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IOL News
02-07-2025
- Automotive
- IOL News
Exploring the Ford Territory Dark Edition: a family SUV that redefines style
The Ford Territory Dark Edition gets a satin black grille, the front skidplate receives high-gloss black treatment and additionally there are fog lamp accents and mirror caps. Image: supplied Special edition vehicles have always been a hit in the South African market, with Ford having launched a number of them successfully over the years, particularly with their double-cab bakkie Rangers and have now added the Territory Dark Edition to the mix. The family-oriented SUV, launched last year, has been a welcome addition to the Ford stable while also providing a boost to their monthly sales. The Territory focuses its attention on being a family-friendly SUV with a comfortable and spacious interior. The Dark Edition aims to capitalise on that by adding interior and exterior additions to make it stand out from the crowd. It's now on top of the Territory pyramid, replacing the Titanium model. Exterior On first glance at the launch drive, it certainly looks like Ford has done a good job, making it far more eye-catching than the outgoing Titanium. The front gets a satin black grille, the front skidplate receives high-gloss black treatment, and additionally, there are fog lamp accents and mirror caps. It stands on 19-inch Ebony Black alloy wheels, obviously, the roof gets the same high-gloss black finish as do the integrated roof rails, lower guard trim strip, window trim and the black 'Territory' badge at the rear. It's available in Star White, Lustrous Grey, Panther Black and Ruby Red. The Ford Territory Dark Edition is aimed at buyers with a family. Image: Supplied Interior Inside, there's been a metamorphosis over the standard interior, and the impression we got was that it looked and felt a lot more premium. The headliner and pillars are charcoal black, as are the leather perforated seats with Cyber Orange stitching, which is also present on the door trims, steering wheel and instrument panel inserts. A black painted strip frames the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and the 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen that's wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatible. There's loads of room for rear passengers while 448 litres of luggage space (1 422 litres with the rear seats folded) will swallow a lot of holiday baggage. Power The Territory has a strong Chinese connection, with it being manufactured in Nanchang by Jiangling Motors Co., more commonly known as JMC, as part of a joint venture with Ford. However, the engine is Ford's tried and tested 1.8-litre four-cylinder EcoBoost turbocharged petrol producing 138kW and 318NM. It's mated to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission with Eco, Normal, Sport, and Mountain modes driving the front wheels. The Ford Territory Dark Edition's interior gets Cyber Orange stitching on the door trims, steering wheel, instrument panel inserts and seats. Image: Supplied Driving Ford had come up with a unique way of launching the Territory Dark Edition for the local launch. Punting it as a family vehicle, they had invited the media and their 'tribe' to experience the car and spend time at Gold Reef City. In the hurly burly of everyday life and responsibilities, you forget how much fun and exhilarating the various rides provide for your inner child. Midweek, my 'tribe' was one, but there were obviously other larger families. In the last two years or so since going to university, my son has come around to appreciate cars more. As a youngster, it made no difference whether I arrived in a small entry-level runabout or a R3-million sports car. So when we climbed into the Territory, he noted that the interior looked and felt a lot nicer than some of the cars I've had on test. Important too was the fact that it has wireless charging, three USB ports up front and a USB charging port at the rear because listening to music and constantly being on WhatsApp and social media drains batteries. The seats are rather on the stiff side and could become uncomfortable after a while, but they are fully electrically adjustable. The steering wheel is rake and reach adjustable, so finding the perfect driving position is easy. As with previous Territories I've driven, the brake pedal is harsh when first applied, and it takes a while to adjust your foot pressure, especially when driving slowly in traffic. Unlike Ford products like the Rangers, Everests and Pumas, the Territory lacks some of the nuances associated with them. The throttle calibration is a way off from what we've become accustomed to from the brand, but it's still substantially better than some of the other Chinese SUVs we've driven. There's a bit of hesitation on takeoff, but once it's in second gear, it's smooth sailing. However, given the Territory's target market and its application, this is not a deal-breaker. Using the adaptive cruise control, I found it to be overly sensitive, with warning sounds and lights appearing for no apparent reason. On the highway, it effortlessly switches cogs when needed and settles down to the speed limit comfortably. I floored the accelerator once or twice, and the Territory is no slouch and will easily attract the attention of traffic police. Talking of the cops, they were nowhere to be seen on the drive back, much of it along Malibongwe Drive's gauntlet of potholes, broken traffic lights, homeless men directing peak hour traffic, taxis disregarding every road rule, pedestrians and generally a microcosm of everything