Ford Trucks For Sale

The 245kW turbo six from the Falcon XR6 could well have been applied to the Territory as early as its 2004 launch.

However, concerns about the engine’s thirst meant that the hot version of the crossover had to wait until a six-speed automatic could be attached to it.

That way Ford could gear it out and mitigate its thirst a tad.

It seems to have worked, because the turbo-charged six creates its peak at just 2000rpm, which means it requires much lighter throttle openings than the ordinary Territory, and can surf along from low speed with very little drama.

Also, having six gears to shuffle through means the big Ford is so nonchalantly relaxed that even when the fuel bills grow as you exploit the car’s full performance potential, it doesn’t hurt that much.

There has to be a proviso here and that’s that the Territory Turbo will down fuel like a camel drinking if you exploit its full performance ability most of the time; and don’t expect to sip gas in slow traffic and while commuting – the big Ford will not defy physics and chemistry at the same time.

The car’s 245kW (that’s 329 horsepower if your prefer ponies to electrickery) is so deliciously seamless and undemonstrative to passers-by, that it draws little attention to itself and shovels out great wads of power and torque from idle to 5000rpm.

The six-speed automatic is a honey, or down a slot manually by using the floor-mounted lever, it would be even nicer to operate some wheelmounted paddles to execute the same changes.

With the longest travel suspension in the indigenous Australian car line-up, the Territory uses it well.

The just over two-tonne up-toseven- seater manages bumps and holes nicely, never jarring and always able to react without wavering when those obstacles are mid-bend.

On the open road, the car’s ride quality is sumptuous, but well-planted.

It doesn’t wallow over backcountry undulations and when things get twisty, popping the transmission down a slot and guiding the vehicle through a curve is as close as you’ll get to emulating a car in a large SUV.

With the Ford’s lightly turbo-charged in-line six, the linear swell of urge from 2000rpm upwards is pleasingly easy to manage and even on the loose, talcum-lubricated roads of the high country, the Territory is always easy to keep balanced, assisted by wellweighted, accurate steering with plenty of good information coming through the rim.

Driving on snow is impressive too, with that predictable throttle being a boon on slippery surfaces, where the Ford’s standard ESP can also lend a hand when understeer finally manages to take the upper hand.

There are two versions of the Territory Turbo.

There’s the Ghia Turbo with leather and all the fruit, and the XR Turbo which uses cloth trim and has nearly all the fruit.

Other differences include a standard rearview camera for the Ghia – it’s an option in the XR – curtain airbags and a six-stack CD player.

Outside, the cars can be separated by their alloy wheel designs (same size, different spokes) and some subtle badgework, but from a distance, unless the big bonnet letterbox intake is in view both turbo versions look largely like any other Territory.

Either car’s cabin is a very pleasant place to be, however, with the same terrific ergonomics as the Falcon, albeit on a deeper dash and fascia platform.

Hot Falcons and FPVs notwithstanding, there are few who wouldn’t agree that the Territory is the best thing to wear a Ford badge out of Australia.

Now there’s a turbo version of the machine, it gets even better.

US auto giant Ford Motor Co said Wednesday it had reached a settlement in a class-action lawsuit lodged by people claiming the company’s popular Explorer vehicle was prone to rollovers.

A spokeswoman for Ford refused to give details of the settlement in an emailed statement to AFP, saying more information would be revealed when the deal is presented before a judge in Sacramento on Monday.

“For the reasons that will be presented in court on Monday, we believe this settlement is fair and reasonable and is in the best interests of our customers and our shareholders,” the spokeswoman said.

Around one million people in four states — California, Connecticut, Illinois and Texas — had filed suit asserting that Explorers made between 1991 and 2001 were liable to rollover.

Ford has battled a wave of wrongful death and injury lawsuits following accidents involving older models of the Explorer, regarded as Ford’s flagship sports utility vehicle.

A federal investigation was launched in 2000 following concerns about the Bridgestone/Firestone tires fitted on the vehicle, leading to a legal feud between Ford and the tire manufacturer.

In 2005 Bridgestone Firestone agreed to pay 240 million dollars to Ford to settle liability over the recall of defective tires in 2000 and 2001 linked to numerous deaths.

