- Responsive 4.0-litre petrol engine
- Excellent ride/handling balance
- Practical and spacious interior
- Accurate, well-weighted steering
- Small turning circle (for its size)
- Ball joint suspension design susceptible to failure
- Cheap-looking centre console
- Not particularly fuel-efficient
Overview
Released in June 2004, the Ford SX Territory was a large SUV, available in rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive (4WD) models. Manufactured in Campbellfield, Victoria, the SX Territory was powered by a 4.0-litre six cylinder petrol engine. The SX Territory range initially consisted of the TX and Ghia variants, but was expanded with the mid-range Territory TS in September 2004.
Barra 182 Engine
Shared with the BA Falcon , the 4.0-litre Barra 182 inline six-cylinder petrol engine had a cast iron block, a cast aluminium cylinder head, double overhead camshafts (DOHC, simplex chain-driven), dual infinitely variable camshaft adjustment (within a 60 degree range), four valves per cylinder, Duratec-style finger followers, a dual resonance inlet manifold, coil-on-plug ignition, electronic ‘drive by wire’ throttle control, internal exhaust gas recirculation and a compression ratio of 9.7:1.
M93LE Transmission
The SX Territory was fitted with four-speed BTR M93LE automatic transmissions which had a sequential shift function and downhill grade logic control. As standard, 4WD Territory models had a finned, alloy plate air-to-oil auxiliary transmission oil cooler which sought to maintain normal transmission operating temperatures under severe conditions. The auxiliary oil cooler was also fitted for RWD Territory models specified with Ford’s heavy duty towing pack.
Development and dimensions
Developed over four years and at a cost of $500 million, the SX Territory was built on the same assembly line as the BA Falcon with which it shared its engine, transmission and rear suspension. The SX Territory, however, had a unique front suspension and a completely different underbody structure. According to Ford, the SX Territory’s body was forty per cent stiffer than the BA Falcon wagon.
Compared to the BA Falcon , was 60 mm shorter (at 4856 mm), 34 mm wider (1898 mm), 232 mm taller (1676 mm) and had a 13 mm longer wheelbase (2842 mm). Inside, seven-seat Territory models had 30 separate storage areas, while the five-seat Territory TX had 32. Furthermore, five-seat models had a reversible wet-and-dry rear floor panel.
Suspension
The Ford Territory had four-link Short and Long Arm (SLA) front suspension, with the one-piece lower-control arm connected to knuckle with two separate balljoint links (creating a virtual pivot point at their imaginary intersection, hence the ‘Virtual Pivot Control Link’ name). Please note that the ball joints in the SX Territory’s front suspension were susceptible to failure.
At the rear, the Territory had Ford’s ‘Control Blade’ independent multi-link rear suspension which featured a longitudinal trailing arm with a large, plush bush at one end.
| Variant | Drive | Engine | Trans. | Peak power | Peak torque |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TX, TS, Ghia |
RWD, 4WD |
4.0-litre Barra 182 petrol I6 | 4sp auto | 182 kW at 5000 rpm | 380 Nm at 3250 rpm |
4WD system
The 4WD Territory models had a permanent four-wheel drive system which provided a 38:62 front:rear torque. The system included a single-speed, full-time NV125 transfer case which operated in conjunction with the stability and traction control systems to control wheel slip via brake and engine intervention. By using the stability and traction control systems to direct torque, Ford sought to eliminate the need for torque-transfer and slip-limiting devices such as clutch packs and viscous couplings.
Safety equipment and brakes
Standard safety equipment for the Territory TX included dual front airbags, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, traction control and front seatbelt pretensioners; the Territory TS and Ghia were also fitted with curtain airbags for front and second row occupants.
Significantly, 4WD models were also fitted with electronic stability control, while hill descent control was available as an option for the 4WD models.
The SX Territory had 322 mm by 28 mm vented front brake discs with twin-piston calipers and 328 mm by 26 mm vented rear discs with single-piston calipers.
Features: Territory TX, TS and Ghia
Standard features for the Ford SX Territory TX included 17-inch steel wheels, four speaker sound system with CD player, air conditioning, a four-way power adjustable driver’s seat, ‘Eucalyptus’ seat fabric, steering wheel audio controls, a 60/40 split and folding second row seat, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, power adjustable driver’s pedals, three 12 volt power outlets, 32 interior storage compartments, a trip computer, an alarm and immobiliser. A third row of seats was available as an option, in which case the second row of seats could also slide fore and aft.
The Territory TS was further equipped with 17-inch five-spoke alloy wheels, a seven speaker sound system with six-stack CD player, dual zone climate control air conditioning, ‘Freestyle’ velour and cloth trim seats, cruise control, a premium Interior Command Centre (ICC) with colour TFT display and a load area cargo shelf.
Beyond this, the Territory Ghia added ‘Eucalyptus’ leather seat trim, a six-way power adjustable driver’s seat with memory function, automatic headlights, reverse parking sensors, front fog lamps, front and rear door courtesy lamps, a leather-wrapped gearshift and steering wheel, electrochromatic rear vision mirror, a cargo shelf and cargo net.
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