Ford Territory (Australia)

SX (2004–2005)

The first series, known as the "SX", was produced between April 2004 and September 2005.

Appearance-wise, the Territory adopted styling cues from the North American Freestyle/Taurus X, which proved to be a defining factor for the support of Ford executives at the head office in Dearborn, Michigan. Simon Butterworth, who was behind the major restyling of the Falcon that resulted in the 2002 BA series, styled the Territory. Marcus Hotblack worked on the Territory's interior, inspired by a knife. As a result, the Territory had such convenient features as flexing cup holders and a handbag holder to the side of the seat for female drivers.

The SX Territory was the first Australian-built vehicle to be fitted with an electronic stability control system. In addition, Territory was the first SUV to have won the Australian Wheels Car of the Year award, in 2004.

Its platform was available in RWD or AWD, solely powered by the 182 kW, 380 Nm 4.0-litre DOHC straight-six Barra petrol engine from the BA Falcon albeit slightly detuned via software, paired to a four-speed automatic gearbox. All models were renowned for very high fuel consumption, averaging between 14 and 18 L/100 km.[8]

At launch, the SX range of models (and Australian retail prices[9]) were: the TX, base package; TS, family safety package; Ghina, luxury package.

An Alpine DVD entertainment system for rear passengers, with 10.2-inch screen and infrared headphones, was offered as standard or optional depending on the model variant.

Australian and New Zealand SX series models were slightly different visually: all models sold in New Zealand had body-colour bumpers and alloy wheels, including the base model. Front light detail resembles that of women's jewellery in a black box. In New Zealand, the only RWD model was the base version and all other models had AWD; while in Australia, all models were available with both traction setups.

• Model range

SY (2005–2011)

The SY, primarily a mechanical upgrade with no significant visual differentiation, was introduced in October 2005. Its key features included increased engine power 190 kW, new automatic transmission for AWD models, and as a first for an Australian-built vehicle, a reverse parking camera (optional on the TS and standard on Ghia). The TS now featured standard reverse sensors. All models received a new key design, and on cars built after May 2006, the plastic rear cladding along the bottom edge of the rear tailgate changed to be pressed into the sheet metal.

Again, this Territory was solely powered by a revised 4.0-litre DOHC straight-six engine now producing 190 kW and 383 Nm. The previous DSI four-speed automatic transmission was retained with minor updates for RWD models; AWD models now featured the six-speed ZF 6HP 26 automatic transmission that contributed to slightly improved fuel consumption.

The 2006 Territory Turbo was AWD-only and its turbocharged version of the base model produced 245 kW and 480 Nm. Being AWD, it was only available with the then-new six-speed ZF automatic transmission.

The range remained unchanged except for the introduction, in mid-2006, of a Territory Turbo available in standard trim or luxury Ghia. It was powered by a turbocharged 4.0-litre DOHC straight-six version of the Barra engine that, due to costs considerations and the Australian market preference for performance variants, took priority over the introduction of a mooted diesel variant to curtail the high 6 cylinder fuel consumption.

At launch, the original SY range of models (and Australian retail prices[10]) were: TX, TS, Ghia

The first Territory TX-based limited editions emerged:

The SY II series was a facelift revealed at the 2009 Australian International Motor Show held in Melbourne and went on sale that May. It featured a mildly restyled front end and other minor exterior changes, improved interior trim (with the previous upholstery colour schemes replaced by more contemporary ones) and improved suspension design. Powertrains remained unchanged, except for the axing of the 270 kW "FPV F6X". The BA/BF Falcon centre console and Interior Command Control (ICC) was again reused for the SY II despite the newer FG Falcon having a completely redesigned console and ICC.

The SY II received a revised front suspension to address a well-documented weakness in the front lower ball joints.[11] Specifically, the original design had the ball joints under constant tension, which resulted in some catastrophic failures of the joint (causing the wheel to detach from the suspension and steering at high speeds) and premature wear requiring lower control arm replacements after as little as 30000 km. With the new design, the lower ball joints were now under compression, thus eliminating the premature wear issue.

The SY II Territory range and upgrades (plus Australian retail prices at launch[12]) were:

The Turbo was now available only in the latter luxury specification.

A TS Limited Edition was marketed in December 2009 and October 2010 to stimulate sales by providing Ghia-derived fittings.

Through the addition of a front passenger seatbelt warning chime implemented on cars produced from 11 January 2010, the entire Territory range qualified for a full five-star Australasian New Car Assessment Program crash test score. Models produced prior to this date only had a four-star rating.[13]

• Model range

• SR – released in February 2006, and re-released in June 2008
• SR2 – released in October 2008

• Model range

• TX: with body-coloured bumpers and alloy wheels standard
• TS: body-coloured bumpers, new alloy wheels, seven-seater with third-row standard
• Ghia: external mirrors mounted side indicators, new alloy wheels, privacy glass for the rear passenger and cargo windows

Safety

The Ford Territory had safety features such as driver or passenger airbag, ABS, and seat belt.[14]

SZ (2011–2016)

The SZ series Territory was released in April 2011.[15] Ford Australia released official photos of this facelifted edition on 8 February 2011. Its development cost was some A$230 million.[16] It was based on the E8 platform introduced in the FG Falcon, with the codename E265A.

