LDV T60 2017 Review - International
The T60 ute will be offered exclusively as a dual cab, but the range will soon grow to include single and dual cabsLDV officially unveiled the T60, its first foray into the lucrative ute market, at the Shanghai Auto Show this week. Ahead of LDV’s Australian launch in October, we got behind the wheel at the company’s proving ground in China.
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 instantly 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 and 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 of power 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 the 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 to be sold in Australia will achieve the maximum five-star ANCAP safety rating. 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, Electronic Stability Program (ESP) with traction control, ABS anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution, lane-departure warning system, a 360-degree camera system, reversing camera and LED headlights.
All models will employ four-wheel disc brakes (rear drum brakes are still common in the ute market).
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, 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 but 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 Mr Chinnappa added: “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.”
The T60 will come with a three-year 100,000km warranty and will be on sale in October.
LDV T60 Specifications:
Engine: 2.8-litre turbo-diesel
Power: 110kW @3200rpm
Torque: 360Nm @ 1600-2800rpm
Suspension front: Independent double-wishbone hydraulic dampers
Suspension rear: Live axle, leaf spring hydraulic dampers
Transmission: Six-speed auto with two-speed transfer case
Warranty: Three years 100,000km
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