No more playing games: Territory finally launched

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"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."

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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

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DRAWING INTO NEW TERRITORY

Ford Australia's designers were presented with a genuine challenge in creating the new Ford Territory.

"We had to create a vehicle that embodied the strength and power of a traditional SUV, while having the prestige, agility and nimbleness of a sporting sedan," said Ford Asia Pacific Design Director Simon Butterworth.

"All the market research and hours of customer focus groups pointed to the same fact. Australians like the strength of a traditional SUV but don't like the baggage that comes with such a vehicle.

"They dislike the lack of manoeuverability in the city, where most of these vehicles are driven. Quite often the driving experience is one they don't want to remember.

"The element they did like was the overall versatility such a vehicle gave them.

"From a design perspective, we had to take the strengths of an SUV and drive those elements the customers liked into a design that had a lot of car-like attributes as well."

Butterworth said he and Exterior Design Manager Graham Wadsworth focussed on three key areas for the exterior design of Territory.

Strength

Butterworth said incorporating the strength of a traditional SUV into Territory was a key element of the exterior design.

"We had a really frantic period of time where we devoted a lot of time to really strengthening the exterior 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.

"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."

Butterworth said while incorporating strength was a key component, it was just as important to maintain a clean design.

"We worked hard to make a connection with what was happening on the front end and mirror that at the rear. This is typified by the way the cut line runs through the body.

Butterworth said he likened Territory to a runner on the starting blocks.

"There's strength and a latent, muscular feel about a runner. We wanted to incorporate some of that latent potential into the side view.

"The cut line of the rear bumper relates well to forward motion, which is very important from a design perspective."

Butterworth said Territory was a vehicle designed to appeal to a youthful market.

"Buying into Territory is all about youthful lifestyle and there's just a bucket load of what the Australian lifestyle offers in this vehicle.

"That's something we really wanted to use from a design philosophy point of view. Looking at the subtle changes of the vehicle from initial design to the last round of research, I believe we have hit the button big time."

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CUTTING EDGE INTERIOR

The Ford Territory signals a new era in automotive interior design.

Every interior element of the groundbreaking vehicle has been designed with one simple philosophy uppermost in the minds of Ford's interior specialists – Territory must be endlessly adaptable to the Australian lifestyle.

Interior Design Manager Marcus Hotblack said his team used the famous Swiss army knife as the inspiration for their work.

"A Swiss army knife has every gadget under the sun and can literally do anything in any situation. We wanted the interior of Territory to be like that.

"The Swiss army knife embodies the whole multi-function nature of Territory."

Territory will offer capacity for seven adults to travel in comfort, with each row of seats located higher than the one in front of it.

This innovative 'theatre style' seating design means passengers in the second and optional third row of seats will be able to see more and also provides excellent ergonomics to ensure a comfortable ride.

"One of the main reasons a lot of customers purchase SUVs is because they are positioned high and feel in command of their surroundings – but they don't like having to climb up into the vehicle," said Hotblack.

"The first thing you'll notice about Territory is the ease of access. There's no climb into the cabin. You'll simply step across into it.

"The command driving position in Territory provides good vision in typical urban driving situations, such as manoeuvring the vehicle in shopping centre car parks."

Hotblack said passengers would enjoy similar levels of comfort with excellent visibility.

"We have added the option of an independently sliding second row seat, which can be moved backward or forward to provide extra leg room for passengers in the second or third row seat."

The second row seat features a 60/40 split-fold function and can be folded flat via a unique 'kneeling' seat arrangement – as the seat folds forward the seat base drops down and literally 'kneels', which means the seat cushion doesn't hold the back up.

Hotblack said Territory was designed for the second and third row headrests to stay with the seats when they are folded flat, unlike with many other vehicles.

"The third row seats can't be removed but they can be configured to fold flat into the floor so that when both the second and third row seats are folded down there is a long, flat load space for flexible cargo carrying.

"The target third row seat occupants are generally children and teenagers, but the vehicle has all the safety systems to cater for adult passengers in the third row, giving full seven seat capacity when required.”

Territory will also feature an amazing number of interior storage areas – with 30 separate compartments in the entry-level seven-seater vehicle and an astonishing 33 in the high series five seater.

The instrument panel includes a glovebox, a centre compartment and a top tray, while the centre console houses a tissue box holder, gearshift lever trinket bin, two cup holders, a bin and a removable rubbish bin.

The front row has two front door map pockets, two flexible drink bottle holders, two compartments beside the seat and a lockable under seat bin.

The second row houses two door map pockets, two flexible drink bottle holders, two centre armrest cup holders and two seat pockets.

