MY27 LDV T60 overhaul swaps in 2.5-litre diesel, cuts range to Pro and Luxe from October

Bigger diesel headlines the MY27 update

LDV Australia will substantially overhaul its T60 dual-cab ute from October, adopting the 2.5-litre single-turbo four-cylinder diesel from the larger Terron 9 alongside new styling, a redesigned cabin and a simplified two-model range, as reported by GoAuto. The MY27 update is the T60's third engine change and second facelift since the Chinese-built ute arrived locally in late 2017. The new engine replaces the 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel and produces 163kW at 3800rpm and 520Nm from 1500-2500rpm, increases of 3kW and 20Nm, and is paired exclusively with an eight-speed automatic and a dual-range four-wheel-drive system offering 2H, 4H and 4L modes. ¹

GoAuto notes the outputs keep the T60 among the most powerful four-cylinder diesel utes in its class, ahead of the 154kW/500Nm Ford Ranger, 150kW/500Nm Toyota HiLux and 150kW/470Nm Mitsubishi Triton. The outgoing 2.0-litre bi-turbo, at 160kW/500Nm, was already one of the segment's most potent. ¹

The engine change had been flagged well before pricing: CarExpert reported in June 2026 that the refreshed T60 — sold as the Maxus T70 in China and debuted at the Beijing motor show in April — had appeared in Australian Government certification documents listing two short-wheelbase variants and one long-wheelbase variant, all with the 2.5-litre turbo-diesel borrowed from the Terron 9. CarExpert cautioned that the certification appearance did not confirm an Australian release at that stage, with a launch possible late in 2026 or early in 2027. ³

CarExpert's June report also noted the Chinese-market T70 produces 520Nm, up 20Nm on the outgoing 2.0-litre bi-turbo, and that a plug-in hybrid powertrain confirmed at Beijing, with claimed total system outputs of 330kW and 800Nm and mechanical four-wheel drive, did not appear in the Australian certification documents. LDV Australia has previously said a plug-in hybrid ute would be a great addition to its portfolio if it suited local capability requirements, but no PHEV variant has been announced for Australia. ³

Two grades, new price points

LDV has cut the T60 line-up to Pro and Luxe grades, dropping the Max Plus Mega Tub. GoAuto reports the entry Pro is priced from $37,990 driveaway for ABN holders or $39,989 for private buyers, while the Luxe is $42,990 driveaway for ABN holders and $45,253 for private customers — all national driveaway prices. GoAuto characterises this as a sizeable repositioning against the outgoing MY25 range, which officially listed the Max Pro from $42,990 driveaway for ABN holders and $45,253 for retail buyers when launched early in 2025, though subsequent promotional pricing had pushed outgoing stock substantially lower. ¹

For comparison, CarExpert's showroom listing for the outgoing 2025 T60 showed driveaway pricing from $41,042 for the Pro to $53,674 for the Plus, based on a Sydney location, with the outgoing range offering 160kW/500Nm and 3500kg braked towing across two variants. ²

'Because the updated LDV T60 range is so well equipped, we have reduced the model complexity and are now offering two attractive price points,' LDV Australia general manager Dinesh Chinnappa told GoAuto. He added that the Pro, with its leaf-spring rear suspension, is designed to appeal to customers with an emphasis on load-carrying, while the Luxe's longer equipment list and multi-link rear suspension deliver 'a more rounded driving experience, yet still has an impressive payload capacity'. ¹

The incoming range arrives as runout activity continues on outgoing stock. Burnie LDV in Tasmania markets the current 160kW T60 Max as 'now on runout', with dealer offers on the Pro, Plus and Plus Mega Tub running to 30 September 2026 while stock lasts, excluding fleet, government and rental buyers. ⁴

Capability and running costs

Braked towing capacity remains at 3500kg — a figure carried over from the MY25 update, which lifted it from 3000kg — with gross combination mass rated at 6250kg, according to GoAuto. Payload is listed at 1040kg for the Pro and 980kg for the Luxe, the latter including its standard tow bar. Fuel consumption is rated at 8.0L/100km for the Pro and 8.2L/100km for the Luxe, with the existing 73-litre fuel tank carried over. ¹

