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LOCAL STAR WINS WHEELS MAGAZINE CAR OF THE YEAR
AUSTRALIAN DESIGNED AND MADE CROSSOVER CAR TAKES TOP MOTORING AWARD
In a significant boost for the local car industry, an Australian-made and designed vehicle - one of the smart new breed of crossovers - has taken Australia's top motoring award.
The Ford Territory, which blends attributes of station wagons, people movers and 4WDs, is formally classed as a Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV). It is the first such vehicle to be named WHEELS Magazine Car Of The Year.
As part of the SUV category the Territory has been caught up in the flak directed at large, old-fashioned 4WDs on city roads. But Territory breaks this mould by offering both 4WD and lighter, more fuel-efficient 2WD models.
And because it is built in a similar fashion to a Ford Falcon, sharing key Falcon components, it also brings passenger-car manufacturing techniques, dynamics, refinement and safety levels to the category, at affordable prices.
"Today, one in every four cars sold in Australia belongs to the 4WD or SUV category. While this trend has been evident for some time, Territory is the first such car that is worthy of Australia's most coveted motoring award," notes editor Ged Bulmer.
"The Territory is unique in that it offers Australian consumers the size and passenger carrying advantages of a large 4WD, but is available in both 2WD and 4WD guises. Everything else in the SUV category is 4WD-only.
"In addition, it brings world-class levels of performance, handling, comfort and refinement, at a price that no imported competitor can match.
"Significantly, Territory also has impressive safety credentials. It's the first locally built model with side curtain airbags. Its electronic stability program (standard on all 4WD models) is the most advanced available. And Territory conforms to Australian government passenger car crash safety requirements that many imported 4WDs do not."
THE WHEELS MAGAZINE CAR OF THE YEAR
From a possible field of 31 new or significantly updated vehicles, 13 new models were nominated for Wheels Magazine Car Of The Year testing, with 42 variants tested during an exhaustive week-long program.
The Ford Territory ultimately took the prize from two worthy European finalists, the Golf MkV and Volvo's twin offering of the S40 sedan / V50 wagon.
The Territory is the result of Ford's quest to build a vehicle that satisfies the shifting demands of the Australian motoring public. Through extensive market research the company found that Australians are well aware of the shortcomings of existing 4WDs, people movers and sedan-based wagons. The Territory combines the best characteristics of all three styles.
As one of the judges noted, the Territory has not just copied best practice in SUVs. It has established best practice in many areas.
Territory's versatile interior is one of its most appealing aspects. Thoughtful design has endowed it with both excellent ergonomics and outstanding practicality. Several judges noted that Territory provided the best driving position of all the WHEELS Magazine COTY contenders.
Territory's range of storage options is brilliant, from the five-seater's under floor wet storage compartment, to the slide-away drawer beneath the driver's seat. No other competitor, regardless of price, delivers more practicality and user-friendliness than the Ford. Neither does any competitor drive so well.
Territory's ride is wonderfully compliant, yet it steers and handles with a level of finesse that is quite literally unrivalled. The chassis stability system is outstandingly effective. It won't make the Territory impossible to crash, but it is a very effective active safety feature that will help prevent many accidents.
A two-wheel drive version is available from a base price of $39,000 with the All-Wheel drive model costing an extra $4,000.
"This year's winner has taught the world a lesson about designing cars for the Australian market," adds Bulmer. "For practicality, user-friendliness, comfort, quietness, and driving pleasure, Territory is unrivalled." Full details appear in WHEELS.
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