Chinese brand LDV has launched its first utility, the T60, in Australia with an initial four-variant diesel-engined 4×4 dual cab range priced from $28,990 drive-away for ABN holders.

As anticipated, Australian distributor Ateco Automotive has packed in loads of standard equipment, forged partnerships with local accessory outlets to enable tradespeople to tailor the vehicle for their business and is backing the one-tonne ute with a 5-year/130,000km warranty and 24/7 roadside assist (with loan car program) over this period.

The T60 also comes with a 10-year body perforation warranty.

At launch, the ute is sold in two trim levels – the tradie-targeted Pro and higher-spec Luxe – with the option of manual or automatic transmission (both six-speed, the auto adding $2,000) for the single powertrain on offer: a 2.8L four-cylinder common-rail turbo-diesel that produces 110kW of power at 3,400rpm and 360Nm of torque from 1,600-1,800rpm.

All have a 4×4 driveline with selectable four-wheel drive and high- and low-range gearing.

The chassis set-up is conventional body-on-frame with double wishbone front suspension and a solid axle leaf-sprung configuration at the rear, with the Pro version tuned for ‘all day, every day loaded and working’ requirements while the Pro settings are pitched more toward the recreational market.

In something of a rarity in this segment, disc brakes are used at both the front and rear across the range – the latter are 324mm solid discs with a single-piston calliper, while a 300mm twin-piston combination is used up front – and braking performance is backed by a variety of electronic aids including an anti-lock system with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist.

All versions have a 3,000kg maximum braked towing capacity, but the Pro has the advantage in terms of payload – 1,025kg for the manual and 995kg for the auto, while the Lux manual/auto come in at 875/815kg respectively. Kerb weight ranges from 1,950kg to 2,060kg depending on the variant, while GVM is 3,050kg (Pro) or 2,950kg (Luxe).

With the oil-burner drawing from a 75L fuel tank, the T60’s economy on the official combined cycle is listed at 8.8L/100km for manual versions, or 9.6L/100km for the autos.

Load volume is 1,188L to the top lip, with the tub measuring 1525mm long (at floor), 1510mm wide (1131mm between the wheel arches) and 530mm high (at centre line of axle). A tub liner and six tie-down points are fitted standard, and Pro versions also come with a multi-bar headboard to protect the rear window. Roof rails are standard, too, and the rear backrests fold down for an extra 705L of cargo space.

Overall, the vehicle (in Pro spec) is 5,365mm long, 2,145mm wide and 1,809mm high, resting on a 3,155mm wheelbase – dimensions that place it shoulder-to-shoulder with the big-name models in the segment. Ground clearance is 215mm and a wading depth of 500mm is also noted.

What’s arguably most striking about the T60 is the amount of standard equipment included across the range, with safety features – in addition to those already mentioned – running to six airbags (dual front, side and full-length curtain), a blind spot monitor, self-adjusting adaptive front lighting system, automatic dusk-sensing LED headlights (plus daytime running and fog lights), electronic stability and traction control, a separate vehicle dynamic control system, ‘roll movement intervention’, hill descent control, hill-start assist, rear parking sensors, a reversing camera and a tyre pressure monitoring system.

Significantly, the T60 has also earned a maximum five-star safety rating from the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) – and is the first Chinese ute to ever reach this mark.

All the Pro really misses out on in this area is an Eaton-sourced rear differential lock, while other Luxe features to justify the extra $4,000 outlay boil down to aesthetics and creature comforts – chrome exterior adornments (including sports bar), keyless entry/start, auto-folding door mirrors, climate-control air-conditioning (and rear air vents), auto-dipping rear-view mirror, electric seat adjustment and leather trim.

Other standard features across the range include 17” alloy wheels (including full-size alloy spare), side steps, rain-sensing windscreen wipers, a 10” touch screen display with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smart phone mirroring, remote central locking, power windows, air conditioning, cruise control and a multi-function steering wheel.

The accessory range includes the usual array of protective items, a tailor-made canopy (with sliding alloy load tray), various roof rack and tonneau cover options, extra power sockets and a ladder rack.

Ateco has confirmed more variants are in the pipeline, including a 4×2 driveline, petrol engine and cab chassis rear end. Other body styles such as single and king cabs now look to be further afield.