Ford’s ST badge has garnered a great deal of respect in recent times, and with good reason. The Fiesta ST and the Focus ST have come to represent an exciting chapter in Ford’s history, so it makes perfect sense to carry that badge to other models in the Ford range such as the Territory.
However, the Territory is an SUV so it doesn’t really make sense to give such a big vehicle too much power, unless, of course, you modify a host of other components to handle the additional vooma, and Ford has done exactly that.
The Territory ST not only comes with a healthy dose of energy in the form of 245kW of power and 480Nm of torque, but it also comes with (in addition to its standard specification) Acutrac Plus, which combines the ESP and dynamic stability control as well as side curtain airbags and a collapsible brake pedal and steering column.
You only really appreciate these additional safety aids when your right foot gets too heavy and the tyres start screeching around a corner — then you realise how important it is to give performance vehicles all the safety aids they can get as it becomes too easy to get addicted to tramping on that accelerator.
And the Territory ST does such an amazing job of accelerating that you can’t be blamed for wanting to put the pedal to the metal.
Inside and out the Territory ST looks much like any other Territory, though it has a scoop on the bonnet and dual exhaust outlets, and that signature sporty ST look, which includes a brushed aluminium speedo and rev counter. The layout and fitment of instruments is of a pleasingly high standard.
The seats are very comfortable so long distance-driving will be easy on the whole family. And one of the nicest features is the way the automatic gearbox reacts to pressure on the accelerator. If you’re not putting too much pressure on the accelerator, gear changes happen at a civilised 3Â 000rpm, but tramp down hard on it and gear changes will happen at about 6Â 500rpm and this, of course, allows you to feel the full power of the 4-litre turbocharged engine as you build up speed at a rapid rate. Coupled with the composed nature of the suspension, the Territory ST encourages the kind of enthusiastic driving reserved for most performance sedans.
Don’t forget though that this isn’t a performance sedan and you’re going to have to deal with a great deal of body-roll if you attempt to speed through the twisties.
The Territory ST, which costs R427Â 890, comes with service intervals at 15 000km as well as a three-year/100 000km warranty and three years’ roadside assistance.