China's fight for dual-cab dominance: LDV T60 Trailrider scores local suspension tune to rival Ranger, HiLux

The LDV T60 Trailrider has been launched with a bespoke suspension tune designed for local conditions, with the Chinese firm partnering with the Walkinshaw Automotive Group in Victoria to fine-tune the dual-cab's ride and handling.

The limited-edition Trailrider (based on the T60 Luxe) is the first Chinese ute to undergo local calibration for Australian conditions, proving just how important our swollen dual-cab market is to the brand. The suspension remains a double wishbone front, leaf spring rear set-up, but Walkinshaw (the company also responsible for re-engineering Ram products in Australia) has delivered a local calibration for the Trailrider.

“With only 650 vehicles being built this is a genuine limited addition and the new suspension calibration was developed for the T60 Trailrider and the Australian market,” says LDV Automotive Australia general manager, Dinesh Chinnappa.

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“It is the result of the Walkinshaw Automotive Group working closely with LDV in China to produce a new and unique suspension calibration that is ideally suited to Australian road conditions and driver requirements."

Suspension aside, the T60 Trailrider (which is available only as a dual-cab and with four-wheel drive) also gets 19-inch alloys, as well as a blacked-out grille, sports bar, nudge bar and side steps, and a lockable tonneau cover for the tray.

Under the bonnet lives a 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engine that's good for 110kW and 360Nm, and the Trailrider can be had with a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic gearbox. As it is based on the T60 Lux, you can expect a maximum 875kg in payload, and a braked towing capacity of 3000kg.

In manual, the T60 Trailrider will set you back $36,990 (or $38,937 drive-away), while the six-speed automatic is priced at $38,990 ($41,042).

While LDV is yet to confirm the suspension tune for its other models in the T60 range up, the brand says it will be "evaluated, based on response". Any changes to the rest of the line-up are unlikely in the foreseeable future.

How important is local suspension tuning to you? Tell us in the comments below.