The optional third row includes two armrest bins and two cup holders, while rear and overhead storage is made up of a large rear load floor bin (five seater only), a small rear load floor bin, a compartment to house the jack, an overhead sunglass compartment (high series) and a cargo net (high series).

"The high number of storage compartments is in direct response to feedback we got from customers in the numerous design clinics conducted as part of the Territory program," said Hotblack.

"They include compartments designed to cope with life in the 21st century, such as a lockable storage area that can house items such as a mobile phone and personal organiser and slides under the driver's seat away from prying eyes."

Handbags and large bottles are amply catered for in Territory's capacious interior.

The storage compartments located in both driver and passenger seat sides can easily hold a large bottle or a handbag – items which typically are left to roll around on the back seat or footwell.

Hotblack said Territory's interior was designed to cater for the active, outdoor way of life enjoyed by Australians.

"Territory five seater features two large storage areas underneath the rear floor that can house sporting equipment or wet towels from a day at the beach.

"As well, a reversible wet and dry rear floor panel is included on five-seat vehicles, allowing owners to transport wet surf gear or take a trip to the local nursery without damaging the luggage compartment floor."

Territory boasts six cup holders in total, with two for each row of seats.

"We've also taken the drink holder concept one step further, with flexible drink bottle holders in each of the front and rear doors.

"Territory also includes three power sources and space for a travel fridge – which will be available as an option on all models. That's just part of an extensive accessory collection.

"Practicality has been a priority too. For example, one of the storage compartments in Territory is a rubbish bin, which can be removed and safely cleaned in a household dishwasher.

"Similarly, the rubber coated front row cup holder is removable for ease of cleaning."

Hotblack said there were two specific aims the interior design set out to achieve.

"The higher seating position of Territory enabled the design team to make all the interior surfaces feel lower, creating a feeling of spaciousness.

"The other thing we wanted to achieve was creating what we call a T-shape. This is the central spine running up to a T-form on the dashboard, reinforcing the strong image of a robust, lifestyle vehicle. We have built on the aesthetic 'DNA' created by the acclaimed BA range and have successfully evolved the direction to this active lifestyle package.

"That has helped in creating an interior that includes all the passengers, making them feel part of the interior and not alienated from it. At the same time it gives the driver a feeling of control with its driver-orientated cockpit, something our customers were emphatic about. It's an active family vehicle, and the T-shape definitely helps reinforce that theme."

Hotblack said catering to the needs of customers was key.

"From day one, the needs of the customer have been uppermost in our minds.

"We were constantly thinking about the customer's interaction with the interior – what they're looking for, what they want.

"We included features that are enduring and usable – not just gimmicks. They include a sturdy folding load space cover, which perfectly complements the liftglass feature at the rear and gives the vehicle a beautifully tailored look.

"We targeted an active family feel and I'm confident we hit the bullseye with the finished product.

"Territory has a fantastic interior package we're very proud of – boasting an interior design and ambience perfectly suited to the active Australian way of life," Hotblack said.

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COLOURFUL TERRITORY

When the Ford Territory colour and trim designers went looking for inspiration, they found it in the form of the humble sports shoe.

"Our brief was to create a modern, energetic and fresh interior environment," said Colour and Trim Design Manager Sharon Gauci.

"The trigger for the colour and trim program was found in the developments, technologies and mixtures of materials found in a sports shoe.

"We used a single image of a sports shoe to define the trim and finishes program for Territory.

"By juxtaposing different materials, textures, details and hints of colour we have managed to create a dynamic interior ambience."

Gauci said particular attention had been paid to tiny details, such as small contrasting colour accents.

"The mix of opposing technical and leather grains brings elements of the interior to life, in line with design items found in the home or office such as computers, mobile phones, or on the underside of sport shoes etc."

Gauci said the Territory interior colour strategy was to provide an active, versatile and new interior environment.

"We designed a family of colour called Eucalyptus, taking its inspiration from the famous native tree. It was important to bring the outside in. With so many lifestyle shows, we have a fascination with plants and gardening at the moment. Also the spaces in our homes that were once defined as outside and inside are now being blurred.

"With a hint of green, the Eucalyptus family is an innovative, modern, fresh and very urban colour palette.

"Accent colours in orange, silver, white and black all complement the Eucalyptus family and are injected throughout the Territory interior."

Gauci said the Territory interior fabrics were deliberately simple in their design.

"The design team was very much influenced by directions in active apparel and footwear. We were seeing strong influences and cross over in street wear, sport wear and comfort wear, with the boundaries between these fashion directions no longer defined but quite relaxed.

"So with these directions in mind, we set out to design sporty, active fabrics.

