Territory limbos under $40,000 - Ford Forums

Stacy94PGT · 03-01-2004, 20:46

Territory limbos under $40,000
By Chris. Gable
Drive.com

Ford's much-anticipated Territory will start under $40,000 when it finally goes on sale on June 1.

Ford Australia President Geoff Polites announced the entry-level Territory TX price at the Melbourne International Motor Show launch on Friday.

"I'm delighted to confirm that we have delivered on our program objective of bringing Territory to market under the magical $40,000 mark," Polites said.

"The entry-level rear-wheel-drive Territory will be on sale from June 1 with a recommended retail price of just $38,990." (That's for the rear-wheel-drive Territory TX and excludes dealer delivery and statutory charges.)

Polites also revealed the addition of a new model to the Territory range.

"Last year we announced Territory would be the first Australian manufactured vehicle to be offered in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations.

"Today we are proud to announce the entry and high level models will be joined later this year by a new mid-series model."

The model line-up will be: entry-level Territory TX, mid-series Territory TS and range-topping Territory Ghia.

All three will be available in rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive configurations.

"The rear-wheel drive version is perfect for those customers who want the higher ride height and interior flexibility that comes with Territory, but don't need ?- or wish to pay extra for ?- an AWD system.

"The AWD version is designed to meet the needs of people who enjoy travelling a little off the beaten track, so would want the Dynamic Stability Control system and the optional Hill Descent Control that are part of the AWD layout," Polites said.

The entry level Territory TX comes with the Barra 182 4.0-litre six-cylinder engine, sequential sports shift transmission, Ford's Acutrac handling system -- incorporating the Virtual Pivot Control Link front suspension and Control Blade IRS -- together with electronically adjustable pedals.

Polites said Territory TX buyers will get "... the vehicle dynamics of a sedan, the versatility of a traditional SUV and the interior flexibility of a people mover".

The Territory TS ?- which goes on sale in the fourth quarter of this year ?- adds creature comforts such as climate control air-conditioning, premium sound and alloy rims. It'll also be the first Australian-built vehicle with locally-manufactured side curtain airbags.

The flagship Territory Ghia -- also in Ford dealerships on June 1 -- adds leather seat trim, Reverse Sensor System, alloy rims, front fog lamps and body coloured bumpers, cladding, rockers, liftgate moulding and mirrors.

No prices were announced for the Territory TS and Ghia versions.

RAPTOR · 03-01-2004, 22:10

Maybe I'm being unrealistic but wouldn't you expect a few colours other than white before your hit with a "Premium Paint" extra charge.

That's right, the brochure from the MMS lists white as the only standard colour.

EBXR · 03-01-2004, 22:24

Isn't white and red the only colours that ford let you get on the falcon?
IMO, the charge for premium paint is a joke...

FordHawk · 03-02-2004, 15:41

For the Falcons I believe Red and White are still the only non-metallic colours. However Territory obviously doesn't come with the red of the falcons...so having only white is pretty much expected to be the only non-metallic.

I finally got the chance to snoop through a couple of Territories at the motor show on Monday. Was very impressed. Extremely disappointed that there aren't any air con vents in the back except for the standard ones in front of the person in the middle seat in the 2nd row. I can't believe the designers can't understand that they are useless and in no way help to cool down the rear seat passengers.

Otherwise I got to see everything I wanted. Couldn't open the lockable drawer under the driver's seat....it was unlocked, but wouldn't pull out properly and just got stuck. But I got to see the wet-dry storage area in the 5 seater...impressive

Overall pretty happy with the vehicle...should do well. Was plenty of interest from families and 30+ year olds when I was around the stand...hopefully that translates into interest at dealers.

Stacy94PGT · 03-03-2004, 21:19

By The Drive Team
The Age

Peeping with the enemy
The Ford display at the Melbourne Motor Show that had a roofless Territory off-roader on its side certainly had the Holden mob interested: a couple of engineers and designers were inquisitively checking out the mechanical package -- no doubt to see how it compared to their own Adventra.

Ford 4WD in wagon territory
And on the subject of the Territory, Ford has confirmed the price for the entry-level rear-drive-only model will be $38,990, plus on-road costs. That includes air-conditioning, dual airbags, traction control, CD sound, adjustable pedals, remote locking and power windows, which makes it easy to see why Falcon wagon sales will be affected.

The Territory will also affect the Explorer 4WD, which Ford Australia president Geoff Polites admits "might end up as a V8" in the longer term, seeing the end of the V6 variant.

As well as the entry-level Territory TX and the luxury Ghia, Ford confirmed a mid-spec TS for late in the year. Polites also said he wanted to do sportier XR and FPV versions of the Territory but said: "We have a very defined, tightly orchestrated product development system that requires us to do certain things at certain times and we don't have the ability to rush off and do side programs".

RAPTOR · 03-03-2004, 21:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by FordHawk

.....But I got to see the wet-dry storage area in the 5 seater...impressive

....

So they have managed to get the rear door open on the 5-seater at last.

It was locked on Friday and the vehicle had no power (no battery?) so they couldn't open the back. All the 7-seaters were accessable though so I had a good explore of how that all works - could understand the wet-dry arrangement but it gets choped-up for the seats.

FordHawk · 03-08-2004, 17:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by RAPTOR

So they have managed to get the rear door open on the 5-seater at last.

Had no problems on the Monday at all. In fact I didn't experience any problems with any of the cars at the whole show. Except for when I wrecked my back getting in a civic...

outback_ute · 03-09-2004, 02:49

Only bad point I found with the Territory was the foot room in the right hand 3rd row seat, there is a metal tube under the 2nd row seat in the way. Pretty short list really...