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China’s LDV has given business owners something to think about, with the launch of a new model at the ‘very’ affordable end of the market.
The new model follows the G10 van that was announced in June with a $29,990 drive-away price tag (for ABN holders), offering a relatively healthy 165kW and 330Nm from its turbocharged 2.0 litre petrol engine, matched with a ZF six-speed automatic.
Now, customers can choose to shift their own gears via a five-speed manual in the G10 and do away with the turbocharged engine, but the trade-off sees the price fall to just $25,990 drive-away for ABN holders.
Instead, the G10 manual gets a naturally-aspirated version of Mitsubishi’s 2.4 litre four-cylinder petrol engine which is popular among Chinese carmakers, making 105kW and 210Nm.
The G10 can still haul around a tonne, and is a league away for cargo space from its nearest competitors price-wise in the Citroen Berlingo, Fiat’s Doblo, the Renault Kangoo and Volkswagen’s Caddy.
The new Chinese van is also a league away from its similarly-sized rivals on price, with a gap approaching the $8,000-mark when compared to the likes of the Hyundai iLoad and Toyota’s HiAce.
All-important cargo space measures 5200 litres, while the payload is rated at 1093kg. Access to the cargo area is via dual sliding side doors and a lift-up rear tailgate.
Drive goes to the rear wheels but the manual version swaps the automatic’s coil-sprung rear end for leaf springs. Said wheels are 16-inch alloys with a full-size spare.
Fuel consumption for the automatic is rated at 11.7 l/100km, while the new manual model trims consumption to 11.5 l/100km. The fuel tank holds 75 litres.
LDV’s other van offering in Australia, the V80, was awarded only 2-stars for safety by ANCAP when it was assessed, but LDV lifted that rating to 3-stars in September. The G10 is yet to be assessed.
The 2015 LDV G10 Manual is available now, backed by a three-year, 100,000km warranty. A diesel-powered version of the G10 is expected to follow but timing is yet to be confirmed.
MORE News & Reviews: LDV | Vans
- Interested in buying LDV G10? Visit our LDV G10 showroom for more information.
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8 Comments
165kW, 330Nm for < $30k?? That's bonkers! Am I the only one imagining that drivetrain fitted to a low-slung Toyota 86 competitor? Slightly tune it up to 180+kW and you'd have something that would destroy all sub-$50k hot hatches and sports cars.
Destroy all hot hatches sub $50k? On price may be - on quality most probably not. You can buy a 184kw Focus ST new for under $40k and a WRX for not much more. I know what I would buy.
My interest was sparked up when I started reading till I got the the part they are using that old dog of a mitsu motor that should have been retired a decade ago. Really would have been on my shopping list otherwise. The problem with the 2.0 turbo is it seems a rather odd motor to have in a work van and maybe if they had a turbo diesel in it with auto for that money they might sell a heap more.
It might be cheap to buy, but how much does it actually cost to own? The history of Chinese commercials in Australia would suggest that they're not cheap in the long run.
They really stuffed up with the manual, I would have been a buyer but they have omitted cruise control from the spec sheet, silly silly silly LDV......mandatory these days especially for me lots of long distance driving.......oh well:-/
Price up a quality after market cruise control kit and see what you can come up with. It wouldn't be too expensive and then you would have a manual G10 with cruise. The (low) tech under the bonnet probably wouldn't make it too difficult to fit. Worth a little bit of research at the very least.
as an owner yet to have its first service, to much chemical on delivery thus door handles a different color, turned grey on two diff sides, petrol consumption far to high,driver seat cuts into legs behind the knees not been able to lower the front of seat more, thirsty halogen light globes in cargo area and take 15 minutes to go out if door left open and no over ride switch, pulls well but as soon as it his a rise on instant fuel read out 20 ltrs to the hundred klms, power 12v access switch on floor thus camera and gps wires go across airbags dangerous if they go off as it will rip them off from glass, lack of side airbags, seat covers have to be custom made $200-$300 each seat, i use seat inserts, speedo is up to 6 klm out by my gps reading at 100 klm per h you in fact are only doing 94klmph, fuel economy needs to be economised, and first 2 services at 5,000klms or 6 months not a fixed price.
I just bought a turbo petrol after driving most of the competition. It handled better, felt solid, and to me the styling is great. The motor is a gem, so smooth and has some serious, effortless power. Gearbox is fantastic. In fact the whole package is great. If this had another badge they would sell truck loads. I had my trusty long term mechanic take a look and drive and he gave it thumbs up. I think there is a blind bias against everything Chinese but these need to be judged on their own. So many of the components on other makes are made in China but we just accept them because they display a French or German badge. I'm very fussy and have had a lot of vehicles and trust my judgement . I wouldn't hesitate to recommend one of these to someone looking for a van.