A off-road-ready version of the 2018
LDV T60 ute has been confirmed. It is expected that the flagship model will be
a production-ready version of the LDV T60 Off Road a sort-of Ranger Wildtrak
model to the Chinese brand’s brigade of utes, offering buyers a range-topping
model that has rough-and-tumble looks and extra all-terrain cred.
The concept model that debuted at the Shanghai motor
show earlier this year was an extensively modified version of the T60 dual-cab,
with a matte black grille and heavy duty bumper with winch and extra lighting.
Other add-on highlights included wheel-arch flairs, alloy wheels with off-road
tyres, tow shackles at the rear, a roof-rack with light bar, and a snorkel.
The T60 Off Road concept rode on raised adjustable
suspension, and featured strengthening beams in the tray and under the bonnet,
while heavy duty underbody protection ran from front to rear, with the extra
ride height and underbody cladding improving the approach angle at the front.
It has been confirmed for the Chinese market first and foremost, and will go on
sale there before the end of this year, with Australia set to follow in 2018.
It is currently unclear as to what sort of
real-world modifications will flow through to the production model, but it is
almost certain they won’t be quite as extreme as the concept. One thing is for
sure: we won’t be seeing a price-tag in line with the likes of the Ford Ranger
flagship model, with pricing for the dual-cab 4×4 ute range starting from just AUD 28,990 drive-away for the entry-level manual through to AUD 34,990 drive-away for
the range-topping auto (for ABN holders).
