Ford Territory 2006 News

While the turbo plan for the hot-selling Territory was no great secret after being caught poorly disguised in spy shots in Melbourne last year, it is a coup for the local market who have warmed to the wagon.The blown six was the natural step for Ford to take and it opens the door for Ford Performance Vehicles do an even hotter version.Ford has announced that the turbo will go on sale in July however price and performance figures will be with-held until closer to launch date."The Territory turbo offers Euro inspired styling with a sports edge - it's designed with elegance in mind, coupled with performance attributes," Ford Australia president Tom Gorman said.Ford's engineering department has reprogrammed the acclaimed ZF 6-speed transmission to cater for the turbo all-wheel-drive wagon.The blue oval maker will exclusively show a concept truck that gives a strong hint to what the next Courier will look like.The 4-Trac will feature in an Australian premiere in Brisbane after its world unveiling at the Thailand Motor Expo in Bangkok late last year. Why show it first in Thailand?Firstly it is the largest market for pick-up trucks outside the United States and Thailand is the regional production hub for Ford's one-tonne trucks with exports assigned to Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, South America, Middle East and Europe.The 4-Trac features clean body surfaces, bulging wheel arches, integrated side indicator lights, 17-inch six spoke alloy wheels with A/T tyres.At the rear the 4-Trac uses a distinctive double folding, power assisted rear tray with three-step access.It is a tailgate within a tailgate where inner and outer sections operate together or seperately.The outer section folds to the ground effectively transforming into a ramp while the inner part folds 90 degrees for trouble-free loading.There are six portable containers in the rear cargo area that were prompted by offshore rescue craft for carrying a variety of equipment including rescue gear. Ford will also unveil its revamped Escape SUV.The Escape gains a new grille and bonnet while a new front bumper incorporates an updated skid plate on the XLT Sport and Limited versions.This houses new recessed fog lamps to match the four chamber chrome-ringed headlamps.Launched later this year, the Escape will also have an all-new interior layout and safety upgrades.The two powerplants, 2.3-litre four cylinder and 3-litre V6, remain unchanged.

Motoring fans can compare the two SUVs at the Brisbane International Motor Show from this weekend.On the Holden stand will be the S3X concept vehicle. It is almost identical to the Korean-made production Captiva which made its global debut under its new name at the Geneva Motor Show yesterday.The Captiva will be powered by the new 3.2-litre Global V6 all-alloy engine made in Port Melbourne, and come with five or seven seats, electronic stability program (ESP) and an active all-wheel-drive system.GM Holden chairman and managing director Denny Mooney said Captiva would be in Holden showrooms in the second half of the year with price and specification details released closer to launch."The production car remains very close to the S3X concept which has impressed motorshow crowds in Australia in the past few months," Mooney said."The extensive Australian input in Captiva covers the outside, inside and underneath to ensure it looks, feels and drives as a Holden should."Former GM Holden-based designer Mike Simcoe, who was responsible for the resurrected Monaro, and Max Wolff were involved in the Captiva design team."This vehicle has been a missing link in our product lineup and we believe there is strong appetite for its arrival," Mooney said.Captiva is 4.635m long, 1.850m wide and 1.720m high, offering seating for five or an optional third row to fit seven people as does the Territory.Captiva's active all-wheel-drive system instantly employs the rear axle, as driving conditions dictate, via an electronically controlled electro-magnetic coupling to provide maximum traction.This system also works with electronic stability program and ABS.Ford will display its new 245kW and 480Nm turbocharged Territory with ominous bonnet scoop at the motor show.It features FPV style grille, twin exhausts, new alloy wheels, saddle-stitched leather seats and a sport steering wheel.When it is released in July it will come in two trims — Turbo and Turbo Ghia — both with the new ZF six-speed transmission. The Ghia will include power seats and a reverse camera.Gorman said no prices were available yet, but they wanted to be "competitive".He said the Territory would bring in "additional customers".He also admitted Ford was "still looking at diesel" for the Territory.