"The designs are structured, linear patterns with a fresh and energetic 'city' approach of casual, upbeat motifs.

"The designs are simple and uncomplicated, with high and low effects in the fabric as well as micro-shapes within shapes."

Gauci said the predominantly functional nature of the interior demanded the fabric didn't dominate the environment.

"The colour, the look and especially the handle of the fabric were extremely important elements in achieving harmony, security and grounding qualities.

"The leather strategy is, once again, a simple design philosophy that is crisp and taut in appearance, but overall very relaxed.

"The beautiful soft feel of the leather is enhanced by small details such as the double stitching and perforated leather inserts.

"We think it all comes together beautifully," said Gauci.

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CUSTOMERS TO FIND FRIENDLY TERRITORY

Delivering on customer needs is clearly evident in Territory's ergonomics package.

"From a design perspective, Territory's interior gave us a great challenge, as we wanted to really deliver on a host of package and ergonomic requirements," said Ford Design Director Simon Butterworth.

"There's a lot of ingenuity incorporated into Territory, with a lot of clever thought devoted to thinking about the driver and all the passengers.

"We had to ensure we catered for the needs of up to seven people sitting in the vehicle at the one time, ensuring all the controls were in the right place and maximising the storage capability of the vehicle.

"We also needed to think about how people would use Territory, and how we could best use the available space for needs of individual customers."

Fortunately, the package and ergonomic engineers had an excellent base to start from.

"Territory represents a package engineer's dream," said Package and Ergonomics Attribute Leader Roger Lewis.

"It has the roominess to suit a broad range of occupants, the visibility and ingress/egress to suit people at all life stages and plenty of storage capacity.

"All this flexibility is contained inside a vehicle that is physically no bigger than a Falcon, providing the customer with the freedom to enjoy the driving experience."

Lewis said customers would enjoy the command driving position.

"The driver's seat in Territory is higher off the floor than in a sedan. This has provided the vehicle with excellent ingress/egress, as the hip-point – or H-point – is about the same height from the ground as an average adult's hips when they are standing next to the vehicle.

"You don't climb up into Territory and you don't sit down into it either. You just slide into the vehicle, which is a real advantage.

"We have all-new seat designs for Territory, with 55mm of height adjustment in the four-way power driver's seat that is standard on the entry level model. The high series range will come standard with six-way power driver's seat with a memory function.

"That means we have excellent height adjustment and the capacity to easily accommodate people up to 194cm.

"In another first for an Australian vehicle, power adjustable pedals will be standard on Territory. This will allow occupants of all shapes and sizes to assume a safer, more comfortable driving position.

"Power adjustable pedals are especially useful for smaller drivers, eliminating the uncomfortable compromise of bunching their arms up against the steering wheel.

"Being able to adjust the pedals rearward allows them to stretch their legs to a more comfortable position, and then adjust the steering wheel to suit."

The rear flip glass on Territory opens to enable customers to place items in the rear cargo section without opening the lift gate.

The plastic appliqué extends much lower than the edge of the glass, allowing shorter people easier access to get items in and out of Territory.

"We have doors that open to 65 degrees (front) and 70 degrees (rear). In addition, when the door is restricted – say in a tight car park – Territory customers will still have excellent access to all seats.

"We've achieved this by having an all-new A-pillar structure with new hinges. The front of the door opening aperture has been pulled forward 60mm."

Lewis said the package team worked hard on keeping the floor to rocker sill height to a minimum.

"We were very particular about the step-over width. That's the distance between the H-point and the extreme outboard of the vehicle.

"Allowing people to get in and out of the vehicle in one movement was paramount to the team and we fought hard to keep that step-over width to a minimum."

Lewis said young families would appreciate the detail and thought that had gone into constructing the second row seat.

"The second row H-point, like the front seat, is about 750mm off the ground, which makes the second row seat particularly good if you have children with booster or child safety seats. Parents will not have to lean all the way into the car to buckle up their children.

"Easy access to the second row seat is provided by having the door opening with a fully upright C-pillar and the top of the rear door being a fair way from the customer's head. It makes putting anything in the second row seat a very easy task."

Lewis said Territory provided a high, upright driving position that generated a number of advantages.

"It's great for visibility because you can easily see further forward over the bonnet.

"We focussed on visibility for Territory, particularly being able to see all around the vehicle. It's important not just for driving safety, but also when reversing the vehicle out of your driveway and being aware of children or pets in close proximity."


Territory owners will particularly enjoy the excellent and well thought-out ergonomics of the vehicle.

"The grab handle, the position of the window switches, the door handle, the shifter and the pedals are all positioned so a wide range of customers can easily set themselves up in an excellent seating position with all controls in easy reach."

