The new LDV D90 is scheduled to launch in South Africa in the final quarter of 2024. Ahead of this 7-seater SUV’s arrival, the Chinese firm has released fresh local details…
Chinese-owned brand LDV opened its doors in South Africa in May 2024, kicking things off with the T60 range of double-cab bakkies. The new LDV D90 7-seater SUV will be next, with the automaker having now confirmed a local launch date in the final quarter of 2024.
LDV South Africa has also released fresh information on this upcoming ladder-frame SUV, along with images of 1 of the 2 units already in Mzansi for “customer viewing and final homologation”. According to the brand, that makes SA “the 1st country in the world outside China to receive this new flagship model”.
In our market, the D90 line-up looks set to comprise Elite and Flagship derivatives, each powered by the same 2.0-litre biturbodiesel engine employed by top-spec versions of the T60 bakkie. This 4-cylinder oil-burner generates 160 kW and 500 Nm, peak outputs that are delivered to all 4 wheels via a ZF-sourced 8-speed automatic transmission. Braked towing capacity is listed as 3 100 kg.
Both derivatives will feature 4×4 with low range as standard, though the Flagship variant will add front and rear differential locks to the Elite’s central item. Other standard features will include climate control, leather upholstery, a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system and dual wireless charging pads.
The D90 Flagship will furthermore score massaging- and heating functions for the front seats, while also upgrading from a standard sunroof to a panoramic version and from 18-inch gloss-black alloys wheels to 20-inch diamond-cut items. In addition, while the Elite uses an 8-speaker sound system, the Flagship boasts a 12-speaker JBL arrangement.
LDV South Africa has also confirmed that SA-spec D90 derivatives will be fitted with the “Black Package” as standard, adding a gloss-black finish for the exterior handles, side-mirror caps, roof rails and rear spoiler, along with black wheel-arch mouldings.
Safety features standard across the range will include electronic stability control, automatic emergency braking, 6 airbags, adaptive cruise control, an integrated dashcam and lane-keep assist, with the Flagship model adding a 360-degree camera system. The LDV D90 will ship standard with a 5-year/200 000 km warranty and a 5-year/100 000 km service plan.
Measuring 5 046 mm from nose to tail, the 3-row D90 is interestingly 121 mm longer than the new J250-generation Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, while its 2 950 mm wheelbase offers 100 mm more than that of the Prado. From what we understand, the D90 for the local market is effectively an LDV-badged version of the Chinese-market Maxus Lingdi (a name that translates to “Territory”).
As a reminder, the company traces its roots all the way back to 1896, when it was founded in the United Kingdom. In the late 1980s, the marque transformed into Leyland DAF Vehicles (hence the “LDV” initialism), before becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of China’s SAIC Motor in 2010.
Check back closer to Q4 2024 for more specification details and pricing…
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