There has never been more diversity, or better value, in the business.And there are several very significant newcomers at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre, from exotics with pricetags of up to $1 million to the all-new Toyota challenger to the Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore.New vehicle sales are predicted to run steady at 980,000 through 2006 after reaching a new high of 988,269 last year. It was the fourth straight year of growth, which has seen sales rise by more than 27 per cent since 2000.The four local carmakers - Mitsubishi, Ford, Holden and Toyota - face big challenges in an industry that is more open than ever before but all believe they are set for success.Mitsubishi introduced its all-new 380 in 2005 and increased its sales performance.Ford has the excellent Territory, the baby Fiesta and Focus are the best small cars in the company's history and it is working on an all-new successor to the BF Falcon for 2007.Holden, now in the run-up to its all-new VE Commodore later this year, will also have a full-size four-wheel drive for the first time. It is also pushing ahead strongly with value-priced small cars imported from Korea.Toyota will unveil its new local hero at the motor show and has a new Camry ready for action in the second half of the year as well as such new models for 2006 as the RAV4, Yaris sedan and a new Lexus LS flagship.GM Holden chairman Denny Mooney says: "We are all looking forward to what appears to be another great year to be in the car business."The market will continue to be very active with many new competitive entries launching, as well. In addition, the all-new Commodore will represent the most significant ground-up engineered vehicle we have ever done."Holden has been runner-up to Toyota in the sales race for the past three years but its Commodore has been Australia's favourite car for a straight decade despite the massive rise in fuel prices through 2005.Still, importers led by Mazda, Honda, Hyundai and Nissan have been huge winners in recent years with a wide range of new vehicles at competitive prices. It is a fragmentation which has made it tough to measure the business with traditional yardsticks.Mooney says each company will have a different view on this development.He adds: "In 2006 we're entering the year of the family car, which means new large cars, new SUVs (four-wheel-drives) and a few other surprises as well."The industry is responding in many different ways, which makes it exciting. Everyone is looking for that segment-buster or a twist on an old theme to gain ground."Holden and Ford were both worried by the decline in large-car sales through 2005 but both believe that new products will bring people back to traditional Aussie sixes."There are many factors driving the recent decline in large car sales," says Ford Australia chairman Tom Gorman."Nevertheless, we believe the large-car market in Australia still represents a significant market opportunity for the future."Territory is the perfect example of Ford being flexible enough to respond to changing market conditions. Our ability to read the market and create an all-new vehicle to react to changing trends has proven very successful for our brand."Toyota has done a great job with a hugely varied model line-up, but even it was forced to withdraw the Daihatsu brand from Australia in 2005 because its cars could not compete with Korean price leaders.Now it is aiming for large-car success and another year at No. 1.David Buttner, executive director of sales and marketing for Toyota Australia, says: "We see a market for 2006 between 980,000 and 990,000."He puts this down to 14 years of economic growth, record-low unemployment and a lack of pressure on interest rates."The outlook for 2006 is one of sustained demand in those areas which have remained strong . . . there is an expectation of recovery in markets which did diminish in response to new and different vehicle offerings."Mitsubishi says it had one of the biggest challenges of any firm in 2005 - launching the all-new Mitsubishi 380 at probably the toughest time in the last 20 years.Mitsubishi Motors Australia managing director Rob McEniry says: "This will be another extremely busy and challenging year with many new product offerings."He predicts all categories of car will stabilise in 2006 and that "the large-car segment will bounce back".Returning the market to "normality" will be the year's biggest challenge, he believes."Fuel prices, interest rates and global political instability will all be significant contributing factors to consumer confidence," McEniry says.

The new model will be offered in two all-wheel-drive specification levels - Territory Turbo, and the more luxuriously appointed Territory Ghia Turbo. Both will be powered by Ford's 245kW turbo engine. "Territory Turbo and Territory Ghia Turbo build on the many fine attributes inherent in the original Territory and then adds additional performance," said Ford Australia President Tom Gorman. Enhancements introduced on the recently released SY Territory range will also feature on the Territory Turbo, including a slick shifting six speed automatic transmission as standard. "Our design engineers had a brief to create a Territory Turbo with enhanced performance but not to compromise functionality and versatility," said Mr. Gorman.

2005 saw another record year for vehicle sales in Australia with 608,000 passenger cars being sold. While there has been an overall increase in sales, there has been a change in the types of cars people are buying. There has been a shift away from large cars with sales down by 15.7% and a move toward small cars, with an increase of 18.6% over the previous year. There was also an increase in the SUV/4WD market of 4.2%.Although high fuel prices are a contributor to the move towards smaller cars, Melissa Pye, Managing Director of W Communications Group believes that it is the influence of women that is driving these changes."Women buy just as many cars as men, but have the power of veto in about 80% of cases. The shift away from traditional large family cars and station wagons to SUVs is a testament to this. Women are looking for the safety and functionality that SUVs offer in a more contemporary design. Look no further than the Ford Territory which is extremely popular with women with sales increasing by a staggering 72% over the previous year" said MelissaOther models that were class leaders include Toyota Corolla, Hyundai Getz, Kia Carnival and Toyota Prado, all popular with women.Mazda experienced an increase in market share and was the 4th highest selling passenger brand in Australia. "Mazda has appeal to both men and women. They have a marketing formula that is working very well at the moment. Great looking products with features that appeal to both men and women, competitive pricing and advertising that empowers women, without disempowering men!" says Melissa.

