Ford Australia will borrow a marketing idea from its US parent when it launches its locally developed Territory crossover next year: the model will be the only vehicle of its type in Australia to launch with both all-wheel-drive (AWD) and rear-wheel-drive (RWD) variants.
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The news, the latest in a series of drip-fed PR announcements that began with the release of a so-called ‘scoop’ photo of a prototype on test, comes a few months before arch-rival General Motors Holden launches its all wheel drive-only Adventra, a Commodore wagon-based competitor.
Ford’s decision is interesting because SUVs are not usually sold in Australia with the option of two-wheel drive, as in the US.
Ford says its rear-wheel-drive model customers “will enjoy the other benefits of Territory’s extensive engineering programme, along with the style, command driving position and interior flexibility benefits inherent in the new vehicle.”
“There is a significant group of customers out there who have told us that while they want a lot of the features and advantages that Territory will have, they don’t need full-time AWD capability,” said Falcon and Territory vehicle line director, Russell Christophers.
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By GlobalData“For these people, RWD Territory is a more logical progression from the traditional large sedan or wagon. Many of these customers have migrated into large 4WDs simply because they are looking for a higher ride height and interior flexibility. They have a limited or in many cases no need for the 4WD capability of those vehicles but have previously had no option but to accept it and pay for it as standard equipment, just to get the package they wanted.”
Ford Australia has developed a new suspension for the Territory which shares some components with the firm’s indigenous Falcon sedan and wagon Falcon range.
“We set extremely high targets for steering and handling for both the RWD and AWD vehicles,” said vehicle dynamics manager Stephan Presser.
“It was very important to provide car-like ride and handling with the RWD Territory. The virtual pivot control link front suspension and the specially tailored control blade [independent rear end] on Territory have resulted in a no-compromise suspension set-up that gives the best of both worlds to the customer.”
The RWD Territory will also have a specially developed silica compound tyre that takes full advantage of the handling system.
“Australia’s varying mix of road surfaces provided a huge engineering challenge but the new Goodyear tyre on Territory provides the finishing touch to the ride and handling capabilities of the RWD vehicle,” said Presser.
Styling and interior packaging will be identical in both and RWD versions.
Ford launches the Territory early next year but there is no word yet on export markets, apart from the expected New Zealand, where the Falcon is also shipped.
