T60 to keep LDV Australia in the green

CHINESE commercial vehicle specialist LDV will launch its T60 pick-up into Australian showrooms next week from $30,516 driveaway, with the new ute expected to continue the brand’s upward sales trajectory into 2018.

For the first eight months of the year, LDV has sold 1487 new vehicles – a 41.8 per cent lift over the 1049 recorded over the same period last year – comprised solely of is van range including the G10 and V80.

The T60 will launch into the booming 4x4 pick-up market that is up 10.2 per cent to the end of August this year and is expected to grow LDV sales by another 40 per cent next year, adding an additional 75 units a month, or 900 units by year’s end.

If LDV can hit its sales targets, the T60 is expected to easily outsell its Chinese compatriots including the Foton Tunland and Great Wall Steed, which are averaging 40 and 17 sales per month this year respectively.

However, the T60 is not expected to trouble the 4x4 pick-up market-leading Toyota HiLux which has found 23,132 homes so far this year, or other established offerings including the Ford Ranger (24,257), Holden Colorado (12,232), Mitsubishi Triton (13,295), Nissan Navara (8978) and Volkswagen Amarok (5647).

Available in double-cab body style with four-wheel drive standard, the T60 will come in two flavours – work-focussed Pro and lifestyle-orientated Luxe – in either six-speed manual or automatic guise.

All versions are powered by a Euro 5-compliant 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engine producing peak power of 110kW at 3400rpm and maximum torque of 360Nm from 1600-2800rpm.

With two driving modes, Eco for frugality and Pwr for performance, the T60 sips 8.8 litres per 100km with a manual gearbox, while a self-shifting unit is thirstier at 9.6L/100km.

Kicking off the range at $30,516 driveaway is the manual T60 Pro, with an automatic transmission upping the price to $32,621. The Luxe variant begins at $34,726 for the manual and jumps to $36,831 for the automatic.

However, all versions are discounted by up to $1841 when purchased by Australian Business Number (ABN) holders.

Distinguishing the two model grades, the Luxe sports a chrome-polished sports bar while the Pro features a multi-bar headboard to protect the rear window, as well as bespoke suspension tuning for each variant depending on intended use.

According to LDV, “the Pro is more likely to spend its life laden with tools and equipment, while Luxe, more often than not will be running lightly laden”, with the changes in suspension resulting in a maximum payload of 1025kg in the manual Pro and 995kg in the automatic, while the Luxe sports 875kg and 815kg for manual and automatic variants respectively.

However, both the Pro and Luxe use independent double wishbones at the front with leaf springs at the rear, coupled with variant-specific tuned springs and shock absorber ratings.

Standard equipment includes a 10.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, roof rails, power windows, air-conditioning, side steps, 17-inch alloy wheels, a full-sized spare, heated side mirrors, six-way electronically adjustable driver’s seat, six-speaker audio system and automatic height adjusting headlights.

Luxe versions also gain an Eaton rear differential locker, which can transfer up to 50 per cent of power from one wheel to other at speeds below 30km/h, as well as keyless entry and start, power-folding chrome side mirrors, chrome door handles, auto-dimming rearview mirror, leather steering wheel and six-way electronically adjustable heated front seats.

Built in Wuxi, China, the T60 measures 5365mm long, 2145mm wide with the side mirrors extended and up to 1844mm tall, making it larger than its Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux rivals.

The tub can hold 1188 litres, while the rear seats can be folded for an additional 705 litres of space. The second-row pews also feature a top tether and Isofix points for child seats.

The ground clearance of 215mm gives the T60 a wading depth of 500mm and the new pick-up features a front and rear departure angle of 27 and 24.2 degrees respectively.

According to LDV, the T60 features a chassis that is “right-hand-drive specific to maximise safety and protection in the event of an accident” which allows the brand to “optimise safety with positioning items such as the steering column to maximise impact absorption”.

All T60 variants come standard with blind-spot monitoring, six airbags, tyre pressure warning, hill descent control, electronic stability program, reversing camera and rear parking sensors.

Both versions feature a three tonne tow rating, as well as a five year/130,000km warranty with a 10 year body perforation rust warranty.

LDV Automotive Australia general manager Dinesh Chinnappa said the T60 is expected to become the brand’s best-selling model.

“With the LDV T60 we are moving into the fastest growing sector in the market and one that covers the whole country, as a well as a sector that now routinely provides the number one best-selling vehicle in Australia,” he said.

“If we are able to match that market share with the ute sector, LDV’s van sales will be dwarfed by the T60 and LDV will be on the right road across Australia.”2017 LDV T60 driveaway pricing

Pro	$30,516
Pro (a)	$32,621
Luxe	$34,726
Luxe (a)	$36,831