Little wonder, then, that Kia's Carnival, at $29,990, has proved to be such a hit: it offers considerable value for money for anyone willing to make a few sacrifices to save$10,000.Kia is now taking aim at a slightly more affluent sector of the market with its new, more powerful and larger Grand Carnival, priced from $36,990.The Korean giant plans to sell both the old, sub-$30,000 Carnival and the new model side by side for the foreseeable future as it attempts to increase its market share.The people-mover segment is fast becoming one of the most competitive in the vehicle industry, and makers have even tried to sex up their image.Most successful has been Honda's new-generation Odyssey, which is far more car-like in both appearance and dynamics than its predecessor.Ford has come up with a winner by offering soft-roaders such as the Territory with an optional third row of seats.With a bewildering array of choices in the market, Sunday CARSguide looks at five vehicles for the masses. Chrysler VoyagerPRICE: $55,990 to $71,990GOOD: Space, and lots of it. The 3.3-litre V6 offers a handy 128kW of power. The Stow 'n' Go option allows you a wide variety of seating and cargo options, and sliding rear doors make for easy access.BAD: All that interior space makes for a very big exterior. The Voyager feels a lot like a delivery van, and has an interior reminiscent of the early 1990s. When behind the wheel, you can't help feeling you're heading off to the local Dunkin' Donuts shop somewhere in middle America.VERDICT: This is one for the "size really matters" crowd. Extra size and power can't prevent the Voyager feeling distinctly old-school. It's also expensive. Speaking of old school, did I mention the column shift? Mitsubishi GrandisPrice: From $39,990GOOD: The Grandis has excellent interior space. functionality and style. Its tip-and-tilt seating system is one of the easiest and most useful around. Priced from $39,990, it also offers reasonable value for money.BAD: The somewhat aggressive exterior styling may not be to everyone's liking. Its height means it can't quite match the Honda Odyssey for on-road dynamics and feel.The 2.4-litre four puts out 121kW and has to work hard with a full load. Some dashboard controls are fiddly and set too far away.VERDICT: If you don't mind the looks, you should definitely test-drive the Grandis; it's a genuine rival to the Odyssey, and at a competitive price. Honda OdysseyPrice: $38,790 to $45,290GOOD: The most car-like MPV, the Odyssey has great on-road dynamics. Its interior and exterior build quality is superb.BAD: The Honda is not alone among modern cars in having the emergency brake on the floor, but it's an annoyance — even if it does allow extra space for the centre console. The test Odyssey had an acute case of reflected glare on the dashboard.VERDICT: A quality product that is quite rightly considered the leader in the people-mover stakes. The Odyssey's 2.4-litre, in-line four makes the most of its 118kW and is reasonably frugal, but fitting the 140kW engine from the outstanding Accord Euro would make things even better. The rear seats are best suited to pre-teens. Ford TerritoryPrice: $39,490 to $56,320GOOD: The new ZF six-speed transmission fitted in the AWD version of the Territory is a huge leap forward for Ford. Its AWD system is one of the best, and the Territory proved sure-footed during a three-hour trip along the freeway from Sydney to Newcastle in a torrential downpour.The Territory can go places the other four in this comparison can't,, but it's not a fair dinkum off-roader.BAD: The six-speed tranny and AWD are expensive options, as is the third row of seats.The four-litre, six-cylinder motor delivers a healthy 190kW, but driven with enthusiasm, it gulps down considerably more juice than Ford's claimed 12.2 litres per 100km for the RWD and 12.8 for the AWD.Again, the third row of seats is strictly for pre-teens. Interior fit and finish are good by local standards, but can't match the Japanese.VERDICT: Most versatile of the five, but you pay handsomely for AWD anda six-speed gearbox. Though not the best vehicle for transporting seven people, the Territory wins points for its across-the-board potential and would suit a family of four or five who need two extra seats on occasion. Kia Grand CarnivalPrice: From $36,990GOOD: It's obvious why the base-model Kia, at $29,000, is Australia's best-selling people mover. For $7000 more, you can now get what is effectively a completely different vehicle.Interior and exterior remain bland, although the Grand Carnival wins points for the functionality of its eight seats. An enormous rear luggage space is achieved by placing the spare wheel under the centre of the vehicle. The sliding rear doors are generally easier to access than those on the Odyssey, the Grandis or the Territory.A big improvement is the new 3.8-litre V6, which increases power from 132kW to 184 and torque from 220Nm to 343.BAD: Engine problems with the earlier base model dented the Kia's reputation and hurt re-sale values. This will have flow-on effects to the Grand Carnival, despite it being a different vehicle.It's still clearly built to a price, with dynamics and general feel below that of the other vehicles in this test; in particular, the steering felt indirect. The new engine has loads more power, but you pay at the bowser, with Kia claiming a best-scenario fuel consumption of 12.8 litres/100km. Like the Odyssey, the Kia has a foot emergency brake.VERDICT: Money talks, and the Grand Carnival is a bargain buy that will garner healthy sales. The Odyssey and Grandis are better vehicles overall, but the Kia scores points for size and power. The winner ...HONDA'S Odyssey remains the one to beat. Although the Grandis runs a close second, the Odyssey outsells it by almost six to one. The Territory is a genuine option if you want to get a little way off the beaten track. The Grand Carnival is good value despite the price increase, and the Voyager is for those who really value their personal space.Most prices quoted in this story exclude dealer delivery and statutory prices