Don’t write it off because of its country of origin
It’s a new player in the cheap ute segment, but there’s more to the T60 than just the pricetag. It has a decent 3000kg tow rating, and it doesn’t even skimp on the GCM. Here are the five things we like most about the T60:
1. The engine
It’s a 2.8-litre diesel engine with a variable-geometry turbo hanging off it. It’s not an LDV engine, however: VM Motori designs it, and LDV builds it under licence. That’s the same engine as the Holden Colorado and Jeep Wrangler, where it makes up to 147kW and 500Nm (with an automatic gearbox). This unit only makes 110kW and 360Nm in comparison, but it’s nice to know the whole thing is relatively under-stressed.
2. No torsion bars!
That’s right, folks. No cheap, dodgy lifts for you here. Where the competitive Great Wall Steed has a dated and inferior torsion bar front suspension, LDV has gone to the effort and expense of doing a double-wishbone coilover strut set-up, just like the rest of the mainstream utes. And it benefits from it, as well. The ride is actually quite good, especially for a cheap 4WD ute.
3. The price
No getting around this one, the LDV T60 is great value for money. Costing $36,800 at its most expensive, you don’t get that ‘cheap-as-possible’ vibe
from the T60. Yes, there are cheaper options out there, but the T60 feels like good value for money at that price. There are plenty of solid inclusions, and the overall package works quite well all together.
4. Five Star safety
That’s right, the T60 scored full marks at ANCAP, getting 35.46 out of 37 possible points. It’s the first Chinese-made ute to be awarded this accolade.
5. Detroit!
The rear-end of the T60 sports an Eaton Detroit locker, which acts as a kind of unlocker in a way. The rear differential splits the drive between both wheels, automatically locking them together, even when you’re lifting wheels off-road. End result: A much more capable 4WD.
