A Dark Art: New Ford Territory flagship SUV arrives in SA
The new Ford Territory Dark Edition has the same turbocharged 1.8-litre petrol engine producing 138kW and 318Nm.
It's available in Lustrous Crystal White, Grey, Panther Black, and Ruby Red.
Unique to the Territory Dark Edition is a new 360-degree camera.
A year after its launch, Ford South Africa has introduced its first update to the Territory range with the new Dark Edition, replacing the outgoing and former flagship Territory Titanium.
The Dark Edition is a relatively mild update, altering the vehicle's main cosmetic focal points but not going beyond skin deep.
As the name suggests, anything formerly chrome or mirror-finish has been replaced with high-gloss black. These include its satin black grille, high-gloss black treatment for the skid plate, fog light accents and mirror caps. It looks particularly striking in Crystal White but is available in other colours, such as Lustrous Grey, Panther Black, and Ruby Red.
Inside, the polarising blue and black leather combination in the Titanium makes way for conventional black leather to match the Territory Dark Edition's charcoal black headliner, pillars, door trims, and instrument panel with Cyber Orange stitching.
As the new flagship in the range, it inherits the Titanium's technological full house. Nice-to-haves such as the eight-speaker sound system, wireless charging and the 12.3-inch high-definition digital instrument cluster in combination with the 12.3-inch landscape infotainment touchscreen are all standard.
Safety features are equally weighty and include Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Cross-Traffic Alert, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go, Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking, Lane Keep Assist, Lane Departure Warning and Lane Change Assist.
Unique to the Territory Dark Edition is a new 360-degree camera that provides all-round visibility.
With 138kW of power and 318Nm sent to the front wheels via a seven-speed DCT automatic gearbox, the Dark Edition can't use its bolder looks to race ahead of its siblings. The 1.8-litre turbocharged engine is unchanged, as are the four driving modes: Eco, Normal, Sport, and Mountain.
In a fiercely competitive segment that seems to gain new, mostly Chinese, competitors almost weekly, the new Dark Edition will hope to shed a lot more light on the avalanche of SUVs.
Pricing
Territory Dark Edition 1.8L EcoBoost 7AT – R733 000
Pricing includes a six-year or 90 000km Ford Optional Service Plan, four-year or 120 000km Ford warranty, four-year or unlimited-distance Roadside Assistance, and a five-year or unlimited-distance corrosion warranty. In addition, over-the-counter (OTC) parts and service parts warranty (SPW) are covered for two years or unlimited distance. The recommended service interval is 15 000km or annually, whichever occurs first.
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