WHAT you see here is an LDV D90 4x4 wagon, complete with low-range gearing, separate chassis and a live axle at the rear. A proper 4x4 if you like, at least with those attributes.
LDV is part of SAIC Motor, one of the four large state-owned carmakers in China. In 2018 SAIC sold more than 6.9 million vehicles, so no small fry.
Aside from the D90 4x4 wagon, LDV also sells the T60 4x4 dual-cab ute, one variant of which – the TrailRider – is tweaked locally by Walkinshaw Performance. LDV also offers single-cab T60 utes in both 4x4 and 4x2, as well as delivery/service vans and a people mover.
This D90, the Executive, is the only 4x4 variant in the D90 range (the others are RWD), and while you can think of it as a budget alternative to a Prado, there is one difference: at this stage it only comes with petrol power. But that doesn’t mean we won’t see a diesel down the track, given the 2.8-litre four-cylinder diesel from the T60 ute – built under licence from VM Motori and from the same engine family as the 2.8 diesel in Holden’s Colorado and Trailblazer – should slot straight in.
POWERTRAIN AND PERFORMANCE
IN THE meantime, the petrol engine is in many ways already ahead of the game. Certainly it’s a more forward-thinking design than the last petrol engine to be seen in Prado, and perhaps more like the next-generation petrol engine yet to be seen in Prado, even if that will be a petrol-electric hybrid.
This story is from the March 2020 edition of 4x4 Magazine Australia.
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This story is from the March 2020 edition of 4x4 Magazine Australia.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
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TRAVEL BULLETIN
ALL THE LATEST 4X4 NEWS AND EVENTS. Now is the time to get out and about to enjoy this great land and support the communities. Experienced adventurer Ron Moon has listed a few upcoming highlights, as well as essential track info. As always, check with event organisers before locking in your plans.
MICK GRAHAM
OLD MORISSET MENTAL HOME, NSW CENTRAL COAST
REAR VIEW
4X4 AUSTRALIA LOOKS BACK AT THE CHANGES IN THE INDUSTRY, THE RISE IN . OUTBACK TOURING, THE EVOLUTIONARY SOPHISTICATION OF 4X4S, AND MORE
READERS RIGS
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A HOLIDAY TRIP WITH THE FORD RANGER PLATINUM RAISED A FEW EYEBROWS WHEN COMPARING IT TO OUR RANGER SPORT
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THE ULTRAGAUGE PROVIDES YOUR VEHICLE'S VITAL STATS AND WARNINGS IN A TAILORABLE PACKAGE
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AFTER A 50,000KM TRIP THROUGH WESTERN AUSTRALIA, THESE MAXXIS RAZR ATS HAVE PROVIDED RELIABLE PERFORMANCE ON AND OFF THE ROAD
PORTABLE POWER
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THE FOUR-WHEEL DRIVING MIGHT NOT MATCH THE NEARBY HIGH COUNTRY, BUT THANKS TO ITS GOLD MINING HISTORY THERE IS PLENTY TO SEE AND DO AROUND THE WIDER CASTLEMAINE AREA AND YOU MAY EVEN STRIKE IT RICH!