Australians tune limited-edition LDV T60 Trailrider

BY JUSTIN HILLIARD | 6th May 2019

LDV Automotive Australia distributor Ateco Automotive has once again partnered with Holden Special Vehicles (HSV) parent company Walkinshaw Automotive Group on a local engineering project, this time a unique suspension tune for the limited-edition T60 Trailrider dual-cab pick-up.

Maxus, as LDV is known as overseas, collaborated with Walkinshaw – which already engineers and remanufactures Ram Trucks Australia’s models for Ateco’s American Special Vehicles (ASV) subsidiary – to produce the locally developed shock-absorber rating that is applied to the Trailrider on the T60’s production line in Wuxi, China.

When asked by GoAuto if the revised suspension set-up will be rolled out to the full-time T60 line-up, Ateco media and public relations consultant Edward Rowe said: “It will undergo period evaluation for the Australian market before any decision is made on any further applications.

“At the moment, it is strictly limited to T60 Trailrider as part of the package of equipment for this model, having been developed specifically for this limited edition to provide it with a point of difference from both the rest of the T60 range and other manufacturers’ limited-edition packages, which are purely additional accessories.”

With Ateco introducing Walkinshaw to Maxus, the door remains open for further collaboration in the future, potentially across the latter’s sibling brands, MG and Roewe, which are also owned by SAIC Motor Corporation.

Either way, the Trailrider is the first step in this new relationship, with it featuring more than just a different shock-absorber rating that improves the T60’s ride and handling on low-quality Australian roads.

Based on the T60’s Luxe full-time flagship grade and limited to 650 examples, the Trailrider commands a $4211 premium but adds several black elements, including 19-inch alloy wheels with a 12-spoke design, nudge and sports bars, side steps and a grille.

It also gains a Mountain Top roller cover and Trailrider-branded decals for its bonnet, lower doors and tailgate. Four paintwork options are available – Metal Black, Blanc White, Lava Grey and Agate Red.

The Trailrider is available either with a pair of six-speed transmissions, with the manual and automatic priced from $38,937 and $41,042 driveaway respectively, or $36,990 and $38,990 for ABN holders.

Motivation is drawn from a 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine that produces 110kW of power at 3400rpm and 360Nm of torque from 1600 to 2800rpm.

In manual form, claimed fuel consumption on the combined cycle test is 8.8 litres per 100 kilometres, with 9.6L/100km managed in automatic guise, while carbon dioxide emissions are 233 grams per kilometre and 254g/km respectively.

Maximum payload for the manual and automatic variants is 875kg and 815kg respectively, while maximum braked towing capacity for both is 3000kg.

Other standard equipment includes a part-time all-wheel-drive system, a rear differential lock, dusk-sensing headlights, rain-sensing windshield wipers, auto-folding side mirrors with heating, and roof rails.

Inside, a 10.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, climate control, keyless entry and start, six-way power-adjustable front seats, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and leather upholstery feature.

Advanced driver-assist systems extend to blind-spot monitoring, surround-view cameras, rear parking sensors, hill-descent control, tyre pressure monitoring and cruise control, plus six airbags.

The Trailrider comes with a five-year/130,000km warranty and five years of roadside assistance. It officially enters showrooms on Monday, May 20.

2019 LDV T60 Trailrider driveaway pricing