Ambient workhorse
New engine with more power and refinement headlines LDV G10+ van
Chinese marque LDV has announced Australian pricing and specification of its new G10+ mid-sized van, a model designed to offer more features and refinement than the standard G10 it will be sold alongside.
Priced $1579 upstream of the regular G10 line-up, all diesel versions of the G10+ have been fitted with a bigger and more potent 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine derived from the T60 pick-up truck, with automatic versions also scoring a new eight-speed ZF transmission.
The same transmission has been mated to the ongoing turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol mill as well, however power and torque have remained steady at 165kw-330nm.
A six-speed manual is also available on the diesels, with all versions sending drive to the front wheels.
More than just a powertrain upgrade, the G10+ improves on the standard G10’s cabin ambience with a rotary gear selector, paddle shifters, upgraded materials and improved NVH levels.
It is still ultimately a workhorse however, boasting a 5.3 cubic metre load space accessed via either a lift door or swinging barn door on the diesels – the petrol is lift door only – with a maximum payload of 1093kg.
Sliding side doors are standard on all versions.
Within the load space are multiple tie-down points on both the floor and wheelarches for maximum load stability as well as four integrated lights to aid visibility in the dark.
Pricing starts from $34,200 drive away for the manual diesel lift door and stretches up to $36,906 drive away for the automatic diesel barn door.
LDV Automotive general manager Dinesh Chinnappa said the new G10+ demonstrated the company’s unrivalled understanding of the courier business.
“A more powerful and efficient diesel engine combined with a modern eight-speed ZF transmission makes a tough day of pick-ups and drop-off that bit easier,” he said.
LDV’S Australian arm has sold 1517 examples of the standard G10 so far this year ending June, accounting for a respectable 10.6 percent of the 2.53.5t van segment, marking a 161.6 percent improvement year-on-year.