Following an extensive development programme the covers have finally come off the highly anticipated new-model Ford Territory. The Australian-designed-and-developed SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle) has undergone an extensive visual update inside and out. The new Territory wears a stylish suit cut from Ford's kinetic design language and its bold new look makes it instantly recognisable as a member of Ford's comprehensive model family.
Redesigning the multi-award-winning Ford Territory meant building on its already clean and attractive looks, the result of the first-generation Territory's original design goal: to create a vehicle that embodied the strength and power of a traditional SUV while having the prestige, agility and nimbleness of a sporting sedan. The new Ford Territory has taken this to another level.
Underpinning new Ford Territory's design was its dual personality: a sophisticated and sporty urban wagon for weekdays and a family getaway vehicle on weekends. Successfully presenting these two functional roles in an exciting visual form was the responsibility of the Ford Australia design team, headed by Chris Svensson, Design Director for Ford Asia Pacific and Africa.
"We worked hard to ensure the new Territory was an evolution of the original model and, through the use of Ford's distinct design DNA, also gave a hint of the future," Svensson said. "To achieve this we applied Ford's unique style philosophy: kinetic design. Kinetic design comprises several specific elements, all of which are present in the new Ford Territory. They are confident stance, dynamic lines, expressive form language, taut surfacing, bold graphics and great detailing. When you combine them they convey movement and athleticism. In other words, the vehicle looks like it is moving when standing still. The overall visual effect of kinetic design is simple: in the case of the new Ford Territory it communicates its dynamic capabilities and fun-to-drive spirit."
“The interior of the new Ford Territory is sophisticated and sporty and builds on the model’s famed functionality and comfort.”
- Scott Ferrier, Design Manager – Passenger Car Interiors
The Ford Australia design team responsible for the new Territory’s interior has worked to build on the model’s famed functionality and attractive cabin. New Territory’s five- or seven-seat flexibility, user-friendly technology and driver-oriented cockpit provide the ideal environment for today’s modern family.
Melbourne-based Scott Ferrier, Ford Asia Pacific and Africa’s Design Manager for passenger car interiors, said it was vital to maintain familiarity when developing new Territory’s interior.
“When we first designed the Territory our customers hailed the vehicle’s functionality, spaciousness, and design,” he said.
“Territory is a very successful model for Ford. We had to enhance it with respect to its many existing owners, all of whom are essential to the model’s continued success.
“Hence, there are several aspects to the new Territory’s interior that identify with the original model.
“Drivers will find the positioning of the new Territory’s controls both familiar and easy to use. The layout of the panel’s instrument cluster and central LED screen, the centre console, button controls and steering column-mounted stalk controls are stylish and logical.”
Instrument Panel (IP), Steering Wheel and All-new 8-inch Touch Screen
The new Territory’s fundamental interior architecture remains unchanged and starts with its seven-seat “theatre-style” seating layout (standard fitment on Titanium and TS, optional at extra cost on TX).
Each of the three variants – TX, TS and Titanium – receives unique cabin treatments taken from new Territory’s kinetic design DNA.
Customers will instantly feel at home with the clearly visible Ford design language obvious in the new Territory’s enhanced interior space.
Headlining the list of enhancements are the new instrument panel (IP), centre console, and four-spoke steering wheel, all of which share their design origins from the current-model FG Falcon sedan. The design of their push-button controls and elegant layout add to the interior’s up-to-date feel.
Behind the new four-spoke steering wheel, the new instrument panel’s easy-to-read gauge cluster with centrally mounted LED screen is elegant and effective. New, round air vents are located at each end of the new instrument panel. These not only enhance the look of the cabin but also provide efficient cooling and heating.
The new Territory’s Interior Command Centre (ICC) – which is located at the centre of the instrument panel – is also familiar from the FG Falcon but it arrives in the new Territory with a special addition. In an Australian Ford-first, the new Territory will be available with Ford’s advanced eight-inch colour touch screen – a technology milestone for an Australian-built Ford vehicle. This stylish and simple-to-use feature will be fitted to the Territory TS and Titanium models as standard equipment. The Territory TX will be fitted with a 5.8-inch monochromatic display screen.
This signature touch-screen feature is mounted at the top of the instrument panel’s ICC and within easy view and reach for both the driver and front passenger. The sleek-looking unit controls functions such as Territory’s audio system, telephone and climate controls.
Scott Ferrier: “The new colour touch screen is very easy to operate from both front seats and we worked hard to ensure it is suitably recessed to shield it from direct sunlight.”
At the base of the ICC and located just ahead of the transmission gear shifter is another all-new feature. A stylish tambour door conceals a deeply recessed storage bin with ample room for mobile telephones, CDs, iPods or small cameras. It also offers dedicated storage for a tissue box and has an integrated pen holder and a 12-volt accessory outlet.
This storage unit is a clever addition to Territory’s famed functionality and packaging. The roller-action tambour door has been carefully developed to provide a smooth and damped action reminiscent of those found in more expensive European cars. It has also been sculpted as part of the new Territory’s centre console, the comfortable design of which will also be familiar to Ford drivers.
The centre console now comes with recessed cup holders for better stowage and their rubber surrounds offer increased support. They are also located well clear of the handbrake and transmission shifter.
Another key aspect of the new Territory’s interior design is the structural wrap-around for the centre console and the satin spears. These emphasise strength and are one of the many kinetic design touches that match Territory’s interior with its exterior.
For some, designing a vehicle with two personalities would be considered a tough challenge. Not for Todd Willing, Ford Asia Pacific and Africa's Melbourne-based chief designer responsible for the new Territory's stunning look.
