures of the joint (causing the wheel to detach from the suspension and steering) and premature wear requiring lower control arm replacements after as little as 30000 kilometres (18,641.2 mi). The new system has the lower ball-joints under compression, eliminating the premature wear issue.
Safety
Through the addition of a front passenger seatbelt warning chime due to be implemented on cars produced from 11 January 2010, the entire Territory range will be rated the full five-star Australasian New Car Assessment ProgramAustralasian New Car Assessment Program
The Australasian New Car Assessment Program is an automobile organisation operated by the governments and motoring organisations of Australia and New Zealand to give consumers coherent results on the protection given by vehicles in front and side impact collisions...
(ANCAP) crash test score. Models produced prior to this date were previously rated at four stars.
SZ (2011–present)
Known as the SZ series, Ford Australia released official photos of the 2011 facelift model on February 8, 2011. The car now features a large lower air intake and thin upper grille. Titanium models feature LED marker lights, replacing the fog lights on the mid spec TS. The rear of the car now features horizontal style tail lights, replacing the vertical lights on previous models. The update will also see the introduction of diesel power. The interior now features a large eight-inch touch screen. The diesel Territory will use a Land RoverLand Rover
Land Rover is a British car manufacturer with its headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire, United Kingdom which specialises in four-wheel-drive vehicles. It is owned by the Indian company Tata Motors, forming part of their Jaguar Land Rover group...
-sourced 2.7-litre V6 combined with the six-speed 6R80 automatic transmission produced by Ford in the US. Ford's 4.0-litre petrol inline six gains the modifications received by the FG Falcon
Ford FG Falcon
The Ford FG Falcon is a full-size car produced by the Ford Motor Company of Australia since 2008. The FG series is the current model of the Ford Falcon and is the seventh generation of the car...
. Delivering 195 kW of power, the six will only be available on rear-wheel drive models, with all-wheel drive reserved for the diesel. Among the new safety features are a driver's knee airbag and updated stability control system, now version 9.0 by Bosch
Robert Bosch GmbH
Robert Bosch GmbH is a multinational engineering and electronics company headquartered in Gerlingen, near Stuttgart, Germany. It is the world's largest supplier of automotive components...
incorporating an anti-roll-over function.
Specification levels
- TX: 17-inch alloy wheels, iPod/USB integration, Bluetooth phone connectivity and cruise control.
- TS: as above but with additional 18-inch alloy wheels, 4-way power adjustable driver seat, 8-inch colour touch screen, front fog lights, dual-zone climate control, seven-seat capacity, premium audio system and reversing camera, 7-seat capacity.
- Titanium (formerly Ghia): as above but with additional LED running lights & turning lights in exterior rear view mirrors, chrome detailed front grille, 6-way power adjustable driver seat with 3 memory settings, privacy glass, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, satellite navigation with Traffic Message Channel, 10.2-inch rear DVD entertainment system and leather seat trim.
Territory as an emergency vehicle
The Territory is used in varying roles by several emergency services in Australia. Victoria Police use the Territory as a patrol car as well as specialist departments such as the Major Collision Investigation Unit. The Territory Turbo has been used by the Traffic Management Unit for traffic patrols. Ambulance Victoria uses the Territory for Mobile Intensive Care AmbulanceMobile Intensive Care Ambulance
Australian Mobile Intensive Care Ambulances are well-equipped ambulances staffed by highly trained paramedics dispatched to emergency situations where patients require a higher level of care than a regular ambulance can provide.- MICA Paramedics :...
Single Responder units, and for similar roles in other ambulance services. It is also used by some fire brigades as a crew/equipment transport vehicle.
The Australian Federal Police and NSW Police both use the Territory Turbo as a VIP protection and escort vehicle.