LDV V90 gunning for Merc Sprinter

Commercial vehicle brand LDV unveiled its V90 range in Shanghai last week, and the manufacturer claims that the new van will be competitive with rivals from Europe, including the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter.

Unfortunately for Aussie businesses looking to replace their current V80 models, the V90 is not due in Australia until the second half of 2020, according to a spokesman for the local LDV importer.

The V90, when it arrives, will be powered by an all-new diesel engine that will be compliant with Euro 6 emissions legislation.

A 2.0-litre unit with two-stage (VGT+WGT) turbocharging, the new powerplant features a high-pressure (2000bar) common-rail injection system and Bosch's latest MD1 engine management ECU. Combustion efficiency is improved as a consequence, leading to a 20 per cent reduction in fuel consumption and lower nitrogen oxide emissions for Euro 6 compliance, according to the manufacturer.

The engine develops 130kW and 400Nm, the torque peaking from as low as 1500rpm. Manufacturer SAIC claims that the new engine is up to 30 per cent more powerful than its competitors and torque at low speed is as much as 15 per cent better.

Set to find its way into LDV's D90 and T60 models, the diesel mill is quieter by means of numerous different design features, chief among them being a dual balance-shaft system. At idle, the manufacturer reports, powertrain noise is as low as 47dB.

LDV will offer the V90 with three different transmission options, all six-speed units. Those options are a standard manual transmission, an automated manual and a full automatic with torque converter.

In addition to the welcome powertrain changes, the new V90 (engineering project name SV63) is built on a new modular platform that promises to be stronger and underpin both front and rear-wheel drive systems, as well as accommodating right-hand drive for markets like Australia.

The V90 will offer buyers electrically-assisted steering, adaptive cruise control and keyless entry/start. Driver-assist technology will run close to the full gamut, comprising autonomous emergency braking, stability control, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane change assist and blind spot monitoring.

LDV will launch the V90 with a host of connectivity features bundled up together under the umbrella title of Smart Spider 3.0. This system will can ease the fleet manager's burden of monitoring which vehicles are due for service. But there's also a 'Big Brother' element to it, checking the behaviour of drivers operating the vehicle. Smart Spider 3.0 will analyse driving patterns for safety and fuel economy, alerting the driver to any shortcomings.

It's not all about the stick, however. There is some carrot too, like remote starting and air conditioning operation through a mobile phone app, and remote locking/unlocking.

Initially the LDV V90 will be marketed in a range basically emulating the range structure of the V80, including wheelbases and roof heights. But the importer expects the range to expand down the track, with up to three different wheelbases, three different roof heights and four different lengths to be added as they become available in right-hand drive.

“We are a strong competitor with Sprinter,” Maxus (LDV) Vice President Lan Qingsong told Australian journalists just after the unveiling of the V90 at the Shanghai motor show.

“We want to position us as... [a comparable] product with Sprinter, but, at the same time we're going to aim at a very attractive and competitive price.”

Lan predicted that the V90, which is anticipated to sell in big volumes in Europe should score a five-star NCAP rating when it's eventually tested.

The Maxus boss also confirmed that electric-vehicle versions of the V90 would follow in due course. They'll have to, to meet Europe's demand for low-emission vehicles of all kinds, including commercial vehicles.

“Number one: Europe,” Lan told said. “This vehicle was originally designed for North Europe, left-hand [drive] Europe – and second, China.”

“So China is going to see the benefit of this [development].”