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By
EWAN KENNEDY
26 June 2006
Ford Australia has introduced the performance version of its successful
Territory. Yet the company is keen to point out that this isn’t a
full-on sports SUV, rather the emphasis is on sporting luxury.
As such, the Territory Turbo has plenty of power
and torque. With 245 kilowatts, and 480 Newton its outputs are
increased by 29 per cent and 25 per cent respectively. Yet that
extra urge is aimed at easier, safer overtaking and relaxed
cruising not at beating others away from the traffic lights or
fanging around tight mountain roads.
Brakes have been enlarged to cope with the added
urge. But the suspension has been left almost standard, only
gaining different front springs to handle the extra weight of the
turbocharged powerplant. Tyres continue to be 235 mm wide, but now
have a sportier aspect ratio of 55 per cent, compared with 60 per
cent on the standard Territory AWD.
The new turbo will sell only in all-wheel-drive
format, not as a rear-wheel drive. Ford feels that the typical
buyer is one who wants their car with the lot. Hence they want the
most powerful engine together with the traction offered by driving
all four wheels. This turbo AWD tactic has certainly given the
German Audi company a lift in the prestige stakes so Ford
Australia looks to be on the right track.
That person who wants their car with the lot
will buy the upmarket Territory Turbo Ghia, ($65,490 plus
on-roads) and not only get Ford's most powerful 4.0-litre engine,
but also a full leather interior that’s complemented by
black-onyx and satin-chrome details in the console and dash areas;
a six-way powered driver’s seat; Ford's Premium sound system
with a six-CD in-dash player, dual-zone air conditioning amongst
many other interior enhancements.
Territory Turbo Ghia also has the enhanced
safety provided by a reversing camera.
The standard Territory Turbo is priced at a very
reasonable $53,990 and while missing out on the aforementioned
super-luxury items of the Ghia is certainly no bare-bones variant.
Incidentally, though the reversing camera can’t be fitted to
this car, object sensors with an audible alarm can be specified as
an option and are obviously worthwhile if children will be around
the car.
Fuel consumption is a big talking point amongst
buyers at the moment. The Territory Turbo has been officially
measured at using 14.2 litres per hundred kilometres compared with
the standard engine at 12.8 litres per hundred. Additional fuel
expenses will be incurred if you follow Ford's recommendation to
use premium unleaded petrol. The car can run on standard fuel if
necessary, but will lose some performance and range.
Our initial test drives were done in the scenic
hinterland areas out of Brisbane as organised by Ford Australia.
We found the new Territory Turbo highly competent, all the more so
when you remember that this is a 2.2-tonne 4WD not a sports
machine. Naturally, the laws of nature say this isn’t a nimble
machine, but it’s certainly able to hang onto the road, or dirt,
at higher speeds than those ever likely to be attempted by the
average owner.
Ford Australia's Territory is one of the most
practical car designs on the face of the planet. It was recognised
as such by Australian buyers the moment it hit the market two
years ago and has dominated the sales race ever since. The turbo
variant adds yet another dimension to this impressive
Australian-designed vehicle.
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Marque Publishing Company
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