Ford’s Craig Lowndes and Jamie Whincup won one of the classic Bathurst 1000 races on Sunday, overcoming massive drama to go back-to-back at Mount Panorama.

On a great day for Ford, Falcons occupied all three spots on the podium.

James Courtney and David Besnard avoided the bedlam for second, and Steven Johnson and Will Davison almost won the race before settling for third.

For all four guys in second and third, Sunday was a career-best finish on the mountain.

“It’s a great moment,” said Davison.

Holden fancies Rick Kelly and Garth Tander did not finish, nor did Holden Racing Team’s Mark Skaife and Todd Kelly.

To rub it in, Whincup moved into the championship lead, with Lowndes second, dropping Rick Kelly and Tander to third and fourth with four rounds to go.

“This one for me is much bigger. I understand what Bathurst is about. Last year I didn’t know what was going on,” said Whincup, comparing this win to 2006 where emotion was high because of the passing of legend Peter Brock.

But it could so easily have been the worst moment of Whincup’s career.

Ford Performance Racing’s Steven Richards had broken Mark Skaife’s 2005 lap record by less than a tenth of a second with a 2min 08.5580sec scorcher as he and Whincup battled valiantly for top spot, before Whincup upstaged the 35-year-old with a 2:08.4651.

But on lap 134 of 161, Whincup shocked the massive crowd by losing control entering the pits, costing Triple Eight crucial seconds.

“It was a race in the pits and I knew we had to have a quick one, but I just pushed it too hard,” said Whincup, 24.

Lowndes recovered, but then Johnson pressured to sneak in front on lap 154, before Lowndes went back in front a lap later in an immense finish to a great race.

“I was just concentrating on Steven’s lines … and he ran a little wide going into turn one and I managed to get inside of him, we made contact,” said Lowndes, who battled greasy, wet conditions in the closing stages in a highly impressive drive.

“From then on in we just had to knuckle down - every lap was a whole new experience.”

FPR were in control until Mark Winterbottom speared off at The Chase with 13 laps to go, gifting Triple Eight the lead.

Winterbottom and Richards ended the race in tenth position.

Skaife and Kelly’s day ended amongst the late drama when rain fell when they hit the wall.

It was Lowndes’ third title, having also won 11 years ago in a Holden with Greg Murphy.

For 24-year-old Winterbottom, this was his second triumph and yet another milestone in an increasingly impressive career.

Ford Motor Co., the second-biggest U.S. automaker, said it’s offering three-year, no-interest loans on all 2007 Ford, Lincoln and Mercury vehicles to start making room at dealerships for next year’s models.

The financing incentives run from today through July 9, spokeswoman Lydia Cisaruk said in an interview. On some models, customers can take cash rebates of $500 to $2,500 instead. The Dearborn, Michigan-based company also is offering an additional $2,007 rebate on 2007 pickup trucks and sport-utility vehicles.

Ford is getting an early start on lot-clearing efforts after a 12 percent drop in its U.S. sales through May, while the industrywide total fell 1.2 percent. Automakers usually begin such offers closer to August, when many of the new models begin to arrive.

“Sometimes you need that shot in the arm,” said Rebecca Lindland, an analyst at Global Insight Inc. in Lexington, Massachusetts. “You need to get some of that inventory out.”

Ford shares rose 33 cents, or 3.6 percent, to $9.61 at 12:49 p.m. in New York Stock Exchange composite trading. They have gained 28 percent this year.

The $2,007 rebate for pickups and SUVs doesn’t apply to so- called crossover wagons such as the Edge, Cisaruk said.

Ford’s sales have declined in part because of its plan to sell fewer vehicles to car-rental companies, which get discounts for buying in bulk. Ford in October stopped making the original Taurus sedan, sold almost exclusively for rentals, as it closed a plant in Atlanta. Taurus has since been revived as the new name for the Five Hundred sedan, produced at a Chicago factory.

The company also has been hurt by a 13 percent slide through May in sales of F-Series pickups, which account for about a quarter of Ford’s U.S. total.

GM Offers
General Motors Corp., the largest U.S. automaker, said on June 25 that it would offer no-interest loans of as long as three years, as well as $1,000 discounts on some 2006 and 2007 models. Those offers also run through July 9 and are tied to the July 4 U.S. holiday.

