Ford goes further with less

The new Territory will be 32 per cent more efficient than the existing petrol-only model. Photo / Supplied

Ford says its long-awaited diesel-powered Territory will be up to one-third more fuel efficient than current petrol models, while it has also eked savings of about 12 per cent out of the petrol model.

The diesel Territory will officially drink 8.2 litres per 100km in rear-wheel-drive variants, or 32 per cent more efficient than the existing petrol-only model.

That rises to 8.8 litres/100km for heavier all-wheel-drive models. The diesel engine will be the sole powerplant offered on models fitted with all-wheel-drive.

Ford expects the updated model - featuring a choice of petrol or diesel engines for the first time, plus improvements to refinement, design and packaging - to compete better with rivals such as the new-look but petrol-only Toyota Highlander.

The new 2.7-litre turbo diesel V6 was sourced from Jaguar-Land Rover and was fitted to the previous generation of the Land Rover Discovery.

It makes 140kW of power at 4000rpm and 440Nm from a low 1900 to 2500rpm. It has been engineered in Australia to Euro IV emission regulations and it is expected that it will be able to be adapted later to pass more stringent Euro V tests.

Ford says a diesel Territory will travel up to 1154km on the highway, and that all models are capable of a cruising range of at least 1000km. Towing capacity has also been beefed up, from 2300kg to 2700kg.

The diesel engine will be built at the company's Dagenham plant in England and features a compacted graphite iron block. It weighs just 1kg more than the 4-litre inline six-cylinder engine that carries over from the current model, defying the trend of diesel engines normally being significantly heavier than petrol units.

The inline six-cylinder petrol engine carries over from the previous model and is the same 195kW/391Nm unit used in the Ford Falcon.

However, a new cylinder head and inlet manifold has brought fuel savings of up to 12 per cent, with official fuel use reduced to 10.6 litres per 100km.

All-wheel-drive models also get a new active transfer case that Ford says can pre-empt slip before it occurs and shuffle torque between the front and rear axles to compensate. The previous model had a constant 37:63 torque split.

The same six-speed auto transmission that was previously fitted to higher-spec models is now standard across the range and features normal, performance and manual shift modes.

Ford says it has put significant work into reducing cabin noise, especially on diesel models. It benchmarked diesel versions of the BMW X5 and Land Rover Discovery and says the diesel Territory trumps both for in-cabin quietness.

Modifications to tone down diesel noise include an under-body shield that also assists with aerodynamics, a new thicker windshield and better firewall insulation, Ford says.

A new power-assisted steering system across the range will increase steering feel, while stiffer springs and anti-roll bars will add more control without sacrificing comfort.

Ford has also installed a new chassis control system, incorporating a newer version of the all-important stability control unit that can intervene to help prevent a skid.

The addition of a driver's knee airbag means all new Territory models will be fitted with five airbags, including dual front airbags and a combined side-curtain unit. The curtain airbags do not cover passengers sitting in the third row of the car.

The new Territory will go on sale in New Zealand in May.