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LDV's mysterious Chinese ute revealed! New twin-turbo dual-cab has the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger in its sights

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LDV is readying a new competitor for the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger.
LDV is readying a new competitor for the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger.

China's attack on Australia's dual-cab market is set to kick up another gear, with yet another new ute being readied to take on the Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger. 

The new model - revealed by SAIC, the parent company of ute brand LDV - is officially branded a Maxus, and remains shrouded in mystery for now, but we do know it's coming soon, with international reports pointing to an official unveiling toward the end of this year.

It's not immediately clear whether this new pick-up concept is intended as an all-new model, but international media is pointing to the vehicle being a replacement for the existing T60 dual cab.

Read More: The year of the Chinese ute! These three cut-price dual-cabs are coming for your Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux

If so, it's presents a new look for the Chinese workhorse, with a bigger grille complete with huge "Maxus" lettering, as well as LED headlights and a revised front bumper. 

The bigger change, of course, is the side profile - and not least of which the roof bulge - which looks more lifestyle-oriented than a traditional tray-back ute

While engine specifics aren't yet confirmed, international reports point to carryover engines and transmissions, which for our market means the continuation of the new turbocharged 2.0-litre diesel good for 110kW and 360Nm, and paired with a six-speed automatic. That engine replaced the outgoing 2.8-litre diesel good for 110kW and 360Nm.

In exciting news, there's also international talk of a twin-turbo-diesel, again a 2.0-litre, only this time producing a whopping 162kW and 480Nm, and paired with an eight-speed ZF automatic. 

Read More: LDV T60 Trailrider 2020 detailed! New turbo-diesel engine and local tuning for Great Wall Cannon and Isuzu D-Max rival

Alternatively, the brand has also pointed to a plug-in hybrid and full electric future, but we'll have to wait and see just what's powering the latest Chinese ute. 

For that, you'll have to watch this space.

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.
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