Ford Territory Officially Launched in the Middle East
Introduction
Ford Middle East has officially unveiled the all-new Ford Territory for the first time in the region, debuting in the heart of Saudi Arabia. This compact SUV blends stunning contemporary design with a spacious interior, confident driving dynamics, smart safety technologies, and an exceptional driving experience tailored for young drivers and small families.
Executive Insights
Ravi Ravichandran, Managing Director of Ford Middle East, commented, "The all-new Ford Territory’s design attracts young customers and tech lovers alike. Its modern styling and advanced features deliver a contemporary, standout experience for our clients."
He added, "We subjected the all-new Ford Territory to a comprehensive evaluation over 18 months before officially launching it in the region. Our Middle Eastern customers have high expectations and unique preferences regarding product quality and customer experience, and we are confident that the new Territory will exceed them."
Design Tailored for the Middle East
Before the Ford Territory’s arrival in the Middle East, three prototype vehicles underwent rigorous testing across diverse terrains over 18 months, including two summer cycles (June to August). These tests ensured the SUV could withstand extreme daily temperatures ranging from 43°C to 49°C and maintain durability under intense sunlight.
The primary goal of this evaluation was to ensure that the new Ford Territory would perform flawlessly in hot weather conditions during production and that its comfort and design would suit the region. Enhancements were made to exceed local customer expectations, such as rapid and seamless cabin cooling during summer, an improved transmission for maintaining top speed on long drives, and an updated infotainment system tailored to local needs.
"Progressive Energy in Strength" Design Philosophy
The Ford Territory was envisioned under Ford’s new "Progressive Energy in Strength" design philosophy, which draws from the brand’s rich heritage and signature styling. This philosophy centers around three core design principles: strong presence, agility, and responsiveness.
Maurizio Tocco, Chief Designer of the Ford Territory, explained, "We focused on these principles because they matter to our customers—delivering powerful road presence, a sense of spaciousness inside, and smart technologies as an integral part of the design."
Exterior Highlights
The Territory’s design embodies Ford’s distinctive spirit, with signature touches along the front fascia, a bold integrated grille, and full LED headlights that reinforce the SUV’s strength and modernity. The uniquely designed LED daytime running lights enhance the vehicle’s distinctive look, and adaptive headlights expand the field of illumination, creating a more assertive presence. The robust grille bar is crafted from premium materials, reflecting Ford’s global design language.
A sweeping upper side line from front to rear accentuates the progressive energy and contemporary style of the all-new Ford Territory. Three-dimensional suspended design elements in the body and rear highlight the SUV’s agility and dynamism. Innovative rear lighting technology further emphasizes the advanced, modern aesthetic of Ford’s latest models.
Interior Craftsmanship Meets Advanced Technology
The all-new Territory’s interior offers remarkable spaciousness for a comfortable, advanced experience that meets a broad range of needs—whether for work, leisure, or family trips. The horizontal design running the length of the cabin creates a unified, open space.
The cabin features bold, harmonious color schemes, blending blue with dark wood or white with contrasting shades for a unique aesthetic. Comfort and functionality are elevated with luxurious leather seats, including a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat.
The Titanium trim comes equipped with dual-zone climate control, while all Middle East Territory models feature a standard PM2.5 air filtration system to protect passengers from dust and allergens, ensuring high-quality air inside the cabin.
Rear seats in the Titanium trim are ventilated and upholstered in premium leather, designed for maximum comfort while maintaining the sporty, upscale feel of the SUV. The nearly flat center platform enhances the sense of space and ease of movement for all passengers.
Ford has also prioritized cargo capacity, equipping the Territory with over 20 spacious storage compartments and a 448-liter rear trunk, offering flexible storage throughout the vehicle.
Performance and Efficiency
Ian Jones, Product Development Director at Ford’s Global Markets Group, stated, "The all-new Ford Territory is a global product, developed using our expertise in compact SUVs and the latest technology to deliver maximum comfort and confidence behind the wheel. The Territory is highly competitive and offers great value for money."
