Ford Territory MKII launched

Ford director of product development, Russell Christophers, admitted the changes were few and that there were no mechanical modifications.

“This is a fairly minor change that just freshens the product,” he said.

However, he and other Ford executives at the “launch” of the updated Territory this week in Coffs Harbour would not elaborate on when the next model Territory would be released.

“We’re not ready to talk about new Territory yet,” he said.

“We have a product cycle plan for Territory but we are not ready for that yet.”

He said the minor update was intended to maintain interest in the vehicle until the next model.

The Territory SX was launched in 2004, then updated as the SY and now comes the SY Mk II with more airbags, more standard features, minor interior and exterior styling changes and between $500 and $1000 more on the pricetag.

The base model Turbo has also been dropped from the range because Ford found most turbo buyers wanted the luxury of the Turbo Ghia which has been retained.

Outside, the Territory gets a remodelled bonnet, grille, lower grille, fog lamp bezels, headlights, bumper, body coloured mirror and door handles, tail lamps and new wheel designs.

The Ghia also gets indicators incorporated in the mirrors and larger, 18-inch alloy wheels.

There are four new exterior colours: Velvet (brown), Harmony (silver), Mystic (green) and in September Ford will add Serenity (gold).

Inside, there are new darker trim options in some models.

Product marketing manager Christine Wagner said the Territory was launched in 2004 with a lot of options.

“We know which ones worked so we have simplified the choice with more standard gear,” she said.

Territory TX now comes standard with side curtain airbags, cruise control, 17-inch alloy wheels and a body colour package for the bumpers, door handles and mirrors.

Territory TS also gets the body colour package plus a reverse parking camera, front fog lamps, leather-wrapped steering wheel, handbrake and gearshift, and a third row seat as standard.

Ghia gains a third-row seat as standard, an Alpine rear DVD system, side steps, rear privacy glass and 18-inch alloy wheels, while the Ghia Turbo adds a new 18-inch alloy wheel design.

Wagner said the SY Mk II offered better value for money.

The TX costs $1000 more and all other models an extra $500. Ford claimed the extra standard equipment was valued at between $3600 and $6600, depending on the model.

Christophers said the fuel economy on rear-wheel drive Territory models had been improved by 4.9 per cent or 0.6 litres per 100km.

The Ghia and all seven-seater models had a 1.6 per cent or 0.2L/100km economy improvement.

He said this was achieved by new global calibrations to the engine, transmission, catalytic converter and other elements of the drive train.

He ruled out LPG or diesel engines until the next model Territory.