It might still be relatively early in the year, but we're just about ready to award the "Ute Name of The Year" gong to the Terralord.
Yes, it sounds like a Marvel villain, but it's actually a new mid-size dual-cab from Chinese brand Zhongxing, with a design flavour clearly borrowed from the big trucks of the USA.
Available with a choice of petrol or diesel engine, the pick for the power is the 2.4-litre turbo-petrol, which produces some 155kW and 320Nm. Alternatively, you can opt for an Isuzu-sourced 2.5-litre diesel, good for 100kW and 320Nm, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. And if you're worried about reliability, the brand offers a five-year, 150,000km warranty.
There is 4WD available, of course, as well as Sport, Snow and Normal drive modes, and, one some levels, an Eaton diff lock. A huge centre screen, leather trim, heated seats, keyless entry, stop start and an auto handbrake also join the features list.
The price? That would be a very palatable RMB99,800, or a smidge over $20k in Australian dollars. The only question, then, is would you?
Andrew Chesterton
Contributing Journalist
Andrew Chesterton should probably hate cars. From his hail-damaged Camira that looked like it had spent a hard life parked at the end of Tiger Woods' personal driving range, to the Nissan Pulsar Reebok that shook like it was possessed by a particularly mean-spirited demon every time he dared push past 40km/h, his personal car history isn't exactly littered with gold.
But that seemingly endless procession of rust-savaged hate machines taught him something even more important; that cars are more than a collection of nuts, bolts and petrol. They're your ticket to freedom, a way to unlock incredible experiences, rolling invitations to incredible adventures. They have soul.
And so, somehow, the car bug still bit. And it bit hard.
When "Chesto" started his journalism career with News Ltd's Sunday and Daily Telegraph newspapers, he covered just about everything, from business to real estate, courts to crime, before settling into state political reporting at NSW Parliament House.
But the automotive world's siren song soon sounded again, and he begged anyone who would listen for the opportunity to write about cars. Eventually they listened, and his career since has seen him filing car news, reviews and features for TopGear, Wheels, Motor and, of course, CarsGuide, as well as many, many others.
More than a decade later, and the car bug is yet to relinquish its toothy grip. And if you ask Chesto, he thinks it never will.
About Author
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Comments