The all-new Ford Territory is powered by a 1.8-liter EcoBoost engine across all trims, delivering a peak torque of 320 Nm between 1,500 and 3,500 rpm with regular fuel, and an impressive 190 horsepower. The SUV is paired with an advanced dual-clutch unit and a 7-speed automatic transmission engineered by Magna, Ford’s long-standing strategic partner in Germany. This results in smooth, responsive gear shifts and exceptional fuel efficiency compared to other SUVs in its class. Low rolling resistance tires further improve fuel economy.
The Territory utilizes ultra-high-strength boron steel, which can be formed into thinner components than conventional steel, making the SUV lighter while maintaining strength and rigidity for enhanced safety and fuel savings. The 190 mm ride height provides excellent driver visibility and confidence in complex road situations.
All Middle East models offer four drive modes—Eco, Normal, Sport, and Mountain—enabling customers to adapt their driving experience for city streets or long highway journeys.
Advanced Technology for Safety and Comfort
The all-new Ford Territory is packed with driver-assist technologies for maximum safety and an enhanced driving experience. Middle East customers can easily control these advanced features through an Arabic-language interface. The SUV inspires confidence with a suite of safety features available through the Ford Co-Pilot system:
- Blind Spot Information System and Cross-Traffic Alert: Enhanced blind spot monitoring acts like extra eyes when changing lanes or merging onto highways. If a fast-approaching vehicle enters the Territory’s blind spot, a small light in the side mirror warns the driver, preventing unintentional lane changes.
- Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go (Titanium trim): Allows drivers to set and maintain a safe following distance, or even bring the vehicle to a complete stop if necessary.
- Collision Avoidance and Automatic Emergency Braking: Utilizes wide-angle cameras and radar sensors on the windshield to scan ahead for potential collision risks with vehicles, pedestrians, or cyclists. If a collision is imminent, the system issues audible and visual alerts. If the driver does not react in time, automatic emergency braking is activated.
Additional safety features include lane departure warning, lane keeping assist, tire pressure monitoring, proactive anti-theft protection, and comprehensive occupant safety systems.
For added convenience, the new Ford Territory features a streamlined central area with a large 12-inch touchscreen. Ambient and Trend trims offer a 7-inch digital speedometer display, while the Titanium trim boasts a 12-inch digital instrument cluster, making it easy for the driver to control all functions while keeping focus on the road.
The minimalist design and reduced button count of the central control unit are highly appreciated by drivers for practicality. The innovative rotary electronic gear selector adds a modern touch, catering to contemporary tastes.
The Territory comes equipped with a range of premium features to enhance every journey, including wireless charging, USB Type-C and Type-A ports, wireless smartphone connectivity via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a high-quality audio system with six speakers (Ambient and Trend trims) or eight speakers (Titanium trim), steering wheel audio controls, keyless entry with a "Power Push Start" button, and a hands-free power tailgate.
Customer Experience and Options
Ford Middle East offers the Territory in Ambient, Trend, and Titanium trims, each with a set of features designed to help customers enjoy life to the fullest.
The all-new SUV is available in seven exterior colors, including Black, Metallic Blue, Metallic White, Ruby Red Metallic, Brown Metallic, Silver Metallic, and Crystal Pearl White. Interior color options include dark shades for the Ambient and Trend trims, light gray for Trend and Titanium, and exclusive Peacock Blue for Titanium. Ambient and Trend feature vinyl fabric seats, while Titanium comes with leather upholstery.
Ravichandran concluded, "Our refreshed vehicle lineup, which began with the all-new Taurus, Bronco Raptor, Expedition, and Ranger Raptor, will continue to expand with more models in the coming months. The all-new Ford Territory completes this lineup as the entry ticket to the world of Ford SUVs, aligning with our 'Ford+' strategy for growth, value, and competitiveness."
Development and Availability
The Ford Territory was developed in partnership with Jiangling Motors and stands out with robust presence and exceptional craftsmanship. Its flexible, spacious interior is enhanced by the latest technologies that customers eagerly anticipate.
Designed by Ford’s Melbourne design studio in Australia, the all-new Territory has been tested and developed across multiple global markets. It is now available at most Ford showrooms throughout the Middle East.
