LDV joins the 500Nm club with its T60 Max offering plenty of low-down twist for the price tag.
LDV’s new 160kW T60 Max has arrived, adding to the range of models already on offer by the Chinese company (a part of China’s biggest carmaker SAIC) since its launch in Australia in 2014.
At the heart of the new T60 Max is a 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder bi-turbo diesel engine delivering a muscular 160kW at 4000rpm but its that torque number of 500Nm (delivered from 1500rpm) that is the real selling point of the T60.
Based on the D20 unit, SAIC’s first in-house designed bi-turbo diesel engine, its small-block design and electronically controlled, high-pressure common rail technology from Bosch make it one of the most powerful diesel engines in its class.
“The Aussie ute market is mega competitive and no longer just about being a work vehicle.” says LDV GM, Dinesh Chinnappa.
“Now they double up as a lifestyle choice, allowing owners to enjoy the great outdoors with their family and friends, and still have room for their camping gear, motorbikes, the ability to tow a trailer and so on. In this environment, power has become the critical battleground and the T60 Max mixes it with the best of them.”
“Over the past decade the 4×4 ute segment has grown substantially, it now represents around 18% of total vehicle sales, so it’s critical to have a truly competitive offering in this segment.
“The new T60 Max builds on an already strong platform to deliver high-end power and performance, peace-of-mind ownership, and represents outstanding value for money. It’s the perfect offering for hardworking Australians.”
Read about the newly launched LDV G10+ van, here
Mated to a six-speed manual or 8-speed automatic transmission from ZF, LDV says the T60 Max delivers real-world performance just when you need it – like accelerating on to freeways, or overtaking swiftly and safely thanks to its impressive in-gear performance.
The automatic 8-speed ZF gearbox quickly maps and learns driving characteristics ensuring the T60 Max is in the correct gear for the circumstances to deliver that 160kW and 500Nm. Fuel consumption on the combined cycle is a claimed 9.2L/100km for the manual and 9.3L/100km for the automatic.
As with previous LDVs, both suspension tunes – heavy duty for the Pro and comfort for the Luxe – have been specifically calibrated for Australian conditions.
The T60 Max also comes with an intelligent real-time torque on demand system from BorgWarner which LDV says takes the guesswork out of road conditions by delivering maximum traction automatically.
The driver can also manually select high-speed 2WD, high-speed 4WD and low-speed 4WD for tough off-road conditions. This, along with the impressive approach and departure angles, minimal overhangs and useful ground clearance make the T60 Max an ideal companion for weekend warriors seeking to get off the beaten track.
This next generation T60 Max features a suite of passive and active safety measures including six airbags (driver and front passenger, side airbags, and full-length curtain bags), electronic brake assist (EBA) and electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD) for braking confidence, and hill descent control for even greater stability on steep slopes.
LED daytime running lights, rear parking sensors and camera and fatigue reminder are all standard, while the T60 Max Luxe adds 360-degree panoramic camera, lane departure warning, and an on-demand rear differential lock for serious mud-plugging.
Open the tailgate and a spray-in tub liner keeps the bed protected from wear and tear, while four tie-down points help to secure the trickiest of loads.
Payload for the Pro is 935kg (750kg for the Luxe) while both variants are rated up to 3.0 tonnes max braked towing.
The new T60 Max range starts with the Pro Manual at $33,990, followed by the Pro Automatic $35,990, Luxe Manual $38,490 and Luxe Automatic at $40,490. All costs are driveaway for ABN holders.
All LDV T60s come with a 5-years / 130,000km (whichever occurs first) warranty and 5-years / 130,000 Roadside Assist.