Ford has confirmed the model line-up for its refreshed Territory SZ Mk II SUV range. There are three variants – TX, TS and Titanium – in either rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive.
An updated eight-inch colour touch screen sits atop the stack, offering control by either touch, buttons, or voice commands through Ford’s SYNC 2 system. That interface also features an Australian-accented audio guide.
The 4L in-line six cylinder petrol and 2.7L V6 TDCi engines carry over in the 2014 Territory line-up. and engine options will again include a 195kW/391Nm six-cylinder petrol and a 140kW/440Nm TDCi diesel, the latter now accounting for more than half of all Territory sales.
Titanium customers gain new 18’’ alloy wheels, SYNC2 infotainment system, rain-sensing wipers, stainless steel scuff plates, front fog lamps and side steps. Rear-seat roof-mounted DVD player and seven seats continue as family-focused standard features on Titanium.
TS customers gain new features previously reserved for Titanium including privacy glass, exterior side mirrors with inset indicators and a new front fog lamp design. 18’’ alloy wheels (new design), standard seven-seats and cloth seats with leather side bolsters carry over from the current TS model.
TX gains new features including new 17’’ alloy wheels, an 8’’ colour touch screen with SYNC2 and significantly, a reversing camera making the feature now standard across the Territory range.
SYNC 2 key aspects
As part of the announcement by Ford Australia, the first images and details of the 2015 Ford Territory line-up reveal a car full of customer-focused smart technologies that include Ford’s SYNC2 connectivity system with emergency Assistance standard across the range.
SYNC2 offers customers three distinct ways to interact with the system, through the high-resolution 8-inch colour touch screen, physical buttons and advanced voice control. The driver can control the car’s entertainment system, climate control, satellite navigation and linked mobile devices – like compatible smartphones – with voice commands.
“The voice system was tuned specifically for Australia which helps SYNC understand voice commands spoken with an Australian accent,” says Adrian McGibbon, supervisor, multimedia systems, Ford Asia Pacific.
In partnership with Nuance, SYNC2 has been regionalised to accommodate many different languages, dialects and accents including the three main varieties of Australian English.
Nuance’s natural text-to-speech technology is also behind “Karen”, the female voice of the Australian English voice on SYNC, providing drivers with a more natural, conversational experience with their Ford vehicle
The Sync2 system was only first revealed in the updated Ford Focus earlier this year and will debut first in Australia in the Falcon and Territory before the small hatch and sedan go on-sale locally early in 2015.
The 2015 model spread will be:
- TX: three models – RWD petrol, RWD diesel, AWD diesel
- TS: three models – RWD petrol, RWD diesel, AWD diesel
- Titanium: three models – RWD petrol, RWD diesel, AWD diesel
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