Although it will never come to the U.S. in this guise (or any other I am afraid), I feel that we should know all there is to know about the new Ford Territory. This very car may showcase the future of Ford crossovers. Revealed for the Chinese market only, the Ford Territory is actually a reimagination of the famous Territory sold in Australia. However, unlike the Australian car which was a full-fledged Ford product, the newest Ford Territory is actually a rebadged JMC Yusheng S330. Ford developed it with Jiangling Motors Corporation (JMC) to give Chinese customers another option in the sea of similar compact SUVs available there.

Overview

While it features striking looks and a good-looking cabin, I feel that the Ford Territory is actually a rushed project. Ford had to bring in a new vehicle and fast. The result is a rebadged Chinese SUV, partially designed in Melbourne Ford R&D center, but built in Xiao Lan, China.

“Territory is a key proof point for how we will grow in China. We brought Territory to market with speed, high quality, and cost efficiency. It will be affordable for young families and new buyers across China, not just the coastal mega-cities. And the technology will delight customers,” says Ford's Asia Pacific president, Peter Fleet.

Regardless of its roots, the Territory takes a step in the right direction compared with other SUVs based on the platform. It turns out that the Yusheng S330 is a sub-$10k SUV that gives Ford a unique opportunity to sell that cheap tech, packed in another package for a lot more money. I bet Ford will price the Territory much higher than Yusheng priced its S330. This way they will give Chinese customers a sense of luxury and western sophistication for much less money than what would be needed if Ford developed its own compact SUV from the ground up.

Powertrain and Performance

Ford did not disclose any information about what powers the Territory, but they did hint the Territory will get a 48-volt hybrid system, a plug-in hybrid system, and, I guess, a classic ICE. If that is the case, the only engine that could land in it is the 1.5-liter twin-turbocharged unit that develops 163 horsepower in the S330.

Sizewise the Territory comes somewhere in between the EcoSport and the Escape (called the Kuga on other markets), thus making it quite interesting, even for buyers here. Don’t worry though, the Territory, regardless of its macho name, won’t be coming in the U.S. While the car itself won't be coming here, some of its tech may inspire new crossovers. The 48-volt hybrid setup is my favorite as it could land in the new Ford SUVs. Considering the fact that Ford plans to slash its car offering to only two cars, having highly efficient propulsion systems for big, ungainly SUVs is a must.

Conclusion

The Territory is a scary good window into Ford future. Get this - Ford will introduce 40 electrified models by 2022, almost all of them will be SUVs, and the Territory falls in a segment that is largely left unexplored in the U.S. While I am not sure if the Territory would work here in the shape it is made for China, its interior filled with standard leather, standard Ford infotainment system, Co-Pilot360 driver safety, and FordPass Connect would definitely find some admirers. C’mon Ford, give us interior as clean as this.

Further reading

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