'Orion' Territory here in a year

FORD will reveal a comprehensively overhauled Territory later this year or in early 2009. Many of the drivetrain parts will be shared with the Orion Falcon that will be unveiled later this month, ahead of its May launch.

Although sheetmetal changes are likely to be minor, a new nose will set the 2009 Territory apart from the current vehicle. It will incorporate Ford’s Kinetic design themes, expressed in the shape of the Mondeo-style headlights and grille.

Alterations to the bumper and tail-lights, as well as revisions to the 2009 Territory interior and equipment levels, are also high on the agenda.

Under a reprofiled bonnet, expect an updated version of Ford’s venerable 4.0-litre in-line six-cylinder petrol engine to be fitted, developing around 200kW of power and up to 400Nm of torque.

Reports are also suggesting that an American-sourced five-speed automatic gearbox will find its way into rear-wheel drive (RWD) versions, replacing the long-lived ION Model 93-4AT four-speed gearbox currently employed.

This will bring the rear-drive Territory in line with the front-wheel drive Toyota Kluger II, which relies solely on five-speed automatic transmission.

As with the current model, AWD all-wheel drive models will retain the German-built ZF 6HP26 six-speed automatic gearbox, giving the Ford a decisive advantage over most of its rivals.

Improved fuel consumption figures are likely to be the upshot of going for the extra cog in the rear-drive Territory. A sub 12L/100km result should be the outcome.

More frugal would be the much-anticipated (but officially still non-existent) turbo-diesel Territory, which may yet finally materialise with the 2009 update, and not a moment too soon as the Holden Captiva Diesel’s popularity spreads.

Ford is reportedly still ironing out noise, vibration, and harshness issues associated with the fitment of the 2.7-litre V6 unit that – in Land Rover Discovery TDV6 guise – offers 140kW and 440Nm, as well as a six-speed automatic gearbox.

The Territory Turbo range will also likely benefit from an increase in power, up from today’s 245kW, to about 270kW or even more.

GoAuto has learned that the FPV F6X version of the facelifted Territory is also slated for a release in about 12 months time, and is expected to deliver as much as 300kW, compared to the 270kW produced by the just-released model.

The top-selling medium SUV since its release as the SX series in June 2004, the Territory is still the first vehicle of its type to be produced in Australia.

The current (SY) version was released in October 2005 and boasted the ZF six-speed automatic on AWD models, DSC dynamic stability control availability on RWD cars, a more powerful engine and improved fuel consumption.

However, with the advent of the Kluger II, as well as the inroads made by the Captiva and the second-generation Hyundai Santa Fe, a refreshed Territory is perhaps Ford’s only chance at holding on to its withering lead in the segment.

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