Although this pair of white Territorys look identical to most other Territorys on the road, it takes an eagle eye to spot the glaring differences.
If you have a look at the front end, the front-mount intercooler is visible, as is a side mounted radiator, which has had a fog light removed for extra breathing room.
In addition to the turbo-diesel engine, Ford will also be fitting out the interior of the Territory with the FG Falcon dashboard and fascia.
As you can see from the interior picture, the centre stack and tachometer/speedometer cluster are a replica of that fitted to the current Falcon.
Shortly after receiving a mouthful of vulgar language from the driver of the first pictured vehicle, our photographer spotted yet another diesel powered Territory.
Further investigation has found that Ford is currently testing 14 Territorys with the same engine, as described below.
Ford were meant to have the ‘new’ Territory ready for the Melbourne International Motor show but ran into trouble with the originally slated five-cylinder turbo-diesel unit used in the Volvo range.
Instead, CarAdvice has exclusively obtained information which confirms all 14 Territory test mules, along with the final Territory Diesel product will be powered by the outgoing 2.7-litre, turbo-diesel, V6 from Land Rover’s Discovery3 range.
While the Land Rover Discovery3 weighs a hefty 2.4-tonne, Ford’s Territory is a slimmer 1.9-tonne with diesel fitted. The loss of weight, along with the 140kW/445Nm Land Rover Discovery3 engine will mean the Territory will be one slick moving machine.
Ford is expected to use their current relationship with ZF Sachs to mesh the 6-speed automatic from the Falcon range into the diesel Territory.
The roof on the first vehicle pictured also looks to be modified, suggesting a full length glass roof could be on the way.
While it’s good to see the project coming along, it is well and truly overdue. This vehicle should have been finished over a year ago and ready to hit the market for the Melbourne International Motor Show.
When asked about the release date for the next generation Territory, Ford spokesperson Sinead McAlary told CarAdvice “We don’t comment so specifically on the timing of future model programs”.
There was speculation at the recent Territory launch that a revised model would arrive in early 2010. If that’s the case, you can expect to see the arrival of Ford’s Diesel powered Territory around the same time.
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