Diesel Territory busted

Only weeks after Ford's computer generated image hit the net an eagle-eyed Carsales Network reader has spotted Ford's new diesel-powered Territory out in the open.

Parked in a shopping centre car park in Inverloch, the revised 2011 Ford Territory is seen without camouflage showing a kinetic influenced front end housing, you guessed it, an intercooler for the Blue Oval's new turbodiesel powerplant.

According to our sleuthy snapper, the SUV is a Territory TS AWD Diesel and appears to be all but ready to hit the road. The tailgate badging had black tape over what is assumed to be the diesel badge which was adhered beneath the 'Territory' lettering.

Due in showrooms within the first half of this year, the remodelled Territory sports a new bonnet, front guards, bumper, headlamps and taillamps. Otherwise the body is mostly unchanged.

Inside too, changes are said to mimic the interior found in FG series Falcons though unfortunately for our snapper, the dash and console were covered.

But the big change comes under the bonnet. The Territory finally lands a much-needed turbodiesel engine, bringing with it fuel economy gains the likes of which Ford's 4.0-litre six-cylinder petrol could not hope to achieve.

The engine is a JLR-sourced 2.7-litre V6 as-fitted to the Land Rover Discovery 4. In that car, the unit produces 140kW and 440Nm; figures certain to ensure ample performance (the Disco managing the 0-100km/h jaunt in 12.7 seconds).

In Discovery the six-cylinder turbodiesel utilises a 24-valve arrangement with high-pressure common-rail fuel supply, direct injection and variable nozzle turbocharger with intercooler. At this point there is no word on just how much of this technology Ford has altered.

Fuel economy figures are estimated to run somewhere in the vicinity of 10.0L/100km combined with highway mileage dropping to mid 8s.

Pricing and full specifications will be announced closer to the launch.

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