Lewis explained that Territory engineers had remained faithful to the three pillars of ergonomics.

"The first is findability – literally being able to find the right button at the right time.

"The second is accessibility – once you've found the right button, can you actually reach it?

"The third is useability – is the button intuitive, does it work the way you'd expect it to without having to consult the owner's manual?"

Lewis said there was much more to the field of ergonomics than posture.

"It's very much being able to have the driver or passengers interact with the vehicle quickly, so they don't have to take their eyes off the road.

"We've been able to achieve high levels with Territory through the use of Ramsis manikins. These are three dimension manikins created from large, anthropometric databases.

"These manikins are recreated with Computer Aided Design (CAD) so we can engender a number of manikins with a variety of shapes and sizes, from small children to 97th percentile adults.

"By using these manikins during the design process, we can accurately demonstrate what parameters we're trying to meet, whether it be accessing the CD player, finger curl around the steering wheel or reaching the indicator stalks.

"We used software that helps us to mould the instrument panel so we can look at things like visibility through the steering wheel.

"We employed CAD to a major degree in the design of BA Falcon, but the Territory program has taken that process to a new level," Lewis said.

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Ford pushes into new Territory
By Toby Hagon
The Age
Thursday April 22 2004

At its New Zealand launch, Toby Hagon explores a key component of Ford's Australian future -- and finds the much-heralded 2WD/AWD is competent but relatively heavy and thirsty.

Meet Ford's two-tonne family car, which is not a four-wheel-drive. The Ford Territory looks acceptably stylish and deceptively compact, as far as 4WDs go, and the Falcon-based wagon packs a weighty punch, making it the biggest thing to come out of the company's Broadmeadows assembly line -- in more than one way.

Every Territory model weighs more than two tonnes (some nearly 2.2 tonnes), heavier than standard family cars by hundreds of kilograms. Even so, it is shorter than a Falcon.

Ford insists it's on to a winner and predicts the Territory will outsell the likes of Toyota's LandCruiser and Honda's CR-V by two to one.

Just like its main rival, the Toyota Kluger, the Ford Territory is aimed at finding middle ground between a wagon, people mover and 4WD, in one family-friendly package. But Ford insists the Territory is not a 4WD but an all-wheel-drive (AWD), the subtle difference indicating its light-duty off-road capabilities.


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The Territory is the first off-roader to be offered as a two-wheel-drive model, in an effort to broaden its appeal and give buyers that all-important off-road image -- complete with an upright seating position -- but without the added cost and weight of 4WD equipment.

That's turned into the $4000 question -- the price of the AWD system -- which Ford is predicting 60 percent of buyers will choose.

Speaking of money, the Territory AWD uses a claimed 13.5 L/100km of fuel, which is more than some V8s. Even as a 2WD its fuel consumption is above that of most passenger cars, at a claimed 13.1 L/100km, according to government figures.

Fuel costs aside, value is a big part of the Territory sales pitch. The entry-level TX -- as a 2WD -- sells for $38,990, including air-conditioning, power windows, remote locking, dual airbags and anti-lock brakes. Ford sees it as a viable alternative to existing wagons such as the Commodore and Falcon. Notable omissions include cruise control and side airbags, the latter being an $800 option.

The top-of-the-range Ghia sells from $49,290 and comes with such extras as alloy wheels, leather trim, foglights, cruise control, side airbags and reverse parking sensors.

Arriving in September is a mid-spec TS model, priced from $44,790, which includes things such as cruise control and side airbags.

Ford claims the Territory is a car designed in Australia, by Australians, for Australians. That the media launch was held in New Zealand appears illogical, although the company claims the diversity of roads and availability of snow was a determining factor.

The Territory was tested mostly in Australia and is part of a $500 million investment. It is "one of the most important new models" in the company's history, according to recently appointed president Tom Gorman. Witness the dozen media launches outlining everything from cupholders to the specifically designed tyres over the past two years.

To say Ford Australia is desperate to see the Territory a success is an understatement. From its June 1 on-sale date, Ford wants to sell more than 2000 Territorys a month, making it the best-selling off-roader.

Inside is a very Falcon theme, the dash a lightly redesigned version of the Falcon's, and the main controls very much part of the Ford family. The front seats offer a more spacious feel and superior driving position to that of a Falcon, and even in the middle row there's generous leg and headroom.

The Territory is a solid driving proposition. It's relatively quiet -- other than some back-seat roar generated from the tyres -- and the refinement is akin to that of a Falcon. The tall driving position, too, is appreciated and it doesn't have that enclosed feeling of a Falcon.

