Territory - panel van, Sandman, XR models

[turbodewd]

Why was there never an XR Terri? Surely offering the XR colors and XR mags and maybe some other trivial things would have been very cheap to do and surely there would be a market for this. Perhaps remove the last row of seats too.

Why was there never any Terri equivalent of the Sandman? Make the last glass panes plastic, put a funky design on them. Remove the back row of seats again. Put thingies on the roof for holding ski or surf equipment.

Any why did the FG never get a factory sunroof out of curiosity?

[Itsme]

If there were a market today for that look I'm sure Ford would have done it.....
I think the look of sandman is consigned to history.

Cheers.

[madwag]

Would be interesting to see one with a XR face.

Whos good at photoshop?

[nstg8a]

I thought e series were the last ones to get a true factory sunroof? Since then they're mostly dealer fit aren't they?

[EASYBOSS]

There is an XR model in New Zealand, not sure how, never seen one in Australia, maybe its a Ford NZ thing

Here if a link to a few on TradeMe in NZ

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Cate...ch_suggested=9

[nstg8a]

Originally Posted by EASYBOSS

There is an XR model in New Zealand, not sure how, never seen one in Australia, maybe its a Ford NZ thing

Here if a link to a few on TradeMe in NZ

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Cate...ch_suggested=9

The only thing xr about them is the badge on the rear....

[jpd80]

I Asked Sinead about an XR6 Territory and got the blunt response that Ford fels the "Value pack" approach to
Territory like "SR" is a much better delivery. Has anyone seen a value pack in SZ Terry in the last few years?
I think Ford has lost interest in value packs and is now completely focused on higher profit diesel versions..

[FPV GTHO]

Look how long it took the diesel to get off the ground, and that had the most opportunity to increase sales over anything mentioned here.

XR model likely would've needed bigger wheels and sports suspension to be distinctive enough. Which would've cost alot with stability control calibration.

Sandman would've been a blind spot nightmare with limited appeal surely.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by FPV GTHO

Look how long it took the diesel to get off the ground, and that had the most opportunity to increase sales over anything mentioned here.
XR model likely would've needed bigger wheels and sports suspension to be distinctive enough. Which would've cost alot with stability control calibration.

In 2006, Ford didn't consider a Diesel Territory as that important because only 25% of SUVs were diesels back then
and the Turbo territory was cheaper to do and more in line with Territory's "sporty Image" Ford's words not mine...
LINK to 2006 article


Ford's lack of vision with Disel territory is legendary in local manufacturing ciricles..

[Nikked]

I think the F6X showed us that a sports territory is of limited appeal.

I'd rather see a "wildtrack" type special edition.

[Falcojimmy]

Umm... When you guys say Sandman, you mean Sundowner right? Or am I in the wrong place...

[Raptor]

Originally Posted by Nikked

I think the F6X showed us that a sports territory is of limited appeal.

....

The only things that limited the appeal was the ridiculous high price and the lack of decent specs (larger wheels/tyres, higher level trim). TTG was much better value.

A decent XR Territory at a sensible price would have sold gangbusters IMHO.

Something closer to the original R7 concept car would have worked for me

[galaxy xr8]

Originally Posted by jpd80

I Asked Sinead about an XR6 Territory and got the blunt response that Ford fels the "Value pack" approach to
Territory like "SR" is a much better delivery. Has anyone seen a value pack in SZ Terry in the last few years?
I think Ford has lost interest in value packs and is now completely focused on higher profit diesel versions..

That is very concerning that they believe in that considering just how well the XR nameplate has sold for Ford in general, not to mention the stand alone XR6, I believe a XR6 version of the Territory would be more apealing to the consumer then a stand alone value pack SR Territory.

It really does make you wonder on some of the decisions being made at Ford Aus.

[rdmr]

V8 Territory anyone?

[302 XC]

Originally Posted by Falcojimmy

Umm... When you guys say Sandman, you mean Sundowner right? Or am I in the wrong place...

Same jockie,different horses .....
I think the whole van scene is a thing of the past
If car makes cant sell something that's tried and trued for decades,how is one of specials gunna appeal to the family man .....
"Yeah kids jump in the back,no seatbelts",like the good ole days ....no thanks
I just cant see a real demand for such a thing,theres too many other makers doin mini vans out there,its another market to crack into

[Polyal]

Originally Posted by galaxy xr8

That is very concerning that they believe in that considering just how well the XR nameplate has sold for Ford in general, not to mention the stand alone XR6, I believe a XR6 version of the Territory would be more apealing to the consumer then a stand alone value pack SR Territory.

It really does make you wonder on some of the decisions being made at Ford Aus.

Agreed, gawd what have they got to loose?

I also dont know why Australia has some mental block when it comes to TDi and the option of even thinking about a sporty version. No one is asking for it to be a power house, or even have the engine touched at all, but why do TDi buyers have to be restricted to base model or "high end".

[xr gr8]

A RWD SY 6 Speed XR Territory sitting on 19's with some firmed up suspension would have been a good base sport model.

[Road_Warrior]

From a perspective of making the car, there is no reason why Ford could not make an XR Territory. They don't need to do any mechanical changes to the car, because all soccer mum/family buyers are after is sporty looks - something the Territory range doesnt have. The seat fabric, alloy wheels, paint codes, trim pieces and the like are already in the Ford parts bin and all they would need to make that would be model specific is a token skirt kit. But it would seem Ford have decided that it's all too hard.

[Crazy Dazz]

Originally Posted by Raptor

The only things that limited the appeal was the ridiculous high price and the lack of decent specs (larger wheels/tyres, higher level trim). TTG was much better value.

A decent XR Territory at a sensible price would have sold gangbusters IMHO.

F6X was a great idea, let down by fitting the old engine, a truly awful interior, and really offering nothing you couldn’t get in the TGT.
If COULD have more relevance now because there is NO TT, and no AWD I6.

Other problem with the Terri is that they are trying to squeeze so many variants out of identical cars. I reckon that replacing the TS with a “sporty” model (“XR” or whatever you want to call it) could work.

As for a panel van version, umm, err… Most PVs were used by tradesmen and the police, not sure a Terri is a good fit for those purposes. Sundowners and Sandmans are gone for good because the cops now frown on piling 13 people into the back. But I do agree that FA could do more to promote the “sporty” aspect of the Terri. Not everyone out there is a family man looking for a wagon, there are a lot of DINKs and CUBs.

[JG34JA]

Re: the token skirt kit RoadWarrior, there was a similar kind of thing as an option on Territory's 2004 release, considered it for our SR when ordering but felt it looked better in single colour and decided on Kashmir two tone instead. From memory it included bonnet lower skirt, rear bumper lower skirt and tailgate spoiler...

Also I note sports SUVs are making something of a comeback, with Range Rover Sport RS on the way and a host of German uber-wagons.

[jpd80]

What about re naming the TS as XR6 and adding appropriate changes, a change in perception?
Ford could then relaunch a Territory XR6 Turbo...