LDV T60: First drive

Name: LDV T60: First drive
Brand: LDV

Ahead of its debut at the Shanghai Motor Show, we head to China to sample LDV's new dual-cab ute, the T60

LDV is an offshoot of the giant SAIC (Shanghai Automotive International Group), which is a conglomerate of automotive brands targeting worldwide sales of 7.6 million vehicles this year.

Ateco Automotive Group is LDV’s Australian distributor and sells the G10 and V80 vans via its national dealer network. Ateco expects the T60 ute will soon become LDV's best-selling vehicle.

What's it all About

The LDV T60 will be sold in two trim levels – a tough version for the likes of tradies, couriers and fleet operators, and a higher-specification model for the recreational and family markets. Initially the T60 will be offered exclusively as a dual-cab, but the range will soon grow to include single and dual-cabs, cab/chassis and, at a later date, possibly a mega-cab (extended dual-cab) version.

Power comes from a 2.8-litre turbo-diesel from Italian company VM Motori, driving via a five-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic sourced from ZF.

Both two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive versions will be available, the latter a part-time system with a two-speed transfer case.

LDV claims outputs of 110kW at 3400rpm and torque of 360Nm between 1600-2800rpm.

In the tray we found a standard liner and solid tie-down points. Overall, the T60 looked tough and solidly built.

Physically, the T60 is a big ute. The tape measure showed an overall length of 5365mm (255mm longer than the Ford Ranger dual-cab), and a width of 1900mm (50mm more than the Ranger). Under the bonnet, the T60 provides plenty of room to get around the engine for servicing or to fit accessories such as a second battery.

For those heading off-road, the T60 4x4 offers good approach and departure angles of 27.1 degrees and 24.5 degrees respectively, but the ramp-over angle is negatively impacted by that considerable length.

We drove the up-market model with plush leather seats and abundant interior space, including adult-size dimensions for those seated in the second row.

In this model, equipment was on-par with rivals including satellite-navigation, electric windows and mirrors, a big stereo, as well as all the comforts we've come to expect from an upmarket ute.

Safety first

LDV is boldly claiming the T60 will achieve the maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating here in Australia. Ateco claims it is already working with ANCAP to ensure all boxes are ticked ahead of the barrier testing exercise.

Currently, the T60 is fitted with six airbags, an electronic stability program (ESP) with traction control, anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution, lane-departure warning, a 360-degree camera system, reversing camera and LED headlights.

All models will employ four-wheel disc brakes, rather than the front disc/rear drum arrangement traditionally found in this segment.

On the road

Our drive was limited to the vast SAIC proving ground in Guande, China, and while not a full evaluation, a series of tests highlighted some of the LDV T60's capabilities and limitations.

Standing-start performance was impressive and the VM Motori turbo-diesel quickly spun up to peak power.

On the handling test, understeer – often noticeable in utes – was evident in some tight corners. With power on through sweeping corners, the T60 didn’t spin the rear wheels or oversteer due to the intervention of the electronics which quickly (almost too quickly) cut the power to keep it on the straight and narrow.

Braking was excellent. Stopping distances were short and the ABS did a great job of keeping the vehicle straight or tracking correctly with the front wheels turned.

The T60 rides on handsome 16-inch alloy wheels with 245/70R16 Dunlop Grandtrek tyres which, with on-road tread patterns, provided good grip.

We've driven other vehicles with engines derived from this VM Motori unit so we know it can be noisy. But inside the T60 things were very quiet, even when cracking the whip.

Sure, with 110KW/360Nm, the T60 will not be the most powerful ute on the market, but our brief drive in China confirmed it should acquit itself pretty well, but probably not at the level of the Ford Ranger/Mazda BT-50 or the Volkswagen Amarok V6.

Although the T60 will launch with just the one diesel engine, we're told a petrol version is in the pipeline.

Obviously with the Australian launch still around five months away, pricing is not available. According to Mr Dinesh Chinnappa, the General Manager of LDV Australia, hopes are for levels around 20 per cent below equivalent Japanese-brand vehicles – although achieving that won't necessarily be an easy task.

"There has got to be a product/price equation… but this might be challenging due to all the technology in the vehicles especially to get to the five-star [ANCAP] rating," he said.

The T60 will come with a three-year, 100,000km warranty and will be on sale in Australia in October.

LDV T60 pricing and specifications:

Engine: 2.8-litre turbo-diesel

Power: 110kW at 3200rpm

Torque: 360Nm at 1600-2800rpm

Front suspension: Independent double-wishbone hydraulic dampers

Rear suspension: Live axle, leaf spring hydraulic dampers

Transmission: Six-speed auto with two-speed transfer case

Warranty: Three years/100,000 kilometres