Service intervals stretch to 12 months or 20,000km, whichever comes first, up from 12 months/15,000km on the outgoing model, GoAuto reports. All variants are backed by LDV's seven-year/200,000km warranty. ¹

Dimensions differ slightly between grades: the Pro measures 5378mm long, 1905mm wide and 1855mm high, while the wider-track Luxe stretches to 1950mm across and 1870mm high, and 5548mm long including its standard tow bar. Ground clearance is 185mm for the Pro and 220mm for the Luxe, with both sharing a 3165mm wheelbase and a claimed 550mm wading depth. GoAuto notes the existing rear bodywork is retained despite the front-end redesign, meaning tub accessories for the outgoing T60 will continue to fit the MY27. ¹

CarExpert's June 2026 report on the certification documents listed payload of 1073kg to 1093kg for the certified variants with 3500kg braked towing, figures that differ from the variant-specific payload ratings LDV has since published for the local range via GoAuto; the certification documents covered multiple configurations, so the two sets of figures are not directly comparable. ³¹

Styling, cabin and equipment

The mechanical changes come with completely new bodywork ahead of the windscreen, with the redesigned front fascia adopting cues introduced by the Terron 9, GoAuto reports. Both variants receive an extensive Black Pack covering the grille, bumpers, door handles, roof rails, side steps and mirror scalps. Four colours are offered — Blanc White, Metal Black, Concrete Grey and Vivid Red — with all but white attracting a $500 premium. ¹

Inside, the dashboard is redesigned around a new 12.8-inch central infotainment touchscreen and an 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster. The transmission selector returns from the steering column to the centre console, and in a nod to Australian convention the indicator stalk moves to the right-hand side of the column. Wireless and wired Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, digital radio, rear air vents, a heated steering wheel and front and rear USB-A and USB-C connections are standard, per GoAuto. ¹

The Pro adds 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, four-wheel disc brakes, a spray-in tub liner, damped tailgate, rear bumper steps, cloth upholstery, rear differential lock, reversing camera and rear parking sensors, with leaf-sprung rear suspension retained. The Luxe brings 18-inch wheels, wider tracks and wheelarch flares, multi-link rear suspension, front and rear differential locks, artificial-leather upholstery, electrically adjustable and heated front seats, front parking sensors, a 360-degree camera, a sports bar, a lockable tailgate and a tow bar kit with wiring harness and 50mm tow ball. Safety equipment across the range includes autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assistance, driver fatigue monitoring, tyre-pressure monitoring and six airbags. ¹

CarExpert's earlier report on the Maxus T70 described squared-off lighting, a taller grille and a more sculpted bonnet, plus a free-standing 12.8-inch touchscreen, a smaller digital instrument cluster and a flat centre console incorporating a gear shifter related to the MG U9's, with interiors available in black or orange upholstery. The Australian-market cabin specification ultimately confirmed by LDV, as detailed by GoAuto, differs in several respects. ³¹

Market context

LDV says more than 46,000 T60s have been sold in Australia since the current generation arrived in late 2017, GoAuto reports, but competition at the value end has intensified. The MY25 T60 accounted for 6302 sales in 2024, down 30.2 per cent from 9027 a year earlier, against increasingly strong competition from other Chinese-sourced utes including the GWM Cannon and JAC T9. CarExpert separately reported 4320 T60 examples reached local customers in 2025, including just 19 electric eT60s, and noted the T60 remains LDV's biggest seller, sold alongside the larger Terron 9 introduced midway through last year. ¹³

The overhaul also mirrors the model's wider international refresh. In South Africa, where the T60 is sold as a bakkie, The Citizen reported in September 2026 that a revised T60 Max Plus flagship debuted at the Kyalami Festival of Motoring with restyled styling and a new 12.3-inch infotainment display — but retained the 160kW/500Nm 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel and a 3000kg tow rating, at a price of R699,900. TimesLIVE separately reported the new T60 Utility Single Cab there uses a 120kW/410Nm 2.0-litre turbodiesel from R299,900. Neither South African derivative reflects the Australian MY27 specification. ⁶⁵