Platinum is the new motoring jargon for one with the lot. Not that we expect to see a Platinum Big Mac any time soon ... but you never know. Our test car for the week was a Ford Territory Platinum featuring almost all the bling plus the 2.7 litre common-rail turbo diesel best known for hauling around Jaguars and Land Rovers.

We - as long time proponents of a diesel for Territory - are happy to report 9.3 litres/100 km during our week in the Territory Platinum - with mainly suburban running around. It is easy to be clever after the event, but this is the engine - or style of diesel engine - Ford should have installed in Territory instead of the turbo-charged petrol six introduced in 2008. This, without doubt, is the best Territory ever.

BODY STYLE

By early 2011 Territory was looking its 2004 vintage and Ford released the SZ model, still easily recognisable as a Territory, but with styling cues that took the car into the present tense. It looks contemporary. In particular Ford made significant changes to the grille and front bumper that make the SUV look far more aggressive and purposeful. The Platinum is set off with 18 inch, five spoke alloys while the upper and lower grille gets chrome trim.

POWERTRAIN/PERFORMANCE

At the same time Ford introduced the 2.7 litre turbo diesel, it also enhanced the 4.0 litre in line petrol engine. For us though, the turbo diesel is simply a no brainer. Both engines are linked to a six speed ZF transmission - the AWD versions get a different ZF variant. These ZF transmissions are among the smoothest going around and add a refinement to Territory that is the equal to some of the much higher-priced SUVs from Europe.

The common rail diesel is simply sublime. It is only outside Territory you can audibly detect that its a diesel. The driving experience gives no hint at it’s an oil burner under the bonnet. This engine was developed by Ford in the UK and uses alloy cylinder heads on a DOHC design with four valves per cylinder. The Variable Geometry Turbocharger has an intercooler and fuel is delivered via a common rail diesel injection system with electronically controlled piezo injectors. These high tech injectors tend to reduce the diesel ‘rattle’ and improve NVH coming from the engine. Certainly this is one of the smoother diesels in use today.

Territory’s TDCi engines produces 140 kW of power at 4000 rpm and 440 Nm or torque from only 1900 rpm running through to 2500 rpm - a torque curve that sits right where the grunt is needed if towing. If there’s any criticism with the diesel it is a slight hesitation when taking off from a dead stop but the rolling start is not an issue. The 2.7 litres turbo diesel is a free revving engine to around 4000 rpm and cruises easily at any highway speed with excellent passing capability.

SAFETY

With a 5 Star ANCAP rating Territory gives peace of mind as a family wagon. There are five airbags including a driver’s knee airbag, and standard stability control, traction control and ABS. Roll-over mitigation system has been included in the standard Bosch stability control system. This system constantly monitors the Territory’s road behaviour and in the event of a potential roll-over uses corrective enhancement to try to bring the vehicle under control.

INTERIOR DESIGN/FUNCTIONALITY

When Ford were designing the SZ Territory it looked at the BMW X5 in particular for benchmarking. The X5 is built in the US and caters for SUV buyers in that country. If there’s an area where Territory differs from the European-styled SUVs it’s the interior. Yes, its practical, the Platinum is well appointed, but it still looks like a Ford, or to be more precise, a Falcon. The use a hard plastics takes away from any ‘prestige’ of ‘luxury’ badge Ford may wish to label the Platinum edition.

Despite this the Platinum is well appointed featuring an 8 inch colour screen with sat/nav and traffic message channel, privacy glass, dual zone climate control, auto dimming rear view mirror, turn lamps in the side mirrors, leather seat trim, seven seats, passenger seat lumbar support, 6-way power adjustable driver’s seat with 3-position memory. Those lucky enough to sit in the rear pew get an Alpine DVD entertainment system with 10.2 inch screen, two wireless headphones and remote control, which will put an end to `are we there yet.’ Add is iPod integration, USB, Bluetooth 3.5mm auxillary input and three power sockets - this is across the entire Territory range - and the Platinum covers just about all bases. There are 30 storage areas in all.

DRIVING IMPRESSIONS

For all its refinement the 2.7 litres turbo diesel is not quite as smooth or fast off the mark as the 4.0 in line six petrol engine. That’s no disgrace and was to be expected. Where the diesel shines is where it matters - fuel consumption, the Territory’s Achilles heel. In this important aspect the diesel simply thumps the hell out of the petrol engine, even with Ford engineers tinkering and tuning the petrol powerplant to extend the life of every last drop of fuel.

Like every compromise there’s a price to pay. For the benefit of the turbo diesel buyers, for example, forking out their hard-earned for the TDCi 2WD will pay a premium of $3250 more for the diesel in TS,TX or Titanium variants. How long it would take for the diesel to pay for itself depends on individual usage with influences including driving style, city or country use and towing taken into account. The diesel uses roughly 25 per cent less fuel than the petrol.

As a driver’s vehicle Territory has always been an exceptionally good performer - one that rates highly against the best Europe has to offer. To put the Territory Platinum into perspective it is worth looking at two other SUVs. Apart from the BMW badge there is not a lot to separate the Bimmer from the Ford. An X5 3.0d xDrive will set you back $92,100 plus on roads. The Ford Platinum TDCi RWD is $58,240. Okay, we hear you the Bimmer is a luxury marque and the Territory is a Ford. One of the best Fords to ever roll off an Australian production line.

2WD

Territory 4.0 litre TX/ 2.7 litre T/D auto $39,990/$43,240

Territory 4.0 litre TS/ 2.7 litre T/D auto $46,990/$50,240

Territory 4.0 litre Platinum/ 2.7 litre auto $54,990/$58,240

AWD

2.7 litre TX auto $48,240

2.7 litre TS auto $55,240

2.7 litre Platinum auto $63,240

ABS Brakes: standard

Automatic Transmission: standard

Cruise Control: standard

Dual Front Airbags: standard

Front Side Airbags: standard

Electronic Stability Program: standard

Rear Parking sensors: standard (across Territory range)

Reversing Camera: standard (apart from TX models)

USB/Auxiliary Audio inputs: standard

Bluetooth: standard

Steering wheel mounted controls: standard

ENGINE:

Capacity: 2.7 litres

Configuration: V6

Head Design: DOHC

Compression Ratio: 17.3:1

Bore/Stroke: 81.0 mm x 88.0 mm

Maximum Power: 140 kW @ 4000 rpm

Maximum Torque: 440 Nm @ 1900 rpm

Driven Wheels: RWD

Manual Transmission: N/A

Automatic Transmission: 6 speed

Final Drive Ratio: 3.46:1

Length: 4883 mm

Wheelbase: 2843 mm

Width: 1898 mm

Height: 1716 mm

Turning Circle: 11.4 metres

Kerb Mass: 2047 kg

Fuel Tank Capacity: 75 litres

Towing Ability: 1600 kg (Heavy duty tow pack 2300 kg) (kg with braked trailer)

Front Suspension: Virtual pivot control link

Rear Suspension: Control blade independent

Front Brakes: Disc

Rear Brakes: Disc

0-100 km/h Acceleration: seconds

Type: Diesel

Combined Cycle (ADR 81/01): 8.2 L/100km

Greenhouse Rating: 6/10

Air Pollution Rating: 3/10

3 years/ 100,000 km