Review: Ford SZ Territory (2011-16)

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• Diesel engine has grunt and reasonable economy
• Refined petrol engine
• Excellent ride/handling balance
• Practical and spacious interior
• Small turning circle (for its size)

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• Electric steering lacks feel
• Hard interior plastics
• Petrol engines not particularly fuel-efficient
• Coolant lines for automatic transmission cooler could fail and destroy transmission

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Review: Ford SZ.I Territory (2011-14)

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Overview

Released in May 2011, the Ford SZ Mk.I (SZ.I) Territory was a large SUV, available in rear- and all-wheel drive models. Manufactured in Campbellfield, Victoria, the SZ Territory was powered by 4.0-litre inline six cylinder petrol engines (rear wheel drive only) and 2.7-litre V6 turbo-diesel engines (for rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive models). As per the table below, the SZ Territory range consisted of TX, TS and Titanium variants.

Engines: Barra 195 and Duratorq TDCi (Diesel)

Of the engines,

• The 4.0-litre Barra 195 inline six-cylinder petrol engine had a cast iron block, a cast aluminium cylinder head, double overhead camshafts (DOHC, simplex chain-driven), dual independent variable camshaft timing, four valves per cylinder, Duratec-style finger followers, a dual resonance inlet manifold, coil-on-plug ignition, electronic throttle control, exhaust gas recirculation, twin knock sensors and a compression ratio of 10.3:1. Compared to its Barra 190 predecessor, the Barra 195 engine introduced
  • A new ‘fast-burn’ cylinder head which used revised intake port profiling and combustion chamber geometry to increase the swirl of the incoming fuel/air charge for a quicker rate of combustion; and,
  • A new dual-resonance intake manifold which used a new electronic throttle body and fuel rail assembly;
• The 2.7-litre ‘Duratorq TDCi’ diesel engines had compacted graphite iron (CGI) blocks, alloy cylinder heads, Siemens Commonrail direct injection (operating at 1650 bar) with Piezo injectors, a single variable geometry turbocharger, an air-to-air intercooler, double overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and a compression ratio of 17.3:1. The engine was not, however, fitted with a diesel particulate filter.

Transmissions

The 4.0-litre six-cylinder petrol engine was mated to six-speed ZF 6HP26 automatic transmissions, while the 2.7-litre turbo-diesel engine was mated to Ford’s ZF-based six-speed 6R80 automatic transmission.

Developments

To accommodate the new turbo-diesel engine and all-wheel drive system (see ‘AWD system’, below), the SZ Territory had a new front sub-frame which provided a 14 kg mass reduction (from 44 kg to 30 kg). Other developments for the SZ Territory included an electric power-assisted steering (EPAS) supplied by Nexteer Automotive and a self-adjusting park brake.

For greater refinement, the SZ Territory had a new sound-deadening package which included new engine mounts, revised transmission mounts, a new isolated cross-member, upgraded dashboard and floor inner insulators, a new engine undertray with side covers, full-size bonnet absorber and transmission tunnel absorber. Furthermore, the dash outer-absorber (in front of the steel firewall in the engine bay) had a special polyamide film/screen inserted between the scrim and lofting of the absorber to limit the transfer of engine noise through the firewall. Models with the 2.7-litre turbo-diesel engine were also fitted with an ‘acoustic’ windscreen which used a layer of sound-absorbing PVB (polyvinyl butyral).

Dimensions and styling

Compared to the SY Territory , the SZ Territory was 27 mm longer (at 4883 mm), the same width (1898 mm), 40 mm taller (1716 mm) and had a 1 mm longer wheelbase (2843 mm).

The Ford SZ Territory could be identified by its updated styling which reflected Ford’s ‘kinetic design language’. As such, the SZ Territory gad a ‘tri-plane front-end architecture’, trapezoid-shaped main grille, a larger lower grille with a three-bar design, U-formed lower skid plate, slim line headlights, a sculpted bonnet, subtle front guard flutes, a new C-pillar design, resurfaced door cladding, a lower rocker moulding, wrap-around tail lights, a new tailgate applique, a redesigned bumper and new lower-level valance 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). 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.

For the SZ Territory, a new suspension tune was introduced with new springs, shock absorbers and stabiliser bars fitted – these changes were aimed at improving roll stiffness and reducing body roll when cornering. For greater durability, new suspension bushings were also introduced. [su_table responsive=”yes”]

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AWD system

The active all-wheel drive (AWD) system for the SZ Territory used a single-speed BorgWarner ‘Torque-On-Demand’ transfer case. In normal conditions, torque was primarily directed to the rear wheels for maximum fuel economy. In low traction conditions, however, the clutch would be applied automatically; when fully applied, the system would provide a 50:50 front:rear torque split.

For greater refinement,

• when the vehicle was stationary in drive and the driver had their foot on the brake, a clutch mechanism within the ‘active’ transfer case would decouple any driving forces applied to the front drive shafts; and,
• the re-engineered front differential was mounted on the engine sump rather than the chassis.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the Ford SZ Territory included dual front airbags, a driver’s knee airbag, curtain airbags for front and rear occupants, ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control with rollover mitigation, traction control, hill descent control and front seatbelt pretensioners.

