Upgrades all come with the Territory

Ford's MkII Territory SUV has a revised model line-up and a host of additional equipment.

Ford Australia has revealed a mid-life makeover for the Territory SUV many months before its goes on sale on New Zealand.

The new model broke cover at the Melbourne motor show and gets key exterior design changes, a freshened interior, a revised model line-up and a host of additional equipment now fitted as standard.

The major design changes include a new bonnet, front bumper, upper and lower grilles, headlamps, fog lamps and tail-lights.

Two Territory models - a Territory Ghia all-wheel drive and a Territory TS rear-wheel drive - were on display at the show to give customers a first look at the SY Territory MkII line-up, which will go on sale in the second quarter of 2009.

"The Territory has been an outstanding success for Ford since it was launched in 2004, achieving both sales success and critical acclaim over the past 4 years, with more than 86,000 customers to date and a multitude of consumer and industry awards," said Ford Australia CEO Marin Burela. "Territory has proven immensely popular with consumers, who love its car-like handling, spacious and flexible interior, stylish design and high levels of occupant safety.

"The new-look SY Territory MkII builds on all these great attributes, while taking the next step in its evolution with a revised exterior design, fresh interior appointments and a host of new equipment."

A revised model line-up for the SY Territory MkII range consists of the TX, TS and Ghia models, in rear-wheel drive (RWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations, along with the Ghia Turbo AWD. The Territory Turbo model will no longer be offered.

Body-coloured bumpers and door cladding, new body-coloured door handles, new chrome belt moulding, revised tail lamps and body-coloured exterior mirrors are also part of the new exterior package.

Additional new design elements, which apply to both Ghia and Ghia Turbo models, include a new fender feature, turn indicators integrated into the side mirrors, side steps and privacy glass on rear passenger, rear side and tailgate windows.

Alloy wheels are now standard on Territory TX models, while new design alloy wheels will feature across the rest of the Territory range. Fog lamps have also been added as standard equipment on TS models with the new look SY Territory MkII.

The interior of the new Territory has also received a significant freshening, with new seat materials, colour finishes and trim highlights on all models, along with the choice of two new interior environments on TS and Ghia.

Territory TX now comes standard with side curtain airbags, cruise control, 17-inch alloy wheels and a full-body colour package for the bumpers, door handles and mirrors.

Territory TS is also fitted with the full-body colour package, along with a reverse parking camera, front fog lamps, leather-wrapped steering wheel, handbrake and gearshift, and a third row seat as standard.

Ghia models also gain a third row seat as standard equipment, along with an Alpine rear DVD system, side steps, rear privacy glass and 18-inch alloy wheels, while the Ghia Turbo picks up the same additions and a new alloy wheel design (18-inch wheels are already standard fitment on the top-of-the-line Territory model).

"Territory remains the only medium SUV designed, engineered and built in Australia for Australian lifestyles and conditions," Burela said. "The extensive list of design, feature and equipment changes on the new-look SY Territory MkII will ensure it remains a great value SUV package.