LDV

If you're shopping for an SUV, it's likely you want to know a few important things. A good number of seats, an ample amount of power, an affordable price point, reliability, safety and – possibly most importantly – how much of your life you can cram into the boot. Supermarket bags, golf clubs, the family dog, old furniture, new furniture, half of a hardware store – plenty of us will put our car's cargo space to good use throughout its lifetime.

Chinese car giant SAIC has released an image of a concept vehicle that is believed to be the next-generation LDV T60 ute. Overseas reports claim the teaser image has been released ahead of an expected unveiling later this year. The concept sketch shows a double cab chassis with much sleeker styling than the current LDV T60, and a roof-mounted storage pod.

Chinese carmaker LDV has introduced a twin-turbocharged diesel engine option for its seven-seater D90 large SUV, claiming the flagship position for the model. The new powertrain option will be offered on D90 Executive trim with a price tag of $47,990 drive-away – a $4000 premium over the D90 Executive 4WD petrol’s $43,990 drive-away asking price. The new diesel unit marks the Chinese manufacturer's first in-house-designed engine.

The Chinese LDV T60 ute is poised to better handle harsh Australian backroads after joining the growing number of imported vehicles opting for locally-tuned suspension. The LDV T60 has been updated with suspension tuning by Walkinshaw Automotive Group – using the same team of engineers who developed Holden Special Vehicles over the past 30 years, including the HSV SportsCat pick-up.

The Shanghai Automotive Industry Corportation, better known as SAIC – parent of the LDV and MG brands – has opened a new design studio in London, UK. Dubbed 'SAIC Design Advanced London', the new creative hub is the company's second European-based design centre, after MG's Birmingham facility which opened in 2011.