Introduced for the SZ Territory, the Bosch Generation 9 electronic stability control system had a rollover mitigation function which would monitor the vehicle’s behaviour and induce additional understeer if an increased risk of rollover was detected during extreme handling manoeuvres.

Brakes

The standard braking package for the SZ Territory consisted of 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.

ANCAP crash testing

Based on ANCAP crash testing conducted in 2006 for the SY Territory and technical information provided by Ford, the SZ Territory was awarded a five star adult occupant protection rating with a score of 32.57 out of 37.

Features: SZ Territory

Standard features for the Ford Territory TX included 17-inch alloy wheels, a four speaker sound system with CD player, MP3/USB/iPod inputs and Bluetooth connectivity (mobile phone and audio device integration), an Interior Command Centre with 5.8-inch monochromatic LCD, climate control air conditioning, cruise control with speed alert warning, a four-way power adjustable driver’s seat, rear parking sensors, automatic headlights, split and flat folding second row seats, remote central locking, power mirrors and windows, three 12 volt power outlets, a height and reach adjustable steering wheel, trip computer, an alarm and immobiliser. The TX was fitted with five seats as standard, although an additional third row of seats were available as an option.

The Territory TS was further equipped with machined-face 18-inch alloy wheels, seven speaker sound system with a 150 watt amplifier and subwoofer, dual zone climate control air conditioning, an eight-inch touch-screen LCD with reversing camera, front fog lights, leather-wrapped steering wheel, map lights and flat folding third row seats. The TS was also fitted with a unique front bumper and satin silver painted grille.

The Territory Titanium was distinguished by its satellite navigation system with colour LCD and traffic alerts, leather seat trim, six-way power adjustable driver’s seat with three-position memory settings, LED driving lights and Alpine rear seat DVD player with 10.2-inch display and wireless headphones. The Titanium was also fitted with a unique front bumper and chrome-detailed grille.

2012 Territory TX Limited Edition

In July 2012, TX Limited Edition models were released. Compared to the standard TX, the Limited Edition models added 18-inch five-spoke alloy wheels, side steps, third row seats and floor mats. Visual cues for the TX Limited Edition also included unique exterior colour accents for the grille and bumpers and ‘Limited Edition’ badging.

Brochures

• Brochure: Ford SZ Territory (August 2011)
• Brochure: Ford SZ Territory (September 2012)

Specifications

• Specifications: Ford SZ Territory (March 2011)
• Specifications: Ford SZ Territory (September 2012)

Related links

• Ford Newsroom: Ford Territory – Refined, Quiet and Comfortable (March 2011)
• Ford Newsroom: Ford Territory – Dynamic Handling, Comfortable Car-Like Ride (March 2011)
• Ford Newsroom: Ford Territory – Highly Efficient Turbo-Diesel Power Joins the Range (March 2011)

Review: Ford SZ.II Territory (2014-16)

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Overview

Released in November 2014, the SZ Mk.II (SZ.II) Territory introduced minor changes to styling and features. Visually, the SZ.II Territory could be identified by its new front fascia with trapezoidal grille and horizontal bars, lower skid plate and rectangular fog lamps with matching bezels.

For the SZ.II Territory range, the ZF 6HP26 transmission was replaced by the lighter ZF 6HP21 transmission which had a lower torque capacity but contributed to improved fuel economy. [su_table responsive=”yes”]

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Safety equipment

Compared to its SZ.I predecessor, standard safety equipment for the SZ.II Territory was extended to include Ford’s SYNC2 ‘Emergency Assistance’. In the event of an accident in which the airbags deploy or the fuel cut-off switch is activated, Emergency Assistance can deliver a voice message to 000 operators and keep the line open for hands-free communication.

Features

Standard features for the Territory TX included 17-inch alloy wheels with 235/60 R17 tyres, six speaker sound system with a CD player, digital radio (DAB+), Ford’s ‘SYNC 2’ connectivity system with an eight-inch colour touch screen, voice control, Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity and audio streaming, auxiliary inputs (3.5 mm/SD card/USB), a WiFi hot spot, climate control air conditioning, a four-way power adjustable driver’s seat, cruise control, front and rear parking sensors, a reversing camera with fixed and active guidelines, 60/40 split and folding second row seats, remote central locking, power windows and mirrors, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment, three 12 volt power sockets, illuminated vanity mirrors, roof rails, a trip computer and an immobiliser.

From April 2015 production, the SZ.II Territory was fitted with satellite navigation as standard.

Compared to the TX, the Territory TS added 18-inch alloy wheels with 235/55 R18 tyres, seven speaker premium sound system (including subwoofer) with a 150 watt amplifier, dual-zone climate control air conditioning, cloth seats with leather bolsters, front fog lights, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear shifter, rear privacy glass and door mirrors with integrated indicators.

The range-topping Territory Titanium was distinguished by its satellite navigation with live traffic updates, a six-way power adjustable driver’s seat (with memory settings), leather seat trim (in dark ‘Shadow’ or mid-tone ‘Tan’), rain-sensing wipers, rear DVD entertainment system with 10.2-inch screen, an electrochromatic rear view mirror, stainless steel scuff plates and side steps.

Related links

• Brochure: Ford SZ.II Territory (October 2014)
• Ford Australia: Ford Territory
• Wikipedia.org: Ford SZ Territory