Weststar Maxus had a surprise at its Hari Raya open
house today, and it’s the Maxus T60 pick-up truck, which is now in Malaysia and
open for booking. The Maxus T60 will be available
here in two variants: manual and high-spec auto. The range topper’s indicative
price is RM 99,000 on-the-road without insurance, which is rather eye-popping.
The manual’s price will be just a few thousand lower, which makes the auto
appear like the better deal.
We’re informed that the T60’s launch will be in two
to three months time, pending homologation, and the initial batch will be CBU
imports from China. Local assembly is being worked on at present, and the
Johor-assembled CKD T60 is expected to be ready in Q4 2019.
The T60 is powered by a VM Motori 2.8 litre
four-cylinder turbodiesel putting out 150 hp and 360 Nm of torque, available
from 1,600 to 2,800 rpm. The R428 DOHC oil burner with VGT is paired to
six-speed manual and automatic transmissions, the latter with manual mode.
Normal, Eco and Power driving modes are available, as is 4WD, which can be engaged
via a rotary 2H-4H-4L dial. The rest of the spec sheet doesn’t veer far from the one-tonne truck
course – front double wishbone suspension, rear leaf springs, hydraulic power
steering, and front/rear ventilated disc brakes are attached to the ladder
frame.
The T60 is decently equipped. For a start, ABS, ESP
and six airbags contribute to the five-star ANCAP rating. The integrated
10-inch colour touchscreen is hooked up to a reverse camera and 360-degree
parking camera. There are also auto LED headlights, LED daytime running lights,
keyless entry with push start, leather seats, powered driver’s seat, auto air
con, rear AC vents and a sports bar, among other things.
The manual version seen here lacks the auto’s LED
headlamps and DRLs; chrome on the grille, wing mirror caps and door handles;
leather seats and keyless entry with push start. Price-content ratio is the Maxus
T60’s selling point against established truck players. The costliest T60
undercuts the base-spec manual Mitsubishi Triton, and the Toyota Hilux, of
course.