GM had a 3.2 percent U.S. sales decline in the first five months. The Detroit-based automaker reported an unexpected increase of 9.6 percent in car and light-truck sales in May.

GM also is reducing sales to rental-car customers. The automaker had a 2.1 percent increase in sales to individual buyers in the first five months of the year, spokesman John McDonald said in an e-mail. Such sales generally are more profitable than sales to rental-car companies.

Ford F-Series, America’s Truck leader for 30 consecutive years, sets the standard for strength and toughness – with more trucks on the road with over 250,000 miles than any other brand. Ford continues to raise the bar to give truck customers more of what they’re looking for. The 2008 Ford F-150 introduces new models, features and options that take “Built Ford Tough” to a new level. Here’s a look at just a few of the ways the F-150 continues to lead full-size pickups:

Bolted Ford Tough: With 1,000 pounds more payload than the nearest competitor and a class-leading 11,000-pound towing capacity, the Ford F-150’s capability leadership can be measured down to the bolts. Ford has the largest, strongest bed and key suspension bolts in the segment to hold up to the abuse of customers who move these extreme loads. While its 300-horsepower, 5.4-liter V-8 engine, fully boxed frame and robust suspension get most of the credit, the bolts hold it all together over the long haul.

Check out the video at to see how the Ford F-150 handles grueling rough roads versus the competition.

One tough customer: The Ford F-150’s fully boxed frame is the strongest in the segment, providing the foundation for improved durability, driving dynamics, ride refinement and quietness. The result is increased stiffness and stronger attachment points for the brackets that attach the body and suspension to the frame – and minimal shake and shudder on rough roads. With a driving feel that is designed to be plush yet connected to the road, F-150 has a front suspension system that readily absorbs bumps but stands strong against steering forces. The frame also contributes to the F-150’s leading payload and towing capability.

Safety in numbers: The Ford F-150 is one of the only half-ton pickups to have earned NHTSA’s five-star crash rating for both driver and front passenger thanks to a solid structure and rigorous “Built Ford Tough” testing. The structure includes strong hydroformed front frame rails that are built with computer-designed front horns to help manage crash forces. In an impact, these areas of the frame are designed to collapse in an accordion fashion, dissipating energy before it reaches the passenger compartment.

Fuel-saving innovations: The Ford F-150 features the segment’s only 4×4 system with integrated wheel ends that automatically disconnect when the truck is shifted into 4×2 and re-connect when it is shifted into four-wheel mode. The system reduces fuel consumption by up to a half gallon per mile in 4×2 driving conditions compared to more traditional systems used by competitive trucks. Combined with fuel-saving engine technologies such as the 5.4-liter 3-valve V-8’s variable cam timing, the F-150 gets comparable real-world fuel economy while still delivering class-leading capability.

Eyes in the back of your bed: The 2008 Ford F-150’s new rearview video camera parking aid system enhances visibility at the rear of the box through an innovative video feed customers can conveniently see on the rearview mirror. The Rearview Camera System is mounted in the tailgate handle bezel and is activated when the vehicle is shifted into reverse, giving the driver a clear view behind the vehicle. The video image is displayed in the self-dimming rearview mirror, a natural place for the driver to look while in reverse. This system gives truckers who tow the visibility they need to back up to their Trailer and line up precisely to hook up the hitch. The industry’s only other truck application requires drivers to look down at the navigation screen as they’re reversing.

Six-door truck? Retail and fleet truck customers can choose an innovative Mid-box feature – a customizable box between the cab and bed – that provides lockable storage for tools and other valuable items. The rugged, steel construction features double-paneled doors that are accessible from both sides of the vehicle and lock and unlock with the same key that operates the driver’s door. Latches feature double-bitted keys and lock tumblers designed to provide additional security. Dent-resistant exterior door panels wear factory Ford door handles for a well integrated look and feature commercial grade sealing delivering a weather- and dust-resistant interior compartment. The Mid-box option is available on Regular Cab and Super Cab models.

