Initial details have been released for the 2018 LDV D90 SUV, the latest Chinese made vehicle to enter the local market.
This first look of the seven-seat SUV has come shortly after the Australian launch of the LDV T60 ute. It appears the D90 will offer a feature packed car aimed at value shoppers. Fellow Chinese manufacturer Haval will need to keep a close eye on the D90, it’s likely to compete against its full-size family SUV, the H9.
Customers could also potentially cross-shop the D90 against the Toyota Prado, Fortuna and Kluger, the Isuzu MU-X and the Ford Everest.
The D90, which is due to make its debut in November this year, was first spotted back in March as it underwent some secret testing before its debut at the Shanghai International Motor Show.
General Manager of LDV Automotive Australia, Dinesh Chinnappa, commented “LDV clearly know that while the SUV sector is now the dominant vehicle type around the world, it is also highly competitive, so LDV have has drawn on the expertise, knowledge and technology of China’s largest vehicle maker, its parent SAIC, to produce the D90. This means that the LDV D90 not only has everything expected of an SUV, it also has a range of features that might not be expected, such as automatic road sign recognition.”
“The SUV sector may be hard fought, but we believe that the D90 will be a strong and competitive addition to the sector and will be another top seller for LDV in Australia,” says Mr Chinnappa.
As with other Chinese vehicles that have hit the Australian market the LDV D90 will be generously proportioned measuring in at just over five meters in length and roughly two meters wide.
Under the bonnet will be a turbocharged petrol engine producing 165kW/350Nm which is matched with a six-speed electronically controlled automatic gearbox. Both two-wheel and four-wheel-drive models will be offered, the latter will be equipped with low-range gearing, terrain selection and an electronic rear differential lock.
At launch, LDV will not have a diesel engine option. This will immediately strike the D90 off many shopping lists.
Fuel consumption for the LDV D90 comes in at 10.2 L/100km for the 2WD model, while a combined figure of 10.9 L/100km has been announced for the 4WD car.
Safety features included on the LDV D90 are numerous with systems such as blind spot warning, lane wander alert and traffic sign alerts, which automatically detects road signs such as speed limits and stop signs and shows them in the instrument display. Other features include autonomous braking, front collision warning, electronic stability control, six airbags and advanced energy absorbing technology located around the rigid passenger safety cell.
Convenience and comfort features will also be packed into the new LDV D90. In the top-spec variant, the driver will be blessed with a heated and cooled seat which also provides a massage. Adaptive cruise control is offered across the range. A 12-inch touchscreen display is included for entertainment and communication in the centre dashboard with an 8-inch multi-function instrument display solely for the driver.
Puddle lights under each door and ambient lighting are also included as is a tailgate which can be opened with the wave of a foot under the rear bumper.
“While there are three different trim and equipment levels, there is nothing that could be called a basic version of the LDV D90,” explains Mr Chinnappa. “Each version is laden with equipment and features, which means that when it comes to the features offered by the D90, they range from the excellent to the exceptional, depending on the equipment level.”
Full local specifications and pricing will be announced closer to the local launch in November.
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