In line with Ford's internationally adopted Kinetic Design, the car features a large lower air intake and thin upper grille. It has an estimated .[17] Titanium models feature LED "position" lights, in lieu of the fog lights fitted on the mid-spec TS. At the rear, the car features horizontal tail lights, replacing the vertical lights on previous editions. On the inside, courtesy of the FG Falcon upgrades, the higher-range Territory models also inherited an eight-inch colour touch screen, which is central to the "SYNC" in-car entertainment and control system.[18] New safety features include a driver's knee airbag and updated stability control system, now version 9.0 by Bosch incorporating an anti-roll-over function.[19]

Mechanically, the SZ series introduced for the first time in Ford Australia's locally made vehicles, a diesel powerplant (whose cost and development in previous editions was postponed in favour of the turbo petrol variant of 2006). It also introduced an electric power-assist steering system used on the American Ford Mustang, which was also poised for introduction on the Falcon.[20]

The engines range of the SZ series comprised the usual but further upgraded 4.0-litre DOHC straight-six petrol engine only for the RWD Territory, and a turbocharged, direct injection 2.7-litre 60-degree V6 diesel engine marketed as "Duratorq" for the RWD and AWD Territory models. Petrol-engined AWD models are no longer offered. The petrol engine, now compliant with Euro 4 emission standards, generates 195 kW and 391 Nm. At launch, the diesel engine was a seven-year-old Ford AJD-V6/PSA DT17 engine, which debuted in Australia with the Jaguar XF and Land Rover Discovery 3.[21] It reportedly emits up to 25% less compared to the petrol engine.[22]

Across the range, two types of six-speed automatic transmission became default depending on model variants. For petrol-engined RWD—the ZF 6HP26 transmission; for diesel-engined RWD and AWD the ZF-based, 6R80 transmission produced by Ford in the United States is used.[23]

Interior-wise, finally the new Territory gained the centre console and ICC of the FG Falcon. Up until this time the Territory had continued to reused the 2002–2008 BA/BF Falcon interior and ICC.

The range remained the same except for the Titanium replacing the Ghia, reflecting a similar changes made to the related Ford Falcon (FG) range.

The SZ range and key features or upgrades (plus Australian retail prices at launch[24]) were as follows:

The Titanium model has proven to be the most popular variant and the SZ series led Ford Australia to reach a significant manufacturing milestone by building 150,000th Territory (a white TX TDCi RWD model) in 2012.[25]

The Titanium (in AWD 2.7-Litre TDCi specification) was also the only variant for exports to Thailand that resumed in late 2012.

A TX Limited Edition was marketed in August 2012 to stimulate sales by providing TS-derived fittings.

After 10 years of production, the SZ II series represented the Territory before Ford Australia's full production (which also included the FG X Falcon sedan) ceased in October 2016.

The SZ II began production alongside the FG X Falcon on 20 October 2014[26] and went on sale in the Australian market in December 2014. Its model range remains unchanged relative to the SZ series but, externally, it features subtle styling revisions consisting of a new fascia and alloy wheels, with the Territory losing out its LED "position lights" in favour of more traditional foglights. Mechanically, the engine range also remains unchanged apart from transmission tweaks and aerodynamic improvements that deliver around 0.5% better fuel consumption.[27] Inside, new trims colours feature along with an updated "SYNC2" touchscreen in-car entertainment and control system with voice command, Wi-Fi connectivity, DAB+ radio, and emergency call functionality.[28][29]

• Model range

• TX: 17-inch alloy wheels, iPod/USB integration, Bluetooth phone connectivity and cruise control). Available in RWD petrol, diesel, and AWD diesel
• TS: as above but with 18-inch alloy wheels plus four-way power adjustable driver seat, 8-inch colour touch screen, front fog lights, dual-zone climate control, premium audio system and reversing camera, standard 7-seat capacity. Available in RWD petrol, diesel, and AWD diesel
• Titanium: as above plus different 18-inch alloy wheels, LED "position" lights, external mirrors mounted side indicators, chrome detachable front grille, 6-way power adjustable driver seat with three memory settings, glass for the rear passenger and cargo windows, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, satellite navigation with Traffic Message Channel, Alpine DVD entertainment system for rear passengers with 10.2-inch screen and infrared headphones, leather seat trim (in "Shadow" black or "Cashmere" beige). Available in RWD petrol, diesel, and AWD diesel

Safety

New Zealand

The Territory was sold in New Zealand, with 12,000 units sold there.

South Africa

Exports to South Africa were made in 2005. Sales of the Territory began on June 22, 2005.[35] The TX and Ghia AWD/RWD models were sold there.[36] Prior to its debut, a Territory was sent to South Africa in 2004 for assessment by Ford's South African branch.[37]

Around 2,300 units were exported.[38]

Thailand

Exports of the Territory to Thailand was announced to go on sale in April 2006 with the Ghia 4WD model.[39] Prior to that, the SY Territory appeared at the 2005 Bangkok Motor Show.[40] A Thailand-Australia Free Trade Agreement was also in place at the time the exports started after 2005.[41]

Around 100 units were sold to Thailand in August 2012 after Ford Australia showed interest in a diesel-powered version at the 2012 Bangkok Motor Show held in March 2012.[42]

Concerns were raised that the Thai export program Ford Australia participated in could collapse due to high taxes imposed on imported vehicles.[42] This was pointed out in 2013 after taxes were raised that it was expensive to purchase a Territory.[43]