"Ford Territory's credentials as the weekday family car ideal for weekend getaways are well established and it is this dual personality - one of Territory's many attractive features - that is emphasised in its new exterior design," Willing said. "The new Territory exhibits a rugged outdoors-oriented look but its contemporary design is just as at home in the city. Keeping that connection was important, as was showcasing Ford's distinct design DNA - especially the styling hallmarks from the company's passenger car family."
Front
The front end of the new Ford Territory uses a modern tri-plane design. This kinetic facial layout achieves its dynamic look by combining several important elements.
Precision-design projector headlights give the new Territory an immediate attitude that is modern and polished. These are connected visually by a slim-line upper air intake grille that wears a unique wing-formed shape formed from a single bar. This sharp design element surrounds the centrally mounted Blue Oval badge. It is an entirely new design feature from the Ford Australia design team.
"By adding some definition around the Ford badge we have made it more three-dimensional and prominent without changing its size," Willing said. "It is an important feature fitted to the new Ford Territory's frontal design and one which has the potential to be adopted elsewhere."
One of new Territory's most dominating frontal features is its new centrally located main grille opening. This clipped trapezoidal air intake is an important part of Territory's kinetic styling and features an eye-catching triple open-bar design. These bars are given additional attention on the range-leading Titanium version by wearing a chrome finish for a high-jewel effect.
"Dominating the front-end design of the new Ford Territory is its striking trapezoid main grille, a design feature our global design colleagues have recognised as highly creative in forging Territory as a uniquely Australian design," Willing said.
The clipped trapezoid-shaped air intake is more than just a showpiece; its eye-catching shape is also the result of the Ford Territory's cooling needs.
Todd Willing: "The overall main grille design is tied into Territory's engine cooling airflow requirements so getting the final shape absolutely correct had as much to do with engineering as it did aesthetics."
Moving downwards, new Ford Territory's face is completed by an integrated U-form lower chin skid plate. This subtle design feature emphasises Territory's versatility as an outdoor-lifestyle vehicle. It is also a strong yet smooth design element that finishes the vehicle's new frontal style.
Another first for new Ford Territory is the fitment of high-tech LED (Light-Emitting Diode) position lamps. These are fitted to the range-leading Territory Titanium and are usually found on more expensive European SUVs. They are located at the outer edges of the lower trapezoid grille and they operate as position lamps. They also constitute a signature design feature for Ford Territory Titanium. Round fog lights are fitted to the mid-range TS model.
Bonnet
Moving up to the bonnet, Willing and his team have added more surface sculpting.
"We wanted to add more muscularity to the bonnet design with a modest bulge that hints at the available power underneath," Willing said. "These details refer to the arrival of the new TDCi V6 engine and the finer sculpture treatments across both the bonnet and front of the car add to the message of a more dynamic design."
Side profile
The new Territory wears fender features, also known as guard flutes, that add to its sense of strength. This design detail also helps differentiate between each of the models in the series: TX, TS and Titanium. The chrome finish fitted to the Titanium hints at its premium status.
Willing: "The Ford Territory's doors now wear a more integrated design and we have surfaced the door cladding and lower door moulding to make it flusher. The body is given a lower look overall which is a more dynamic appearance."
The SUV's integrated roof rails carry over from the outgoing model Territory and make cross-bar mounting easy to enhance the vehicle's versatility.
TX
ICC (Interior Command Centre) medium shadow metallic
Momentum fabric seat inserts; woven Jacob fabric in seat bolsters
Instrument panel and console spears in platinum metallic
Interior environment in Shadow (black)
Satin Chrome door handle releases
Steering wheel-mounted control buttons finished in Shadow (black)
TS
ICC Medium Platinum Metallic
Essence fabric seat inserts; Miller suede fabric in seat bolsters
Instrument panel and console spears in Platinum Metallic
Interior environment in Shadow (black)
Satin Chrome door handle releases
Steering wheel-mounted control buttons finished in Satin Alloy
Titanium
ICC Medium Platinum Metallic
Seats upholstered in leather
Instrument panel and console spears in Platinum Gloss
Interior environment in Shadow (black) or Cashmere (light beige)
Bright Chrome door handle releases
Extensive use of Satin Alloy and Bright Chrome in ICC switchgear
Top stitching on centre console armrest (matches stitching on all seats)
Steering wheel-mounted control button finished in Satin Alloy
COLOUR AND MATERIALS DESIGN
An essential element of new Ford Territory's interior design brief was the use of more luxurious fabrics on all model variants, giving the occupant space a high level of quality, sophistication and comfort.
Emily Lai, Ford Australia's Design Manager for Colours and Materials, said the new Territory's architectural-type interior finishes of satin and bright chrome were the result of customer feedback.
"Our customers made it clear they wanted to feel like they were in a car, not a truck," she said. "The new Ford Territory's cabin environment is both sporty and sophisticated and its high chrome and satin highlights are modelled on the architectural finishes found in many modern homes and businesses. Both satin and gloss finishes not only provide a high level of sophisticated elegance but link the vehicle's exterior styling with the interior."
The stylish cabin design carries from the front-seat area to the middle- and third-row passengers, areas often overlooked by designers. There is no compromise with the look and feel of the materials from the front of the cabin to the rear.
The new Territory will be available in a variety of upholstery colours and finishes. For example, the no-cost optional light-coloured leather seats in the new range-leading Titanium model, Cashmere, provides a tonal environment that reflects light with the use of high-gloss and satin-metallic finishes. It adds a feeling of heightened visual comfort traditionally found in luxury cars and SUVs. The interior of the Titanium model is partly upholstered in high-grade leather and will also be available in a Shadow (black) environment. The mid-level TS model also wears a Shadow environment and will feature a colour keyed cloth-suede combination seat trim and satin-metallic finishes. The TX will be available in a Shadow environment offering a colour-harmonised cloth seat trim and technical satin finish accents. source:www.zulva.com,www.netcarshow.com
