No more playing games: Territory finally launched
"Territory will redefine the local automotive market."
– Geoff Polites, President, Ford Australia, 1999-2004
Four years and $500 million of exhaustive research, design, engineering and testing culminate today with the launch of the new Ford Territory.
Territory represents the latest development of a continuing tradition of innovation and ingenuity at Ford Australia.
Designed to adapt endlessly to the ever-changing needs of Australian motorists, Territory offers car-like styling and vehicle dynamics with the versatility of a traditional SUV or people mover.
Territory will be built on the same assembly line as Falcon and shares the award winning Falcon's engine, transmission and an adaptation of the critically acclaimed Control Blade IRS.
Territory, however, has a completely different underbody structure, unique front suspension and an all-wheel drive system incorporating the latest global technology.
"The idea for Territory began – as all great cars do – by recognising a customer need," said Vehicle Director Russell Christophers.
Christophers took the lead in researching and developing the Territory concept in 1999.
"Hours of extensive market research established a growing need for a vehicle combining the best characteristics of family sedans, traditional SUVs and people movers.
"The owners of these traditional vehicles were all reasonably happy, but could quickly identify areas where their vehicle didn't quite match their wants and needs.
"Family sedan owners loved their car's performance and handling, but wished the car was more adaptable to their lifestyle.
"SUV owners loved the command driving position and the interior versatility, but wished their vehicle could handle more like a car than a truck – particularly in city driving. Most freely admitted to never exploiting the off-road capability of those vehicle's 4WD systems and said they weren't happy with the upfront and ongoing costs.
"People movers offer great practicality to their owners, but almost to a person they commented on the lack of aspiration of driving such a vehicle, and hated being 'the bus driver'."
Christophers said Ford created a triangle with a family sedan at the apex, a people mover in one corner and a traditional SUV in the other.
"In the middle lay an area for a hybrid vehicle that could offer the best of all those vehicles, a sweet spot waiting to be hit.
"Territory does more than hit that sweet spot. It smacks it out of the stadium."
Territory has been created to be equally at home in urban or outdoor environments, with a flexible interior offering functionality and versatility for up to seven people, without sacrificing on style or aesthetics.
Territory will also be the only vehicle of its type in Australia to launch with both all-wheel drive (AWD) and rear-wheel drive (RWD) variants.
Rear-wheel drive customers will enjoy the other benefits of Territory's extensive engineering program, along with the style, command driving position and interior flexibility benefits inherent in the new vehicle.
"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," said 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.
"The RWD Territory offers the command driving position and flexibility customers want in a vehicle perfectly suited to those people with no ambition to venture off the beaten track."
Christophers said Territory was the ultimate lifestyle package.
"Territory is practical and versatile, with an interior that accommodates an active lifestyle while being stylish and fun to drive.
"Its combination of styling, features, performance, safety and outstanding value for money make the new Territory one of the finest cars to ever roll off a Ford assembly line."
Choose your own Territory
CHOOSE YOUR OWN TERRITORY
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 RWD Territory TX will feature the Acutrac handling system, combining an all-new Virtual Pivot Control Link front suspension and optimised version of the award-winning Control Blade IRS.
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 first local application of the latest Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system that modulates braking and engine torque to enhance stability.
AWD owners can also option their vehicle to include Hill Descent Control.
FORD TERRITORY MODEL BY MODEL
TERRITORY TX RWD
Barra 182 4.0-litre DOHC, dual equal VCT I6 engine with ETC
Air conditioning
Power driver’s seat (4 way)
Front and rear power windows
Auto headlamps off (when locked by keypad)
Steering wheel audio controls
Sequential Sports Shift automatic gearbox
Descent grade logic
Interior Command Centre
Tissue box holder (with tissues)
Single CD
Trip computer
Eucalyptus seat fabric
17-inch steel wheels
Front passenger grab handle
60/40-split fold second row seat
Optional third row seat
Optional sliding second row seat (standard when third row seat fitted)
Anti-lock brakes with Electronic Brake Distribution
Traction control
Glovebox lamp
Power adjustable pedals
Painted accent color bumpers and mouldings (with body colour option)
12-volt power outlet in front console
12-volt power outlet in second row seat console
12-volt power outlet in rear luggage area
30 storage compartments (7-seat model)
32 storage compartments (5-seat model)
TERRITORY TX AWD
As with Territory TX RWD but with the following features:
All-Wheel Drive
Dynamic Stability Control
Optional Hill Descent Control
TERRITORY GHIA RWD
As Territory TX RWD but with the following additional features:
Automatic headlamps on/off
Dual zone climate control air conditioning
Leather seat trim in Eucalyptus
Leather wrapped Sequential Sports Shifter
Leather steering wheel
Cruise control
17-inch alloy wheels
Full body color-coded bumpers and mouldings
Electrochromatic rear vision mirror
Six-way power driver's seat with memory function
Front and rear door courtesy lamps
Sun visor vanity mirror lamps
Premium 6 Stack CD Player (7 speakers)
Premium Interior Command Centre with colour TFT display screen
Overhead console
Footwell illumination (front)
Trip computer (ICC located)
Fog lamps
Reverse Sensing System
Cargo shelf
Cargo net
31 storage compartments (7-seat model)
33 storage compartments (5-seat model)
Side curtain airbag
TERRITORY GHIA AWD
As with Entry AWD but with the following features:
All-Wheel Drive
Dynamic Stability Control
Optional Hill Descent Control