The ultimate tool box: The 2008 Ford F-150 works even harder and smarter with a factory-installed feature that offers an easy-to-use solution for secure storage of all types of cargo. The base Cargo Management System comes with two side rails and four cleats. Additional options include a pair of bins, a pair of crossbars and a header bar. Extra bins and crossbars are easily added when extra capability and flexibility is needed. In the “Built Ford Tough” spirit, Ford engineered the system to handle more load and last longer than competitive systems. For example, the easily adjustable, cast-aluminum cleats can hold more than 600 pounds. Side-mounted, blow-molded plastic tool bins can hold up to 60 pounds and feature double wall construction, providing a watertight, thermal barrier that keeps beverages cold when used as a cooler.

Power play: The supercharged, 450-horsepower 2008 Ford Harley-Davidson™ F-150 is the most powerful F-Series truck ever and races onto streets this fall to help the famed motorcycle maker and automaker kick off their 105 th anniversary celebrations. The new limited-edition truck is the third supercharged Ford Harley-Davidson™ F-150, following the best-selling 2002 and 2003 models that were among the more than 60,000 specialty trucks sold since 1999. This supercharged beast is available on both monochromatic and two-toned 4×2 models.

More choice: The Ford F-150 offers the industry’s widest variety of body configurations, including three cab choices, three box lengths, two box styles and five unique series. Ford further expands the leading lineup of more than 60 unique models and configurations with the addition of the 2008 Ford F-150 Lariat Limited and XL Super Crew. The Lariat Limited takes Ford’s “Tough Luxury” to a new level with a stunning White Sand Metallic monochromatic paint scheme and massive 22-inch wheels. The XL Super Crew offers the hottest truck model – four-door crew cabs – in a more affordable package. Why so many choices? Ford customers need different tools for different jobs. The competition only offers half as many combinations as the Ford F-150.

Paint by quality numbers: The Ford F-150’s frame is painted with a high-tech e-coat paint process that was perfected by Mazda and reduces paint waste. The unique paint job reduces the environmental impact by allowing a more uniform and consistent quality coating of paint to be applied to parts. This paint process uses electric energy to attract paint particles to a part, minimizing waste and overspray.

2008 Ford Super Duty Truck Highlights: Ford introduced a new generation of F-Series Super Duty Pickup Trucks at the 2007 NAIAS in Detroit, Michigan. The Trucks are available as either a 4×4 or 4×2 with your choice of three body styles and two bed lengths. There are three Super Duty engine choices, including a new 6.4-liter diesel. You’ll notice quite a few body changes and several new features, including a handy tailgate step, oversized power mirrors that project outwards and a bed extender that folds up for storage along the side of the bed. The new features are a result of Ford’s dialog with Truck owners.

2008 Ford Super Duty Cab Choices and Bed Length: The 2008 Ford Super Duty is available in three cab configurations: a Regular cab, a SuperCab with rear seats accessed through rear-opening doors and a more spacious Crew Cab with four full-sized, front opening doors.

Regular Cab Trucks are available with an 8-foot bed. SuperCab and Crew Cab Trucks can be fitted with either a 6.75 foot bed or the longer 8 foot bed.

2008 Super Duty Engine Choices: The three engines available on the 2008 Super Duty are a 5.4-liter Triton V-8, a 6.4-liter Triton V-10 and a 6.4-liter Power Stroke Diesel V-8. This new diesel engine replaces the 6.0-liter diesel that’s been used in the truck in recent years — an engine that many owners weren’t happy with.

Ford specs list a 6-speed manual transmission and a 5-speed TorqShift automatic transmission, but after looking at the information released by Ford, it isn’t clear which engine and transmission combinations are available.

2008 Super Duty Special Features: One thing I really like about the 2008 Super Duty is the step that drops from the tailgate for easier entry into the bed. There’s even a grab handle that helps you steady yourself while stepping up.

The stowable bed extender is another useful feature. My regular bed extender sits in the garage because it takes up too much space when not in use. The Super Duty’s extender splits in two, and each half folds against the bedside.

Large power mirrors telescope inwards and outwards and even lay flat against the Truck when you need to move through tight areas.

New Features for the F-450 Super Duty: The 2008 F-450 is available for the first time with a factory pickup bed. For 2008 Ford is also offering the F-450 as a King Ranch edition, but the F-250 King Ranch is still available. King Ranch Trucks are always outfitted with unique leather seats that have saddle-style stitching.