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Ford Stakes its RWD Territory
Ford Australia's innovative new Territory crossover vehicle will be the only vehicle of its type in Australia to launch with both all-wheel-drive (AWD) and rear-wheel-drive (RWD) variants when it goes on sale next year.
Rear-wheel-drive vehicle 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 Falcon and Territory Vehicle Line Director, Russell 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."
RWD Territory customers will enjoy all the benefits of a unique new handling system, a package that promises new levels of ride and handling for an Australian-engineered vehicle.
"We set extremely high targets for steering and handling for both the RWD and AWD vehicles," said Vehicle Dynamics Manager Stephan Presser.
"It was very important to provide car-like ride and handling with the RWD Territory. The Virtual Pivot Control Link front suspension and the specially tailored Control Blade IRS on Territory have resulted in a no-compromise suspension set-up that gives the best of both worlds to the customer."
RWD Territory will also showcase the full benefits of a specially developed silica compound tyre that takes full advantage of the handling system.
"Australia's varying mix of road surfaces provided a huge engineering challenge but the new Goodyear tyre on Territory provides the finishing touch to the ride and handling capabilities of the RWD vehicle," says Stephan.
The RWD Territory will include a new Goodyear Integrity 235/60R17 tyre engineered specifically for a rear-wheel-drive application.
All the styling and interior package advantages in the AWD Territory will also be present in the RWD version.
"Customers of the RWD Territory are still looking for all the styling and other package benefits that Territory will offer," says Russell.
"Ford's ability to design and engineer both the RWD and AWD variants allows us to meet all those needs while still providing customers with the flexibility to choose their preferred driving set-up."
Pricing and further detailed specifications will be announced closer to the vehicle's launch.
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*Retired.
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No car ATM but I am looking at one... 
Hybrid Mode
