DETROIT MOTOR SHOW: Ford reveals Territory replacement

Ford has revealed the facelifted Edge SUV ahead of its world debut at the Detroit motor show next week, providing our first look at the belated replacement for Australia’s homegrown Territory.

Ford Australia has already confirmed the Edge will be called the Endura when it finally arrives in showrooms late this year, but has been unable to release images until this upgraded model was unveiled.

The Edge/Endura midlife makeover brings revised front-end styling via a new bonnet, front bumper and wider grille, a new tailgate flanked by LED tail-lights, dual exhaust outlets, a fresh interior centre console with rotary gearshift dial and new technologies.

Prevented from using the Edge name here by Toyota, Ford settled on the Endura name – short for endurance and consistent with EcoSport, Escape and Everest -- after considering Territory and Equator.

The bad news is this aggressive looking blue SUV – Ford’s first Edge ST, powered by a 2.7-litre turbo-petrol V6 -- won’t be coming Down Under because it’s not produced in right-hand drive.

Instead, Australia’s Endura (pictured here in red Titanium form), will only be offered in five-seat diesel form, although a number of equipment grades will be available.

Based on the same platform as the Mondeo, the Endura will be imported from Canada, where Ford produces five-seat versions for North America and Europe. A longer seven-seat version of the Edge/Endura is made in China for China.

Ford Australia has been without a large, car-based seven-seat crossover wagon since it ended Territory production – and quit local manufacturing – in October 2016, two months after confirming the Edge for Australia.

It says it is not concerned that the relatively expensive, Ranger ute-based Everest will continue to be Ford’s only seven-seat SUV in a large SUV market dominated by car-based three-row models like the Toyota Kluger, Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sorento, Nissan Pathfinder and Mazda CX-9.

No specifications have been announced for the Australian-spec Endura, but it’s likely to echo that of the European-spec Edge, which is currently powered by a 154kW/450Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel.

For what it’s worth, the US-spec 2019 Edge, which hits North American showrooms by mid-2018, will be powered by an upgraded 185kW 2.0-litre turbo-petrol EcoBoost four-cylinder engine with idle-stop.

Meanwhile, the new Edge ST packs a 250kW twin-turbo 2.7-litre V6, both matched to a new eight-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is optional in the Edge and standard in the Edge ST.

Other new standard features for the US Edge include dual-function LED headlights, Post-Collision Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go, WiFi hotspot for up to 10 devices and the option of Evasive Steering Assist, Lane Centering, a wireless charging pad and 12-speaker B&O Play sound system.

These new features are in addition to previously fitted driver-assist tech including Forward Collision Warning and Dynamic Brake Support, Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection, BLIS with Cross-Traffic Alert, Lane Departure Warning and Hill-Start Assist.

Prompting Ford to name the Edge its smartest SUV, also available are 180-degree front and rear cameras, and SYNC3 infotainment with 8.0-inch colour touch-screen.

The 2019 Edge ST, meantime, adds a sportier body kit with mesh grille, upgraded suspension, Sport Mode, a quicker auto, “the most powerful V6 engine in its class” and the option of upgraded brakes and 21-inch wheels.

Interior ST additions include a branded steering wheel, seat backs and scuff plates.

As with Europe’s Edge, top-end versions of Australia’s Endura should come with most of Ford’s latest safety and luxury equipment, including autonomous emergency braking, 360-degree camera, panoramic glass sunroof, leather trim, rear entertainment system, wheel sizes up to 21-inch and SYNC3 infotainment with 10.1-inch colour LCD.

However, apart from a third row of seats, the 2.0-litre diesel Endura will lack the Everest’s 3.2-litre five-cylinder diesel engine, switchable 4WD system with low-range ratios, 3000kg tow capacity and generous ground clearance.

Expect Endura pricing to open below that of the Everest, which currently starts at $47,990 for the RWD Ambiente.