Scoop - Territory First Drive!!! - Page 4 - Ford Forums

**Aussie Falcon** · 12-18-2003, 15:20

hopefully this hasn't been posted elsewhere, but this review is from The Australian, Thu 18 Dec 2003

Quote:

Ford stakes claim on a new territory - FIRST DRIVE

Robert Wilson

HYPE flows like petrol at most car launches, but last week when Ford Australia boss Geoff Polites said next year's Ford Territory would be the company's most significant model introduced since the first Holden, nobody disagreed.

The Territory is the first all-Australian four-wheel-drive wagon, as opposed to a four-wheel-drive variant of another car.

Although it uses the engine and some structural pressings from the Falcon sedan it is a unique vehicle.

Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) have traditionally cost significantly more than passenger cars but the Territory is planned to come to market for not much more than the cost of a similarly equipped Falcon wagon -- opening price is expected to be in the high $30,000 range.

Ford is taking the same gradual introduction strategy with the Territory as it took with the BA Falcon. The name was announced nearly a year ago, pictures were revealed in July and it was shown at this year's Sydney motor show.

Its details -- 4.0-litre six-cylinder Falcon engine, four-speed auto with all-wheel-drive or rear-wheel-drive, independent suspension and stability control electronics have been known for some time. But last week Ford allowed the press to closely examine it and, briefly, to drive it.

Territory will come as a rear-drive vehicle because being Australian-made it does not benefit from the lower tariff imposed on imported four-wheel-drives.

By Ford's reckoning families and urban buyers are more interested in the space, high driving position and perceived safety of an SUV. Single range full-time all-wheel-drive will be offered with electronic stability control for a premium of about $3000. Rear-drive models make do with traction control.

It's a family-orientated interior with seven seats -- the third row of seats fold away into the luggage area -- and 30 storage spaces, including removable dishwasher-safe sweet trays and door pockets for large water bottles.

Adjustable pedals are standard, increasing the Territory's appeal to small-framed drivers -- typically women.

Sitting in the vehicle three impressions were strongest.

First, how similar the seats, instruments and dash are to the BA Falcon -- no bad thing. In fact only a few items are common but the design themes are carried over.

Second, and not so favourable, were the very thick windscreen pillars -- the price modern vehicles pay for improved crash-safety ratings. But a seating position 10cm higher than in a Falcon may somewhat compensate with a higher eye-line.

Third, the Territory's headroom is like an atrium compared with Falcon's. Gone is the disagreeable sensation of peering out from under the windscreen header rail.

The drive was a 9km loop at the Anglesea proving ground near Geelong in Victoria, which Ford rented for the day rather than have journalists snooping and crashing around its own nearby facility.

Two prototypes were available, one a luxury rear-wheel-drive model, the other a base all-wheel-drive model.

Again the dominant impression was how much the Territory resembled a Falcon in its general feel. Ford Engineers swell at the comparison for they point out that although shorter than a Falcon the Territory is higher and heavier, with what in technical terms is called a higher suspension roll centre.

Over a bumpy dirt road it felt a smooth riding vehicle from the driver's seat without the sharp bumping and nautical rolling that four-wheel-drives often indulge in at speed. The steering felt free from kickback and vibration but still offered clues to where the front wheels were pointing and to their grip.

The independent rear suspension tracked true over bumps and on bitumen sections the vehicle handled hairpins at moderate speed without the tyre-moaning drama of a heavy-duty off-roader. Again the impression was of similarity to a Falcon.

Ford is clearly proud of the Territory's turning circle because half way through the run they set up a tight array of orange cones. They say the vehicle has a turning circle of 11.4m -- 10cm more than a Falcon wagon and the same as a Toyota Prado.

The all-wheel-drive version with its extra traction and electronic stability control could not be provoked into misbehaving on dirt roads but the two-wheel-drive version could flick out its tail if driven with exaggerated carelessness with the traction control off, again just as any Falcon can. In moderate driving there was little difference to be felt.

Although prototypes, the two vehicles were largely free from creaks and rattles. Durability testing is coming to a close with about 2 million test kilometres racked up on Territory prototypes.

That journey is over, but for Ford and Australian car buyers the journey into new Territory begins next July. First impressions are that it will be a good ride.