2025 LDV Terron 9 diesel ute approved for Australia with electric eTerron 9, due next year
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LDV is set to launch its boldest ute yet in Australia, a successor to the T60 with a choice of turbo-diesel or high-output, all-wheel-drive electric power.
The next generation of LDV’s Toyota HiLux and Ford Ranger competitor – the 2025 LDV Terron 9 – has been approved for Australia in diesel and electric forms.
LDV has confirmed the electric eTerron 9 is on track for Australian showrooms in early 2025, as the first four-wheel-drive, battery-powered ute in a car brand’s local showrooms – rather than an unofficial import.
Now it has received government approval to sell a diesel version of its new ute, known as the Terron 9, with a new 2.5-litre engine that would make it one of the most powerful four-cylinders in its class.
MORE: New LDV electric ute for Australia revealed as Europe's Maxus eTerron 9
Showroom arrival timing for the diesel Terron 9 is yet to be confirmed, but given the approval documents have been filed alongside the electric model, it could launch within months of its siblings.
It is not unheard of for a car maker to file approval documents for new vehicles without confirmed plans to introduce them, but it is rare – and the T60 is now seven years old, so it is due for replacement.
Prices are yet to be confirmed, but the new ute’s larger body and performance improvements – over today’s T60 and eT60 – may see the most expensive LDV pick-up yet.
The diesel and electric Terron 9 utes share Hummer-like bodywork inspired by the Maxus GST concept shown in China last year, with 18-inch or 20-inch alloy wheels.
MORE: LDV's next HiLux, Ranger ute rival for Australia leaked, due next year
However, the pair differ in their front-end treatments, with a large grille and T-shaped daytime-running lights on the diesel, and a closed-off nose with C-shaped lights on the EV.
The pair measure 5500mm long, 1997mm wide and 1860mm tall, on a 3300mm wheelbase – 105mm longer nose to tail, 97mm wider, 41mm taller and 125mm longer in wheelbase than the current T60 Max Plus.
It is one of the largest utes in the class, coming in 130mm longer overall, 79mm wider and 30mm longer in wheelbase than a Ford Ranger Sport, but 26mm lower.
The approval documents list a broad range of variants – all dual-cab pick-ups – with rear- or all-wheel drive, and braked towing capacities of up to 3.5 tonnes, including the electric model.
Powering the regular Terron 9 is a new 2.5-litre single-turbo four-cylinder diesel engine producing 164kW (officially 163.5kW) – up on the 160kW of the current T60’s 500Nm 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel.
It would make the Terron 9 the second-most powerful four-cylinder diesel ute on sale, behind only the 165kW/550Nm 2.8-litre Toyota HiLux GR Sport.
The 2.5-litre engine is matched with an eight-speed automatic transmission, with a choice of rear- or four-wheel drive – the latter suggested to be a more sophisticated system capable of 4×4 use on sealed surfaces.
It lists a braked towing capacity of 3500kg – up from 3000kg in the T60 – as well as 220mm of ground clearance.
The documents list the Terron 9 with 3320kg and 3500kg gross vehicle masses (GVMs) – each with rear- or four-wheel drive – translating to payloads of 979kg to 1329kg.
It is not clear why there is a choice of GVMs, but the 3320kg 4WD model’s sub-1000kg payload means it would be eligible for a novated lease.
Compared to the outgoing T60 – which is sold with standard four-wheel drive, but a choice of manual or automatic transmissions – payloads are up by as much as 599kg (vs 730-935kg).
Meanwhile, the electric eTerron 9 is offered with a single 200kW rear electric motor, or dual-motor all-wheel drive – 200kW rear and 125kW front – for 325kW combined.
Overseas specifications show the motors are matched with a 102kWh battery pack, for a 430km driving range rating based on European WLTP testing for the all-wheel-drive model.
All eTerron 9 utes are quoted as having a 3500kg braked tow rating and 3500kg gross vehicle mass, but its 2750kg to 2850kg mass means payload is down to 650-750kg.
For context, the current eT60 claims a 1000kg payload – but can only tow 1000kg braked, and has a 330km WLTP lab-tested range.
In Europe, a 0-100km/h acceleration time of 5.8 seconds is claimed for the dual-motor version, while DC fast charging at up to 115kW is said to enable a 20 to 80 per cent fast charge in 40 minutes.
Air suspension – with a multi-link rear suspension design – is available overseas, as is power-operated lowerable rear glass that can extend the length of the tray, and a 236-litre front storage area where the diesel engine would sit in the Terron 9.
Images of the right-hand-drive interior published on the LDV website show it matches the left-hand-drive cabin, with two large screens, a two-spoke steering wheel and a ‘floating’ centre console.
More details are due closer to the 2025 LDV eTerron 9 ute’s Australian launch early next year – and the eventual introduction of the Terron 9 diesel variant.
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