Upgraded LDV T60 ute to pack 160kW twin-turbo diesel

LDV’s Australian distributor has confirmed a facelifted, higher-tech and more powerful version of the LDV T60 dual-cab ute is coming later this year.

Officially slated for arrival in the fourth quarter of 2021, the upgraded Chinese ute could reach showrooms as early as October – pending production and shipping delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

When it does lob, the 2022 LDV T60 line-up is set to adopt a tougher look headlined by a bold new grille and front bumper, a sailplane-style tray section and a more brutish overall façade.

Although it won’t be as extreme as the concept revealed in China last July, the new-look LDV T60 is already on sale in New Zealand, where it’s now available with the more powerful new 160kW/480Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder twin-turbo diesel engine from the its sister SUV model, the LDV D90, matched with either six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmissions.

Across the ditch, the ‘All-New T60 Bi-Turbo’ is billed as “New Zealand’s most powerful four-cylinder diesel double-cab ute” and carsales understands the same will apply in Australia.

A spokesman for Ateco, the Australian distributor for LDV, declined to comment on details of the local T60 facelift, other than confirming will arrive in the final quarter of 2021.

However, we understand the new biturbo diesel will replace the 110kW/360Nm 2.8-litre diesel in the current LDV T60, placing it second behind only the diesel V6-powered Volkswagen Amarok in the power stakes and right behind the 500Nm torque outputs of the top-selling Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger.

If the New Zealand developments are any guide, LDV Australia will continue to offer a detuned single-turbo 119kW/375Nm version of the newer 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel in entry versions of the T60.

Pricing is yet to be confirmed for the upgraded T60 range, but the local LDV spokesman said it would remain close to the current T60’s starting figure of $30,990 drive-away for ABN holders.

Long-wheelbase Mega Tub and Trailrider versions are expected to continue, the latter potentially with new black wheel-arch flares, a 'sailplane' sports bar, 19-inch wheels and a black grille, if the NZ version is any guide.

What remains to be seen is whether the new powertrains will bring a corresponding increase in towing ability. The current LDV T60 offers a 3000kg braked capacity.

The jury is also out on whether the 2022 LDV T60 will adopt a high-tech dual-screen display like its Chinese equivalent and the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class, or whether it will align with the New Zealand version and bring only a revised dashboard, touch-screen, steering wheel and gear shifter.

The Chinese-market Maxus T90 ute features a 12-inch central touch-screen and 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster within an all-new dashboard design, plus an upgraded safety suite comprising autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping and auto high-beam.

But none of that technology is seen in the NZ-market T60, which like Australia’s current T60 comes with only basic safety gear like stability control, anti-lock brakes, lane departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, attention assist, six airbags and a five-star ANCAP rating from 2017.

An EV version of the T60 has also been mooted for Oz after the Chinese version materialised with all-electric power at the Guangzhou Auto Show in November last year.

LDV has sold almost 4000 T60s utes in Australia to July this year, putting it on par with the newer Chinese-made GWM Ute and right behind the Volkswagen Amarok, which is outsold almost six to one by the dominant HiLux and Ranger.

Watch this space for details.