that's wrong with our driving. It has a myriad of safety features that warn you of impending danger, and with every rule of the road being disregarded for close to 20 kilometres between the warning lights and chimes, it looked like an 80s disco inside. No doubt, though, as an owner over time, you'll figure out how to override most of them. On our return, consumption figures stood at 7.9l/100km, which is not bad at all considering most of our driving was done in heavy traffic. The 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen has crisp graphics and is easy to use. Image: Supplied Safety It comes with a slew of safety features, including 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. It comes with six airbags, comprising dual front and curtain airbags, Electronic Stability Control with Traction Control, Emergency Brake Assist and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution, Hill Launch Assist, Hill Descent Control and a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). The Territory Dark Edition adds a palette of good-looking style changes to the range. Positioning it strongly as a comfortable SUV for families and everyday driving is right on the money, and with the reassurance of an established dealer network, it will provide many years of happy, uncomplicated driving. It comes with a six-year/90 000km Ford Optional Service Plan, four-year/120 000km Ford warranty, four-year/unlimited distance Roadside Assistance and five-year/unlimited distance corrosion warranty. Customers have the option of purchasing Ford Protect Service or Maintenance Plan upgrades up to eight years or 165 000km. The warranty can be extended up to seven years or 200 000km, while the Roadside Assistance can be extended for an additional one or two years. Pricing July 2025 Territory Ambiente 1.8L EcoBoost 7AT: R593 500 Territory Trend 1.8L EcoBoost 7AT: R650 500 Territory Dark Edition 1.8L EcoBoost 7AT: R733 000
The Citizen
03-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Ford puts price on new Dark Edition attired Territory
Dark Edition adds a number of unique exterior and interior fixtures to the top-spec Titanium grade, plus a first-time surround-view camera system. Dark Edition, as its name indicates, adds darkened touches to the flagship Territory Titanium. Image: Ford Having amassed as solid flow of sales since its market unveiling last year, Ford has introduced the first special version of the Chinese-made Territory, the aptly named Dark Edition. Touch of black Based on the range-topping Titanium, thereby becoming the new range-topping variant of the model known in the People's Republic as the Equator Sport, the Dark Edition mainly receives exterior and interior changes with no alterations having taken place on the power front. ALSO READ: Ford Territory not perfect, but heaven-sent for the Blue Oval As such, the unique aesthetic comprises ebony black 19-inch alloy wheels, a gloss black grille, roof rails and mirror caps, black wheel arch cladding, a black finish at the base of the bumpers, black window surrounds, a black front skidplate and a black Territory name badge. Dark Edition gets gloss black 19-inch alloy wheels as standard. Image: Ford Offered in a choice of four colours, all are contrasted by a black roof, the options being Panther Black, Lustrous Grey, Ruby Red and Crystal Pearl White. Orange meets black inside Inside, the dark theme continues with the fitting of a black roofliner, imitation carbon fibre on the centre console, black perforated leather upholstered seats, black leather trim on the dashboard and doors, and Cyber Orange stitch work on the seats, doors, dashboard and steering wheel. On the specification front, the Dark Edition debuts a new 360-degree surround-view camera system not offered on any other current Territory derivative. Dual-tone blue-and-black interior has been dropped in favour of a black hue with Cyber Orange stitching. Image: Ford Carried over from the Titanium is the dual-pane panoramic sunroof, the pair of 12.3-inch displays for the infotainment system and instrument cluster – the former with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – the eight-speaker sound system, wireless smartphone charger, ambient lighting and electric front seats. Further standard amenities are: rain sense wipers; auto on/off LED headlights; keyless entry; push-button start; leather-covered steering wheel; electric tailgate; heated and folding electric mirrors; dual-zone climate control; electrochromatic rear-view mirror; front and rear parking sensors; tyre pressure monitor; six airbags; Electronic Stability Control; Hill Start Assist; Hill Descent Control; Adaptive Cruise Control; Forward Collision Warning; Lane Departure Warning; Rear Cross Traffic Alert; Automatic Emergency Braking: Lane Change Assist; Blind Spot Monitoring; Lane Keep Assist; Traffic Jam Assist Same power Up front, and as mentioned, the 1.8 EcoBoost petrol engine develops an unchanged 138kW/318Nm directed to the front wheels through a rotary dial selected seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. As with the Titanium, the Territory Dark Edition keeps the drive mode selector with four settings; Eco, Normal, Sport, and Mountain. Price Now available, the Territory Dark Edition's price tag includes a four-year/120 000 km warranty, with a service plan being a cost option. Territory 1.8 EcoBoost Ambiente DCT – R593 500 Territory 1.8 EcoBoost Trend DCT – R650 500 Territory 1.8 EcoBoost Titanium DCT – R725 500 Territory 1.8 EcoBoost Dark Edition DCT – R733 000 NOW READ: Intentions clear: All-new Ford Territory stakes its claim
