[fpv_gtho]

ADDING THE CRAFTSMAN'S TOUCH

The large number of 'clean sheet' design parts in Territory provided the passionate craftsmanship team with an enormous challenge.

"Everyone got involved in the craftsmanship ideal of enhancing the visual and tactile quality of Territory," said project leader Salman Shami.

"The designers, the modellers, the CAD operators, the design engineering teams, the plant team, assembly operators, the test and development teams and our suppliers were an integral part of a concerted effort to provide a product the customer would recognise as something special.

"As with Barra, every single detail of Territory was examined, studying ways of improving quality and satisfying all the customer's senses when they sat in the car."

Exterior craftsmanship

The new doors and body side panels of Territory provided the craftsmanship team with the opportunity to start from scratch.

"We spent hundreds of hours studying the vehicle, from inside and outside, to ensure a clean, harmonious appearance.

"As this element of Territory consists of so many parts it represented a difficult task to co-ordinate. Starting from the initial design stage, we employed clay, stainless steel and computer generated models to allow the team to study the vehicle from all angles.

"Ultimately we made hundreds of changes, to finish with a profile boasting superb parallel lines that flow smoothly – particularly in the door openings.

"By getting in early, we found we would achieve all the characteristics required for good crash strength and structural rigidity, combined with a clean and uncluttered look."

All external touch and lift points received similar attention.

"The door handles were optimised to ensure the feel was comfortable and smooth and the rear deck lid lift handle designed to ensure it is smooth to the touch.

"To operate the lift gate and the flip glass two micro switches are used, which feel superior to the conventional paddle system. To ensure good grip even in the rain, the handle uses a specially developed non slip texture."

Interior craftsmanship

Shami said his team worked hard to add finishing touches to complement the design team's innovative interior.

"The luggage compartment in Territory boasts high quality luggage tie-downs. They're not cheap wire types, but die-cast zinc alloy items plated in durable chrome. They were chosen not only for their robust design, but also for their high quality look and feel."

"Our engineers spent a lot of time and effort ensuring the interior feels solid, robust and 'well screwed together'.

"After the first prototypes were built, we began in earnest to tune the sounds and operational feel of the controls and components within the vehicle.

"All surfaces were pushed and prodded and every storage compartment thoroughly analysed.

"One example was the lid for the top compartment on the dashboard. This was examined and tuned to ensure that it opened and closed smoothly and with a refined sound.

"Another example is the bottle holder strap. That particular design team went through many design iterations tuning the tactile feel, operational feel and the sound it makes when released.

"In the process they had to reject many tools before they were completely satisfied that that part met the high standards of craftsmanship for this vehicle."

Shami said these examples represented just a few of more than one thousand areas of Territory which were analysed and improved by the craftsmanship team.

"It may take some customers months – even years – to discover and delight in this painstaking attention to detail.

"But the smile on their faces when they find and appreciate the detail will make those thousands of hours worthwhile," Shami said.