It's turbo time for Ford's Territory!

FORD’S worst-kept secret of recent times has surfaced at last Thursday's Melbourne motor show opening, where the Blue Oval revealed two new turbocharged Territory variants and announced a sub-$36,000 retail price for the 166kW Focus XR5 Turbo that will be released in just three months.

While pricing and full specifications will not be revealed until closer to their mid-2006 release, the force-fed Territory range includes two all-wheel drive variants, Territory Turbo and Territory Ghia Turbo, each of which offers 245kW of power and 480Nm of torque.

Claimed to bring 4WD performance to new heights, both Territory Turbo offerings will come standard with the ZF six-speed auto introduced as part of last October’s SY model upgrade.

Distinguished from lesser Territory variants by a bonnet scoop, diamond-mesh grille, dual exhaust outlets and five-spoke 18-inch alloy wheels, the basic Turbo model will also offer body-coloured bumpers, cruise control, a four-way power driver’s seat, power-adjustable pedals, sports steering wheel, warm charcoal seat fabric, metallic interior highlights and unique instruments.

Meanwhile, the Ghia Turbo will feature a machined alloy wheel finish, a colour TFT screen with reversing camera, six-way power driver’s seat, black leather seat trim, side curtain airbags, dual-zone climate-control, premium audio system and “luxury sports” steering wheel.

Both new Territory variants will be available with three new paint colours: Seduce (red), Neo (blue) and Ego (charcoal).

Apart from the bigger new wheels and (new 235/55 R18) tyres and exhaust system, the 4.0-litre DOHC “DIVCT” inline six-powered turbo Territory pair feature unique engine, transmission and stability control system calibrations, while the 6HP26 auto features the same internals as the XR6 Turbo and FPV’s F6 models (with the same housing as the SY Territory AWDs).

Both cars offer a 2300kg towing capacity, as well as larger front brake rotors with performance callipers.

Ford also released a limited-edition Territory SR at Melbourne, featuring a claimed $3800 of extra specification for a $1000 premium over the entry-level Territory TX’s retail price.

Extras include Ford iDesign 17-inch seven-spoke sports alloy wheels, Ford iDesign running boards, cruise control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gearshifter, and SR decals.

Both the Territory SR RWD ($40,490) and Territory SR AWD ($44,990) will be available from mid-March.

Meantime, Ford announced that $35,990 will be the price of entry to its new high-performance small car, the five-door Focus XR5 Turbo that debuted at October’s Sydney motor show and will go on sale in May.

Based on Europe’s hot Focus ST, the XR5 is powered by a 166kW/320Nm turbocharged five-cylinder Volvo engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission, and features stiffer and 25mm-lower suspension, a sports bodykit, stability control, side curtain airbags, larger 328x28mm front brake discs with larger callipers, Recaro sports seats, an eight-speaker six-CD Sony sound system and turbo boost and oil temperature/pressure gauges.

Also on the Blue Oval stand in Melbourne is the 2006 Fiesta Zetec, which goes on sale in March. While the upgraded, new-look three/fivedoor LX and fi ve-door Ghia are already available, the Zetec three-door will join them with the same 74kW/146Nm 1.6-litre Duratec four, but adds 16-inch alloys, sports suspension and revised manual transmission gear ratios.

Ford also revealed a BF Falcon-based SR special-edition and an expanded E-Gas Falcon range. At $33,490, Falcon SR is priced lower than the entry-level Falcon XT but is claimed to offer an additional $7000 worth of features, including a rear spoiler, 17-inch alloys, leather sports steering wheel, sports suspension, front and side airbags, parking sensors, sports seat trim, rear power windows and a six-CD audio system.

From April, BF Falcon models available with the E-Gas engine will include Falcon XT (sedan and wagon), Futura (sedan and wagon), Falcon SR, Fairmont and XR6 ute (auto only).

Ford’s new model bonanza continues in Melbourne with a facelifted version of its mid-sized Escape 4WD, which goes on sale across the Asia-Pacific region later this year.

Featuring a new grille, bonnet, feature lines, bumpers, LED tail-lights, chrome-ringed headlights and, in the range-topping Limited variant, indicators housed in the side mirrors, the revised ZC Escape range will also offer rear disc brakes and new wheel designs, while the XLS V6 and XLT V6 will be replaced by a new XLT Sport V6.

Powertrain choices continue to include a 2.3-litre four-cylinder and 152kW 3.0-litre V6, however both engines are claimed to be quieter and smoother following upgrades to meet Euro III emissions regulations.

The new Escape line-up will comprise the XLS four-cylinder, XLT four-cylinder, XLT Sport V6 and the flagship Limited V6, while its all-new interior will be revealed closer to launch.

Ford also used Melbourne to announce a dramatic price reduction for its Courier 4x2 diesel light commercial models, with the Cab Chassis GL now available for $20,970 (a reduction of $7185) and the Crew Cab now priced at $28,410, representing a drop of $5460.

Meantime, while the 4.0-litre V6 Courier remains unchanged, the 2.6-litre petrol engine has been discontinued as it does not meet new Euro III emission levels.

Ford also exhibited the same BF Falcon XR6 Cab Chassis ute that debuted in Sydney last year – featuring either half-tonne XR sports suspension and 17-inch XR6 wheels or one-tonne suspension and 16-inch alloys – this time confirming it will be offered as a special edition from May, with just 300 examples to be produced.

Ford Performance Vehicles avoided auto products at Melbourne, releasing two mountain bikes instead.