Tougher LDV D90 Pro unveiled

A tougher and more capable version of the LDV D90 has been released in China and it could become available in Australia at some stage.

The new LDV D90 Pro injects clear safari cues including a ‘green of jungle’ paint scheme, snorkel, roof racks, bash plate and tow hooks, and a T-MAX electric winch rated to 12,000 pounds (5443kg).

Visually, the beefed-up seven-seat off-road SUV takes on a tougher presence with a redesigned grille and black wheel-arch cladding, while unique features inside the cabin include Nappa leather seat trim and a real-wood steering wheel.

As with the standard LDV D90 on sale in Australia, the Pro is powered by a 158kW/480Nm 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel four-cylinder, allowing it to tow up to 3100kg.

The same engine developed in-house by LDV now also powers the upgraded 2021 LDV T60 Max dual-cab ute (which rides on the same ladder platform), in which it produces a buxom 160kW/500Nm.

It’s hooked up to an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission and an intelligent four-wheel drive system with rear differential lock and electronic limited-slip diff as standard.

In China, the LDV D90 Pro can be further tailored to weekend pursuits via a roof luggage rack capable of supporting 200kg – enough for roof tents, luggage frames and the like.

All told, LDV says there are almost 100 different ways to configure the D90 Pro via its accessories catalogue.

It’s not yet known whether the D90 Pro or LDV’s in-house parts catalogue will become available to Aussie consumers.

However, a spokesman for the brand’s local importer, Ateco Automotive, yesterday told carsales it was monitoring all developments from the Chinese car-maker, including the similarly upgraded ‘Bull Demon King’ version of the LDV T60 ute revealed this week.

“We’re aware of future products and variants from overseas and we’ll keep a watching brief,” he said of the tougher T60.

The D90 Pro’s emergence comes amid unprecedented demand for the LDV D90 in Australia. So far this year, D90 sales have climbed past 1000 units – up around 150 per cent on the same period in 2020.