Ford Territory Gets A Final Send Off
Just like its sedan sibling, the Ford Territory is getting one last refresh for its final year of sales in the Antipodes.
The Aussie-only SUV gets the same mild refresh as its Falcon platform-mate. No V8 was ever available, but Ford Australia’s mega-powerful turbo I6s (putting down nearly 330 horsepower in top trim) will hopefully remain an option.
Sadly, CAFE, market demand and a host of other factors likely kept us from enjoying the Territory in North America. As cool as it is, the business case for a rear-drive SUV packing sports car power levels was probably not there in 2004, and likely isn’t there today – unless you’re SRT, and have all the components sitting around, and you need to spread development costs around a bunch of model lines.
Beyond that, the Territory is even cooler because it was a unique, locally-designed and built solution to local tastes. In an era of One Ford, economies of scale and global product lines, that is something we’re likely never going to see again.
More by Derek Kreindler
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I always find the lack of interest about the Australian specific industry on this site to be disheartening. I'm a nostalgic sucker. Seeing this region lose it's automotive identity makes me sad.
I think this Territory is an attractive vehicle - much better than the Escape, Edge, Flex, or Explorer we get. I'm also intrigued by the I6, looks like a nice, torquey powerplant. I understand why we would never get the vehicle, but I might own a Ford currently if they offered an I6. Like most enthusiast-dominated categories we (I6 fans) are too small and too eccentric to make an attractive market for the big automakers.
the turbo I6 hasnt been available for a good few years. n/a I6 and 2.7 v6 TDI are the only options now
There's still the Ford Everest.