Chinese commercial vehicle brand LDV has finally confirmed it will introduce a second utility vehicle to Australia, including its second crack at a fully electric dual-cab.
The arrival of the fully electric e-Terron 9 and diesel-powered Terron 9 was previously revealed by government documents, while LDV’s announcement that it would join rather than replace the slightly smaller T60 ute was also widely expected.
LDV Australia has released limited information for the Terron 9 range, though Department of Transport documents already indicate the e-Terron 9 will improve upon the heavily flawed eT60 electric ute in several key areas.
Where the eT60 offered limited outputs of 130kW/310Nm, no all-wheel drive, a low electric driving range of 330km, and a poor braked towing capacity of 1000kg, the eTerron 9 is set to be offered in both 200kW RWD and 325kW AWD forms and match the midsized-ute standard of 3.5-tonne braked towing capacity.
The eTerron 9 also has a WLTP cycle range of 430km.
The new model will replace the underwhelming eT60
The eT60 is also extraordinarily expensive at $92,990 before on-road costs, though LDV has yet to confirm pricing for the eTerron 9, or Terron 9 diesel. LDV has sold just 23 units of the eT60 so far in 2024 compared with more than 5000 registrations of the diesel T60.
Terron 9 AWD and RWD variants are powered by a turbo diesel engine with 163.5kW, feature an eight-speed auto, and will also bring 3500kg braked towing capacities.
All Terron utes wear 18-inch wheels as standard, according to vehicle-registration information, with 20-inch wheels optional.
Terron 9 models are 5500mm long, extending 105mm beyond the LDV T60, and have a longer wheelbase: 3300mm v 3175mm.
LDV Australia says the new, bigger ute is currently undergoing final validation testing locally ahead of its 2025 launch.
The brand has acknowledged the “modest sales” and spec deficiencies of the eT60, but is convinced Australia is ready for an electric ute.
“[The eTerron 9] is a completely different vehicle, inside and out [compared with the eT60],” said LDV Australia’s general manager Dinesh Chinnappa.
“Certain segments of the ute market are not only ready for an electric ute, they’ve been pleading for one. Particularly fleets and mining companies who want a factory-built, turn-key solution straight off the showroom floor, rather than a diesel vehicle that has been converted to electric power.
“[But] we are not going to leave our traditional [diesel ute] buyers behind. Rather, the LDV Terron ute series will broaden our offering across the ute segment.”
