LDV has officially announced that it will launch a new bakkie in South Africa later this month.
The Chinese carmaker recently hosted a preview event for the new Terron 9, a large pickup that is expected to compete in the coun¬try’s premium segment alongside entries like the GWM P500 and the Ford Ranger Wildtrak.
This will be the first time the brand has launched a new vehicle since it first set up shop in SA in May last year. LDV, for those who aren’t familiar, is a sub-brand of SAIC – one of China’s ‘Big Four’ State-owned car manufacturers alongside FAW, Dongfeng and Changan. Since its debut, LDV has offered a single model aimed at private households, namely the T60 midsize bakkie, which is a compet¬itor to the likes of the Toyota Hilux.
However, the brand has decided that it is ready to expand its local product selection with the new Terron 9, which will serve as its flagship vehicle in SA.
“Exciting times are near as we prepare to launch the Terron 9 at the end of August, starting off with an exclusive sneak peek, we are excited to bring this powerhouse to the South African market.” ex¬pressed, Bevan Nel, CEO of LDV South Africa.
The company confirmed that the Terron 9 will make its public debut at the Festival of Motoring at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit in Gauteng from August 28 - 31, 2025.
WHAT TO EXPECT
At launch, the Terron 9 will be made available in three specifications – the Elite, Luxury and Premium. According to AutoTrader, all three versions are powered by a 2.5-litre turbocharged diesel engine that develops a substantial 153kW and 520Nm.
Furthermore, every model is equipped with a four-wheel-drive system and an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
To put this in perspective, these are the performance stats for a few other high-end double cabs sold in SA:
GWM P500 2.4T Luxury 4×4 – 135kW/480Nm
Toyota Hilux 2.8GD-6 4×4 Leg¬end – 150kW/500Nm
Ford Ranger 3.0TD V6 Wildtrak 4WD – 184kW/600Nm
Owners will have access to three driving modes for normal, eco and sport, as well as a variety of terrain settings for mud, snow, sand, tow, rock, deep snow, deep mud and rock crawl.
The more intense terrain settings will also engage the low-range gearbox. It has a maximum towing capacity of 3 500kg, while the load bin can take up to 1 100kg.
HIGHLIGHTS
In terms of size, the LDV clocks in at 5 500mm in length and 2 252mm in width, with a wheelbase of 3 300mm, making it one of the larger bakkies in the country.
The full spec sheet will only be confirmed at launch, but a few of the highlights showcased thus far include a 12.3-inch infotain¬ment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a JBL stereo, automatic climate control, elec¬tric seats and a driver assistance suite with features like a surround-view camera system.
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