Sprung! Ford’s last-ever true blue Territory

HERE it is, Australia’s last-ever locally made Ford Territory.

Images obtained exclusively by Wheels leave no secrets about how the final Territory will look when it slips into showrooms towards the end of this year.

As our two images reveal, the Territory SZ Mk II is far from a major redesign. This high-specification Titanium model features a more slimline, slatted chrome grille than the current model, with brushed aluminium-look trim framing the daytime running lights.

The images also show that the Territory will not share the headlights revealed for the final Falcon last week, with the bonnet also carried across from the current model. However, the false grille directly under the bonnet gains a finer chrome strip that adds an air of refinement.

Below the grille, the Territory features a more rugged looking, notched splitter set at either end with more functional vents feeding air into the brakes.

Along the Territory’s flanks and down the rear, little has changed.

Wheels can also reveal some of the details of how the line-up will shape, with little changed from the current model.

Buyers will still be able to mix and choose from three separate models – an entry-level TX, mid-specification TS and high-end Titanium, in either rear- or all-wheel-drive layout.

The specifications seen by Wheels show the final Territory will sit on new-look 17- or 18-inch wheels depending on the model, while under the bonnet the longstanding, locally made 195kW in-line six-cylinder petrol engine will sell alongside the 140kW 2.7-litre diesel V6 borrowed from the Jaguar program and carried over to this generation.

The Territory is also expected to carry over the six-speed automatic gearbox that sits behind the V6 engines in the current line-up.

Importantly, though, the figures listed with these images show the final Territory has been on a weight-loss program.

The entry-level TX is expected to lose 16kg in weight, while at the top end of the range the Titanium sheds 24kg, although the details are not specific enough to say how these weight reductions have been achieved.

The shedded kilos are expected to result in marginal improvements to the Territory’s fuel use for both the petrol and diesel models. In the diesel, it could see the big SUV’s economy rating dip below 8.0L/100km.

Underneath, the final Territory sits on the same footprint as the model it replaces, and is identical in every other measurement.

As with the previous model, Ford will make a seven-seat version of the Territory optional for the entry-level TX, but both the TS and Titanium will come standard with all three rows, although buyers will able to step down to a five-seat version if requested.