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LDV T60 Trailrider ute gets new diesel engine, rest of the range to follow

China’s LDV T60 has finally received an engine upgrade. For now, it’s exclusive to the top-of-the-range model but the rest of the line-up will eventually get a power boost.


The LDV T60 Trailrider ute has been given a modest power boost with an all-new turbo diesel engine that will eventually be introduced across the rest of the Chinese pick-up range.

The 2.0-litre single turbo diesel four-cylinder (120kW/375Nm) that has been designed in-house replaces the 2.8-litre turbo diesel four-cylinder (110kW/360Nm) that shared its DNA with Italy’s VM Motori.

Towing capacity remains 3000kg; most rivals have 3500kg towing capability.

While the arrival of the new single turbo 2.0-litre diesel engine is a step in the right direction for the LDV T60 ute, it still leaves the popular workhorse with a power deficit versus its dearer rivals.

It is unclear at this stage whether the twin turbo version of the all-new 2.0-litre turbo diesel engine recently fitted to the LDV D90 SUV will eventually make its way to the LDV T60 ute.

The twin turbo version – with an output of 160kW and 480Nm – would at least put the LDV T60 on a more even footing with its mainstream ute rivals.

In the meantime, LDV has used the arrival of the new single turbo 2.0-litre diesel to launch a second iteration of its flagship T60 Trailrider model.

Priced from $37,990 drive-away for a six-speed manual or $39,990 drive-away for a six-speed auto, the new LDV T60 Trailrider 2 gets some minor cosmetic revisions compared to its predecessor.

There’s a redesigned sports bar on the ute tub (which continues to come with a locally-fitted roller shutter cover and spray-on bed liner), and the Trailrider stickers have been removed from the doors, though the name still appears in bold on the tailgate.

As before, a front nudge bar, 19-inch alloy wheels, Continental road tyres, leather seats, Apple Car Play, and one of the biggest infotainment touchscreens in the ute class are standard. 

The spare wheel is a 17-inch rim and tyre rather than a matching 19-inch replacement.

The LDV T60 Trailrider 2 retains six airbags and its five-star safety rating from 2017.

Standard safety tech includes blind spot monitoring, 360-degree and rear-view camera, lane departure warning, and tyre pressure monitoring.

The LDV T60 Trailrider 2 is covered by a five year/130,000km warranty and comes with 24-hour roadside assistance.

Service intervals are 12 months/15,000km, whichever comes first. Capped price servicing is not yet available.

In a media statement, the boss of LDV Australia, Dinesh Chinnappa said: “We continue to develop our product offering throughout our fast-growing range, so we’re delighted to announce the arrival of the next-generation Trailrider.

“With the addition of the lighter and more efficient 120kW diesel engine, Trailrider 2 is a formidable ute, as comfortable on the worksite during the week as it is towing jet skis at the weekend.”

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Joshua Dowling

Joshua Dowling has been a motoring journalist for more than 20 years, spending most of that time working for The Sydney Morning Herald (as motoring editor and one of the early members of the Drive team) and News Corp Australia. He joined CarAdvice / Drive in 2018, and has been a World Car of the Year judge for more than 10 years.

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