Ford readies diesel as turbo dies of thirst

[holland_ford]

Ford readies diesel as turbo dies of thirst Territory Turbo Ghia model has been axed as a result of the stricter vehicle emissions regulations.

FORD has quietly killed off the turbocharged version of its Australian-made Territory soft-roader.

The local car maker confirmed to Drive that the Territory Turbo Ghia model (pictured) has been axed as a result of the stricter vehicle emissions regulations that came into effect on July 1.

The Turbo variant joined the Territory range in 2006, two years after the model first launched, surprising an industry that was expecting a more fuel-efficient, diesel version.

Ford Australia updated the turbocharged version of its locally built 4.0-litre in-line six-cylinder for the 2008 FG Falcon to ensure it complied with the new Euro IV emissions laws, though admits sales didn't justify modifying the engine for the Territory.

"We did the engineering work for the Falcon sedan [XR6 Turbo], obviously, to meet Euro IV, but we didn't see enough of a market to do the work for the Territory version," says company spokeswoman Sinead McAlary.

"It was always a niche vehicle and [sales] in the last couple of years had declined. So it was even more niche as people became more concerned about the cost of fuel."

The Turbo's fuel consumption figure of 14.2 litres per 100km was even higher than the company's V8-powered XR8 sedan.

Ford Australia is belatedly developing a diesel engine that will be installed in the Territory next year as a more economical alternative to the sole-surviving normally aspirated six-cylinder.

The car maker will be hoping an oil-burning version will help the mid-sized soft-roader return to its sales heyday of 2004 and 2005.

A diesel Territory is believed to have been on Ford Australia's drawing board soon after the vehicle's 2004 launch, but it was ditched in favour of developing the turbo model.

It's a decision that has cost Ford sales as sales of home-grown six-cylinder vehicles have dwindled as buyers flocked towards smaller, more fuel efficient cars.

Holden's imported Captiva has regularly outsold its Ford rival, mostly as a result of a diesel option. About half of Captivas sold are diesel-powered.

Diesel variants of the segment-leading Toyota LandCruiser Prado make up about 80 per cent of sales