Ford Oz announces replacement for outgoing locally-built SUV

Ford Australia’s outgoing Territory SUV will be replaced in 2018 with the Edge SUV from Ford’s global platform.

The SUV’s models and specification is yet to be confirmed for the Australian market, but is expected to come in both FWD and AWD drivetrains, with petrol and diesel options.

In the US, Edge gets four model variants, the SE base-model, SEL second-tier, Titanium third-tier and the top-spec Sport. The 2.0-litre turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder, making roughly 183kW and 373Nm of torque, or 3.5-litre VCT V6 putting out 209kW and 339Nm, are both available across the first three US variants. The Sport gets a 2.7-litre twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6 with 235kW and 474Nm, and all models get a six-speed automatic transmission. Australian specifications are unconfirmed.

Photo James Lipman / jameslipman.com

Driver assist technologies in the US-spec Edge which are likely to be available here include ‘adaptive steering’ which loads or eases steering input based on speed, active park assist with side sensors, front 180-degree camera for seeing around tight-angle corners, lane-keeping system, adaptive cruise control and rear cross-traffic alert. Again, which options will be available on what variants in Australia is unconfirmed. Tyre pressure monitoring, trailer sway control and on-demand all-wheel drive will be key features for tool-of-trade or rural demands in fleets, and Ford’s SYNC3 infotainment system will likely be standard across the range.

The Edge is also available in Europe and the UK.

Photo James Lipman / jameslipman.com

Towing capacity is expected to be around 1500kg with a ‘Class II’ tow package, and up to 907kg for standard towing, although remains unconfirmed for Australia. The RWD Territory is currently able to tow 2300kg braked with heavy duty towing packages and 1600kg standard (750kg unbraked) – much greater than the current limits of the Edge.

Nomenclature of the Ford Edge is also uncertain for the Australian market due to Toyota owning trademark rights to ‘Edge’. It’s rumoured the Territory name could continue.

Territory production ends October 7, 2016

A five-seat option will also be added to the Ambiante base model Everest SUV, in either the recently announced rear-wheel (expected in showrooms by the end of 2016) drive or all-wheel drivetrains, in April-June 2017. A new gen-three Kuga will also be unveiled early next year, completing Ford’s SUV line-up: EcoSport, Kuga, Edge/Territory, Ranger ute and Everest. Ford Australia’s numbers anticipate SUV sales to overtake passenger car sales by the end of 2017, comprising 40 per cent of market sales.

Now could be the time to get great discounts on Territory stock.

EcoSport

Kuga 2017

Ranger 2016

Everest