LDV Australia showrooms are set to get a tougher-looking version of the strong-selling D90 SUV.
It’s expected to arrive locally in 2024.
Government approval documents for LDV’s Mitsubishi Pajero Sport rival show the current-style model with both petrol and diesel engines and five-, six- and seven-seat configurations – albeit no price-leader 4×2 model – and four new-look variants.
These are referred to in the documents as the Standard, with either six or seven seats, and the High GVM, also with either six or seven seats.
All feature a bi-turbo diesel 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with 160kW of power, mated with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
While a torque figure isn’t listed, the current Australian-market model produces 160kW and 480Nm.
Ground clearance rises from 200mm to 220mm, while the updated D90 models measure 5046mm long, 2016mm wide and 1870mm tall. That makes them 41mm longer, 84mm wider but 5mm lower than the current vehicle.
Naturally, they retain a 2950mm wheelbase.
Braked towing capacity and gross vehicle mass are 2900kg in the Standard, and 3100kg in the High GVM. The current flagship D90 diesel already offers both a braked towing capacity and a GVM of 3100kg.
The new variants offer a choice of 18- or 20-inch wheels.
The updated D90 is known as the Maxus Lingdi, or Territory, in China where it was revealed last year.
Under the bonnet is a 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel four-cylinder augmented by a 48V mild-hybrid system, with 160kW of power and 500Nm of torque
It’s distinguished by its flared wheel arches and more aggressive front fascia, including slimmer headlights and a larger grille.
Even more dramatic changes can be found inside, with a new dashboard featuring a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.
There are also chunky metal-look grab handles on either side of the centre console, as well as another on the passenger side of the dash.
There’s a new all-terrain system with up to 10 fixed terrain modes and 27 combination modes, as well as locking differentials and a creep mode.
Available features in China include a panoramic sunroof, adaptive LED headlights, colour-adjustable ambient lighting, a surround-view camera, and power-adjustable front seats with heating, ventilation and massage functions.
To the end of September, LDV has sold 2569 D90s in Australia. That sees it outselling other body-on-frame SUVs like the Toyota Fortuner (2340 sales) and SsangYong Rexton (1399 sales), while also approaching the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport (3047 sales).
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