By 4WD standards the Territory is manoeuvrable in city streets. It sounds thoroughly Falcon but has a user-friendliness few off-roaders can match. Its car-derived set-up provides cornering assurance and the sort of comfort families will appreciate.

The Falcon's 4.0-litre engine makes good use of its 182kW of power, accelerating the Territory with ease, and the four-speed automatic provides respectably smooth changes. But the Territory has a serious thirst for fuel, sometimes slurping around 20 litres per 100 kilometres on our brief drive, but often as low as 15 L/100km. It's also prone to disconcerting clunks through the suspension.

Still, as a family truck it appears to have the appropriate credentials. The optional third row of seats (priced at $1500) provides flexibility between kid-carrying duties and load lugging. It's also well decked out with storage binnacles, with everything from cupholders to good-sized door pockets and sizeable covered bins.

Off-road, too, there's little doubt the Territory will perform the duties most expect of it, at least in 4WD guise. Despite a relatively low ground clearance of 178mm, it'll clear decent-sized obstacles, and the traction control system works to divert drive to the wheels that need it most.

But even Ford admits that the Territory will give up a long way before more respected off-roaders, such as Toyota's LandCruiser.


Territory tidbits
. The Territory uses a 4WD system almost identical to that used on the Holden Adventra and some BMWs, although Ford claims its system is superior because it uses a quieter-operating chain drive instead of the gear drive employed in the Holden.

. The Territory's ground clearance is lower than that of most off-roaders, at just 178mm. Even Ford's jacked-up two-wheel-drive Falcon RTV ute sits 215mm off the ground, and Holden's Adventra rides at 200mm. The company says it may soon offer a high-rise suspension kit.

. Ford revised its sales forecasts down on the Territory from an initial high of 30,000 a year to "as many as 25,000" a year. At those figures, though, the new off-roader will still outsell the best-selling 4WD of 2003, Toyota's Prado, by almost two-to-one.

. The Territory's rear luggage shelf was subjected to the ultimate design criterion -- it had to hold a slab of beer over bumpy roads. No word on whether they were cans or stubbies.

. The lightest Territory is still a hefty 2005kg, and that's only for the base rear-drive model. Considering there's an extra 80kg on 4WD models, it's a substantial vehicle.

. Safety is still an option on some Territorys, with side curtain airbags costing an extra $800 on base model cars. The electronic stability system, the first in an Australian-built car, helps control slides but only comes on 4WD models.

. The Territory has not been designed to take the Falcon's V8 engine. Instead, performance variants will use a turbocharged version of the in-line six-cylinder engine.

. Following the disaster that was the AU, the Territory was researched extensively to ensure it met customers' needs. It's designed to carry mountain bikes with minimal fuss, and the storage bin in the middle seats is dishwasher-safe to allow for easy cleaning.

. The Territory is roomier than the Falcon but 61mm shorter.

[Matra et Alpine]

The Territory's rear luggage shelf was subjected to the ultimate design criterion -- it had to hold a slab of beer over bumpy roads. No word on whether they were cans or stubbies.

Typical Aussie stereotype

LOVE IT.
Don't you just want to get the job doing that stress test.
Each day having to draw a new slab from stores coz the last one got 'damaged'

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or if they mysteriously "dissapeared"

half the country would be dying to get a job like that, provided it was VB, not Fosters being used. as much as fosters is linked to Australian society, i cant name anyone i know who actually likes the stuff. everyone seems to go for VB (maybe its about time for the melbourne gran prix to find a new sponsor then)

[Matra et Alpine]

or if they mysteriously "dissapeared"

half the country would be dying to get a job like that, provided it was VB, not Fosters being used. as much as fosters is linked to Australian society, i cant name anyone i know who actually likes the stuff. everyone seems to go for VB (maybe its about time for the melbourne gran prix to find a new sponsor then)

Castlemaine's probably got the bigger image in the UK.
Mainly down to the ads for XXXX, which took the piss out of the stereotype of the Aussie male
Don't like Fosters, but there again I'm a Scottish Real Ale ( 2 great breweries on my doorstep ) and the occasional Guinness

[fpv_gtho]

well XXXX i think is predominately loved by Queenslanders....i dont know of anyone in Victoria or New South Wales claiming to be a regular drinker of it. One of my dad's friends had a small keg of some German beer and he had a few words to say about it. I think he said it was a fair bit sweeter or something compared to Australian beer's so he wasn't exactly sucking the keg dry, but it was about 5L between 3 males.

Im not familiar with an UK beer's or anythign like Guinnes........all i know about Guinness is apparently it tastes better when its flat or something, and ive heard the British like their beer warm