The new Ford SZ Territory that we took a peak at here has now been released and there’s no doubt that this is definitely going to take the Territory to a whole new level and with some impressive fuel consumption figures for the diesel version the new Ford Territory could be the right vehicle at the right time for many people.
The new Ford SZ Territory comes in three versions starting with the TX. The TS Territory sits in the middle of the range and the Titanium tops the range and replaces the old Ghia. Each of the variants is available as either two or all-wheel drive and all two-wheel drive models have the petrol engine as standard with the diesel engine as an option. The all-wheel drive variants have the diesel as standard.
The petrol engine is not available in any of the all-wheel drive models.
The body
While the new Ford Territory still looks like a Territory there are some obvious differences in the new model.
At the front there’s a new grille and new headlights and the Titanium gets high-tech LED position lamps. The bonnet has been redesigned, some subtle lines have been added to the front guards, a new C-pillar has been added and at the rear the tail lights have been re-designed to wrap around the vehicle. The rear bumper has also been re-designed.
The interior
At first glance at the interior you might think that little has changed inside the new Ford SZ Territory but the instrument panel has re-designed, the centre console has been changed and there’s a new four-spoke steering wheel.
For the driver there’s what Ford calls the “Human-Machine Interface” or HMI for short. Obviously this is where the driver and the SZ Territory meet … it’s where the vehicle tells the driver what is happening and where the driver tells the vehicle what they want the vehicle to do.
I guess in the old days it was called “the dashboard”.
So what do you see in the HMI? Well there’s the instrument cluster, a multi-function display, a steering wheel loaded with more controls than you would expect could be fitted on a steering wheel, full iPod and Bluetooth intergration, USB connectivity and a reversing camera on the TS and Titanium variants.
In the base model TX Territory you get a monochrome 5.8-inch LCD screen and a colour 8-inch LCD screen on the mid and top of the range models. Where a reversing camera is fitted the display on the LCD screen changes to the camera display when reverse is selected.
Satellite navigation is fitted standard to the Titanium variant and this is also displayed in the LCD screen. This satnav system features what Ford describes as “green routing” and this calculates the most economical route to your destination. It will also show you the fastest and shortest routes. There’s a choice of 2D and 3D map modes … street numbers are displayed … advanced lane guidance is included and there’s also a traffic message channel that will give you information on traffic congestion.
This system was first released in Australia by Ford in the 2008 FG Falcon.
Engines
The new Ford SZ Territory is the first to come with a high-tech 2.7-litre V6 turbo-diesel and this is offered along with Ford’s upgraded 4.0-litre I6 in-line six-cylinder petrol engine..
The new diesel engine that features common-rail injection was developed at Ford’s Diesel Technology Centre in Dagenham in the United Kingdom. It’s already seen use in a number of European based SUV’s but this is the first time that it has appeared in a Ford-badged vehicle.
This diesel engine produces 440Nm of torque at 1,900rpm and that continues on to 2500rpm. Maximum power of 140kW arrives at 4,000rpm.
Fuel consumption figures for the diesel are impressive considering the size of the vehicle. It has a combined cycle fuel economy of 8.2L/100km for the rear-wheel drive version and 8.8L/100km for the all-wheel drive models. The figures are slightly higher for the all-wheel drive Titanium with a combined cycle of 9.0L/100km.
If you do a lot of country driving then you will really like the 6.5L/100km for the rear-wheel drive an 7.2L/100km for the all-wheel drive (7.3L/100km for the Titanium)..
The upgraded petrol engine gives slightly more power and better fuel economy. Maximum power of 195kW arrives at 6,000rpm and maximum torque of 391Nm is achieved at 3,250rpm.
The combined cycle fuel economy figures for the petrol powered SZ Territory is 10.6L/100km and 8.0L/100km for country driving. Urban driving figures are still rather scary at 15.0L/100km.
Transmission
Both the petrol and the diesel engines are coupled to a six-speed transmission although the transmission on the petrol variants is slightly different to the transmission used on the diesel powered models.
For those who are interested in the technical details the petrol variants get the ZF 6HP26 transmission while the diesel version get the ZF 6R80 transmission.
There has also been a change in the way the front differential is mounted in the all-wheel drive versions. In the previous model the front diff was mounted on the chassis but in the SZ Territory the front diff is mounted on the sump.
While that may not sound all that exciting or noteworthy it does actually reduce the general noise level within the cabin
Safety
The new Ford Territory SZ retains all the safety features that led to the previous model being awarded a five-star ANCAP safety rating and has even more safety features.
A new Generation 9 Dynamic Stability Control System … incorporating Roll Over Mitigation … developed by Bosch is fitted to the SZ. The Roll Over Mitigation system constantly monitors the vehicle’s behaviour and induces additional understeer when it detects an increased likelihood of rollover during extreme handling manoeuvres.
When the Roll Over Mitigation system detects the likelihood of a roll over it brakes individual wheels and reduces the driving torque to prevent the rollover and at the same time reduces engine speed to ensure greater stability.
TX standard equipment
Standard appointments in the TX Territory includes automatic climate control with single-zone temperature control; four-way power-adjustable driver’s seat; power windows and side mirrors; reverse sensing system and an Interior Command Centre (ICC) fitted with a 5.8-inch monochromatic LCD screen.
This ICC includes integrated controls for a single-CD audio system which supports both iPods7 and Bluetooth® 5-operated mobile telephones and audio devices. An in-built USB port also allows music files to be played from a USB device. A 3.5-millimetre audio jack is also fitted.
The Territory TX also comes fitted with 17-inch alloy wheels and 30 interior storage compartments.
TS standard equipment
In addition to what comes as standard in the TX the mid-range Territory TS gains machined-face 18-inch alloy wheels; reverse camera; front fog lamps; a unique TS front bumper; and a front grille painted in satin silver. The TS is fitted with a premium Interior Command Centre which features a premium seven-speaker audio system with a 150-Watt amplifier and subwoofer along an eight-inch colour touch screen. This new touch screen allows both front-seat occupants to control a variety of audio, communication and vehicle settings by simply touching the appropriate on-screen symbol.
Titanium standard equipment
Obviously you get everything that was standard in the TS plus machined-face 18-inch alloy wheels painted in accent colour; unique front bumper styling; chrome-detailed upper and lower grille; LED front position lamps; Alpine rear DVD entertainment system; leather seat trim; and an integrated satellite navigation system with a Traffic Message Channel.
The bottom line
TX
RWD Petrol $39,990
RWD Diesel $43,240
AWD Diesel $48,240
TS
RWD Petrol $46,990
RWD Diesel $50,240
AWD Diesel $55,240
Titanium
RWD Petrol $54,990
RWD Diesel $58,240
AWD Diesel $63,240
