Regarding right-hand drive markets, LDV has enjoyed significant popularity in Australia for its workhorse bakkies (Utes, as the Aussies say it). The next logical footprint would be South Africa, and since May 2024, the T60 range has been available in South Africa. We even sampled the T60 Luxe when it first landed.
Related: LDV T60 Max Luxe (2024) Review
The T60 line-up ranges from your standard 4x2 workhorse bakkie to more luxurious and strikingly styled 4x4 lifestyle variants. However, let's first delve into who LDV is with a quick synopsis.
Who is LDV?
LDV started life as a British Van Manufacturer back in 1993. The acronym LDV stands for Leyland DAF Vans, which were part of the Rover Group and Leyland DAF. Thanks to the 2008 financial crisis and other factors like a lack of long-term investment and commitment from its stakeholders, LDV production was suspended in 2008. Since then, LDV has been dormant after some failed restart attempts. PricewaterhouseCoopers sold the intellectual property rights to Eco Concept, a Chinese firm, in 2009, which sold them to the current owners. SAIC Motor in 2010 and the brand Maxus sprouted, commencing vehicle production in China in 2011. However, the LDV branding is used in both Australia and South Africa.
The Available T60 Range
T60 Elite - from R480 000
This is the workhorse of the range and the most affordable of the lot. It has a 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine making 120kW / 375Nm, and that power can be sent to all four wheels or the rear wheels via a 6-speed manual or 6-speed auto. Luxuries include a 7.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, power windows, and more.
T60 Pro - from R610 000
Next up is the Pro, which is only available in 4x4 and includes a few upgrades. The bumpers are now body-coloured, there are bigger 18-inch wheels and some exterior chrome and dark accents, and to top it all off, a chrome sports bar, side steps and roof rails as standard. Additionally, you have some ADAS systems like lane departure warnings and driver fatigue, to name a few. Inside, there's artificial leather upholstery, a larger infotainment screen at 10.25 inches. The turbo diesel engine remains the same from the Elite model but includes a mechanical rear locking differential.
T60 Max - from R670 000
The top-of-the-range models are the Max and Luxe models. The styling inside and out is quite different from the aforementioned models and is rather striking, with a redesigned front and rear fascia. The engine is also upgraded, featuring a 2.0-litre BiTurbo diesel engine producing 160kW / 500Nm, with that power sent to all four wheels via a 6-speed manual or 8-speed ZF Auto Transmission.
What's on the horizon?
During our trip, we were informed that a few models were officially coming to South Africa soon.
D90 SUV
Like the Hilux-Fortuner setup, the D90 SUV does the same with the T60. Key features include a 7-seater SUV kitted with a 3-way differential lock. This is poised to compete with the Toyota Fortuner and Ford Everest. We can expect diesel powertrains here, along the T60 range, as in Australia, they come with diesel powertrains.
G10+ Panel Van
The G10+ is your commercial offering if you need a minivan. You can expect a diesel powerplant with power sent to the rear wheels. There's also a potential offering for a people mover spec version.
Deliver 9
This will serve as the larger commercial van offering with diesel power, set to compete with the Ford Transit.
Terron9
This is the bigger bakkie offering set to follow the Ford Ranger Raptor. We can expect the Terron9 to have a 2.5-litre turbodiesel powerplant making 164 kW, which will be sent to either the rear wheels only or all four wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission. An electric option also produces 325 kW / 700 Nm and has a 560km range.
Mifa
The Mifa is a luxury people mover with up to 8 seats. Overseas, it typically comes powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine making 160 kW / 360 Nm, which is sent to the front wheels via an 8-speed Aisin automatic transmission.
D60
The D60 is a mid-size crossover SUV unveiled at the 2019 Shanghai Auto Show. It can be a 5-, 6-, or 7-seater, and its powertrain can be a 1.3-litre or 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol mill.
We'll bring you more information as it becomes available.
