Exploring new Territory

Ford claims its new vehicle combines the best aspects of sedan, people mover and SUV, writes motoring editor ALASTAIR SLOANE


Ford has developed its new Territory sports utility vehicle in true-blue Anzac style, testing it in the majestic Southern Alps and on the featureless, piping-hot salt plains of Australia.

Now, five years after the homegrown crossover concept was first explored, Ford reckons it has a crackerjack vehicle on its hands.

"Territory captures the pioneering spirit of our two countries," said Ford New Zealand marketing manager Graeme Whickman.

"As a nation, we love to explore our environment. Territory will make it even easier to do this."

The vehicle will be launched in New Zealand in 10 days. It is the first mass-market SUV to be designed and built in Australia from a clean sheet, the first to be tailored to Australian and New Zealand needs, and the first to launch with both all-wheel-drive and rear-wheel-drive variants.

"Territory is arguably the most researched vehicle in the history of Ford Australia," said product development executive Trevor Worthington.

"We listened long and hard to what customers wanted. 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."

Ford found that some target groups wanted all-wheel-drive, others didn't.

Said vehicle director Russell Christophers: "For these people, rear-wheel-drive Territory is a more logical progression from the traditional large sedan or wagon. Many of these customers have migrated into large four-wheel-drives simply because they are looking for a higher ride height and interior flexibility."

Christophers said Ford began its research into the $500 million Territory project by drawing 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 presented its designers in Melbourne with a genuine Downunder challenge.

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

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

"They dislike the lack of manoeuvrability in the city, where most of these vehicles are driven.

"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 a SUV and drive those elements the customers liked into a design that had a lot of car-like attributes as well."

Territory is built on the same assembly line as the Falcon and shares the car's engine, four-speed automatic transmission and an adaptation of the Control Blade independent rear suspension. But the SUV has a completely different underbody structure, unique front suspension and an all-wheel-drive system using technology from Ford's global parts bin.

Inside, the new model has more than 30 cubbyholes, including a removable rubbish bin.

The design of the interior and flexibility of the five or seven seats was influenced by focus groups.

"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 programme," said interior design manager Marcus Hotblack.

The Territory is powered by the Falcon's 4-litre straight-six Barra engine, producing 182kW (244bhp) at 5000 rpm and 380Nm of torque at 3250 rpm.

Ford New Zealand is keeping the price to itself until launch. But indications are that Territory will fall between the $47,490 3-litre Escape and the $72,000 4-litre Explorer.

There will be three specification levels: the entry-level TS, mid-range TX and premium Ghia.