LDV FITS ALL NEW TURBO DIESEL ENGINE
NEW POWER SOURCE FOR BUDGET-BEATING T60 UTE AND D90 WAGON.
LDV has bolted a smaller, more powerful 2.0-litre fourcylinder engine – designated D20 and designed in-house by Chinese-owned company SAIC – to both its T60 ute and D90 wagon. The D90 seven-seater runs a bi-turbo arrangement which sends 160kw and 480Nm through an all-new eightspeed ZF gearbox. Compared to its diesel contempories – MU-X (130kw/430nm), Fortuner (130kw/450nm) and Everest (143kw/470nm and 157kw/500nm) – the D90 is now one of the most powerful in its class ... not bad for a sub-$50k price tag.
Unlike the D90’s bi-turbo arrangement, the T60 Trailrider 2 features a single-scroll turbocharger. This means the Trailrider 2 puts 120kw and 375Nm through either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission – up from the first-gen 2.8-litre’s 110kw and 360Nm.
“We’re delighted to broaden our offering in the large SUV segment with the arrival of a diesel alternative,” says LDV Automotive general manager, Dinesh Chinnappa.
“At over 120,000 units per annum, the Large SUV segment is significant and dominated by diesels. Now, with a powerful new bi-turbo diesel offering, our seven-seat D90 family SUV offers even greater versatility for our target market.”
Regarding the T60 Trailrider 2, Chinnappa added: “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 jetskis at the weekend.”
The D90 diesel option is only available with the Executive nomenclature – the D90’s flagship offering – and it runs standard kit including Borgwarner transfer case and LDV’S Terrain Selection system. It has a selection of active safety features to complement its five-star ANCAP rating, as well as a 3000kg towing capacity and plenty of storage space (1800lt with the rear seats folded down).
Off-road specs for the Trailrider 2 include a 27-degree approach angle, 24.2-degree departure angle, 215mm of ground clearance, 21.3-degree rampover angle, a wading depth of 550mm, payloads of 895kg (manual) and 865kg (auto), and a towing capacity of 3000kg.
Despite its sub-$40k price tag, the Trailrider is equipped with a bunch of advanced safety tech (sans AEB) including a 360-degree rear view camera, lane departure warning and tyre pressure monitoring – to give the budget-friendly offering a five-star ANCAP safety rating.