Arriving in earnest to an increasingly cutthroat segment locally, LDV‘s T60 Max Luxe promises a powerful biturbo bakkie that can get the utilitarian jobs done and still serve as a comfortable, premium offering. Alex Shahini spent some time with the model to determine if its age would be a limiting factor.
Looking for your next new or used bakkie? Find it here with CARmag!
Jumping straight into it, the defunct British automaker of Leyland DAF Vans was scooped up by SAIC Motor and given a new lease on life back in 2009 when the economic crisis hit and the global economy was at an all-time low. Chinese companies saw an opportunity to impart their technology, expertise and low cost of manufacture to these familiar Western brands to slyly win the European and developed markets over.
Related: LDV D90 Confirmed in SA for Q4 as Plush Everest Rival
The same has happened with MG, Lotus and to some extent Volvo who are now all either fully owned or majority owned by Chinese conglomerates. Officially purchasing intellectual property rights in 2010, SAIC Motor’s Maxus subsidiary commenced production in the Far East nation in early 2011. Over a decade has passed, and models are badge-engineered between both Maxus and LDV but in the South African context, it seems that LDV will be the premium brand that will also usher in the Everest rivalling D90 SUV later on this year.
LDV T60 Max Luxe Fast Facts
- Price: R790 000
- Engine: 2.0-litre, biturbo diesel, four-cylinder
- Transmission: 8-speed automatic
- Power: 160 kW
- Torque: 500 N.m
- Fuel consumption: 9.3 L/100 km
- Emissions: n/a
What are we driving and why is it significant?
Debuting in 2016 as the original 2.8-litre Maxus model at the 2016 Guangzhou International Motor Show, the T60 arrived as the first bakkie from SAIC and the first Chinese-built bakkie with 6 airbags. Significant updates have been imparted both inside and out to ensure it remains fresh, the underpinnings are 8 years old after all. Also significant is that the T60 joins the South African market as the maiden product from LDV, with the firm demonstrating intentions to expand further into the passenger vehicle segment.
Not to be underestimated, SAIC Motor is also one of the ten largest vehicle manufacturers in the world and the largest in the Chinese market too – a massive feat considering the country reportedly produced around 30 million new vehicles in 2023. Despite only featuring double-cab ICE offerings locally, the platform also serves as a testbed for the 88.5 kWh LDV eT60 2WD all-electric bakkie, further leveraging SAIC Motor’s battery capabilities. Despite this product offering, it is unlikely to arrive in South Africa leaving the anticipated JAC T9 EV the sole bakkie in the segment for now.
What does the LDV T60 cost?
Comprised exclusively of double cabs locally, LDV is offering the T60 in several configurations and flavours catering to different needs and budgets.
- T60 Elite 2WD manual – R480 000
- T60 Elite 2WD 6AT – R520 000
- T60 Elite 4WD M/T – R520 000
- T60 Elite 4WD 6AT – R560 000
- T60 Pro 4WD 6MT – R610,000
- T60 Pro 4WD 6AT – R640 000
- T60 MAX Pro 4WD 6MT – R670 000
- T60 MAX Pro DC 4WD 8AT – R710 000
- T60 MAX LUXE 4WD 6MT – R750 000
- T60 MAX LUXE 4WD 8AT – R790 000
All models feature a factory-backed 5-year/200 00 km warranty and 100 000 km service plan over the same period of time.
What are LDV T60 Max Luxe’s rivals?
Perched atop the lineup, key to understanding the Max Luxe’s rivals is getting a better understanding of what is on offer with the bakkie. Firstly is its price, at shy of R800 000 it rubs shoulders with some familiar upper echelon bakkies on offer locally and with 750 kg unbraked and 3 000 kg braked towing capacity atop its 925 kg payload, the proposition is certainly nothing to scoff at.
Related: Audi Q3 Urban Edition – Pricing and Spec
With comprehensive lineups of each competitor, the same price bracket of under R800 000 would pit it against the 2.8GD-6 Hilux Raider auto and 48V Raider, Triton Xtreme and 4×4 Athlete, D-Max LS and LS X-Rider, Ranger 2.0 BiTurbo XLT, Amarok Life 4Motion auto and the Navara Pro-2X to name a few.
What is new on the LDV T60 Max Luxe?
As already mentioned, the model debuted some time ago, so there would expectedly be some apprehension on outdated tech and features when getting into the cabin. The exterior features a significantly revised front fascia, which the anticipated D90 SUV aligns with and the interior has also been imparted with some modernising treatment. A central infotainment screen measuring 10.25-inches can offer phone replication via two USB ports and music is played through a six-speaker system. The display is competent and the audio quality is decent enough at lower volumes. Analog speedometer and tachometer dials flank a digital driver’s display which can operate standard cruise control, a tyre-pressure monitoring system and some other pertinent information.
Following the year of its debut, the entire T60 range scored a five-star ANCAP (Australasian New Car Assessment Program) safety rating courtesy of its airbags and a plethora of safety tech. Speaking of which, each corner of the bakkie has a camera fitted which enables the driver to navigate tight spaces or tackle the path less travelled with confidence. The resolution alludes to its more advanced age, but still functions without fuss.
What is the LDV T60 Max Luxe like to drive?
Getting behind the wheel, and the thrum of the diesel delivers a driving experience similar to any of its contemporaries. On paper, the 160 kW and 500 N.m is also a fair bit more potent than its key rivals but brief low-end lag, despite its biturbo configuration, is still present. Some very slight and simple 8-speed ZF transmission tuning is also required to get it to operate confidently and without hesitation – this is an issue that is prevalent with most new automakers and their automatic transmissions at Highveld altitude. Ferrying goodies in the bed, a few hundred added kilos also presents the leaf-spring rear end as a more stable companion. Most impressively, over around 600 km of driving, with half being on the open road, the T60 managed to return a consumption of 8.2 L/100 km.
Verdict
The perception of inferior Chinese quality has been comfortably quashed in the past several years but the bakkie segment remains a highly emotive and loyalty-driven segment. When the P-Series arrived in South Africa after Covid, there was a high expectation that it would ruffle the feathers of the established trio but after almost four years on the market, that hasn’t proven to be the case despite its consistently impressive sales figures. For new entrants like LDV, the competitive warranty and service plan will still likely remain abstract numbers to buyers who prioritise durability and reliability through personal experience and brand loyalty. Thus, it is unlikely that the new LDV will steal too many buyers from the likes of Toyota, Ford and Isuzu, but instead may be a more compelling choice for those willing to venture into the relative unknown with Chinese bakkies.
Looking for your next new or used vehicle? Find it here with CARmag!
