Weststar Maxus had a surprise at its Hari Raya open house today, and it’s the Maxus T60 pick-up truck, which is now in Malaysia and open for booking. We first got wind of the T60 coming to Malaysia a year ago; the original timeline was end-2018, but better slightly late than never.
The Maxus T60 will be available here in two variants: manual and high-spec auto. The range topper’s indicative price is RM99,000 on-the-road without insurance, which is rather eye-popping. The manual’s price will be just a few thousand lower, which makes the auto appear like the better deal.
We’re informed that the T60’s launch will be in two to three months time, pending homologation, and the initial batch will be CBU imports from China. Local assembly is being worked on at present, and the Johor-assembled CKD T60 is expected to be ready in Q4 2019.
The Maxus T60 made its debut at the Guangzhou Motor Show in late-2016 as SAIC Motor’s first pick-up truck, one that is made to international standards, the company claims. The T60 – under the legacy LDV brand – was launched in Australia in September 2017, and has a five-star ANCAP crash test rating, so safety is assured.
Australia, a big market for ‘utes’, was the first right-hand-drive market to get the T60, which is also sold in New Zealand in right-hand-drive form. The T60 pictured is not too far away from the Oz-spec truck, and we’re told that the final car will be 95% what you see here – for one, Weststar Maxus is looking at wheels larger than the 17s on this example.
The T60 is powered by a VM Motori 2.8 litre four-cylinder turbodiesel putting out 150 hp and 360 Nm of torque, available from 1,600 to 2,800 rpm. The R428 DOHC oil burner with VGT is paired to six-speed manual and automatic transmissions, the latter with manual mode. Normal, Eco and Power driving modes are available, as is 4WD, which can be engaged via a rotary 2H-4H-4L dial.
The rest of the spec sheet doesn’t veer far from the one-tonne truck course – front double wishbone suspension, rear leaf springs, hydraulic power steering, and front/rear ventilated disc brakes are attached to the ladder frame.
The T60 is decently equipped. For a start, ABS, ESP and six airbags contribute to the five-star ANCAP rating. The integrated 10-inch colour touchscreen is hooked up to a reverse camera and 360-degree parking camera. There are also auto LED headlights, LED daytime running lights, keyless entry with push start, leather seats, powered driver’s seat, auto air con, rear AC vents and a sports bar, among other things.
The manual version seen here lacks the auto’s LED headlamps and DRLs; chrome on the grille, wing mirror caps and door handles; leather seats and keyless entry with push start.
Price-content ratio is the Maxus T60’s selling point against established truck players. The costliest T60 undercuts the base-spec manual Mitsubishi Triton, and the Toyota Hilux, of course.
GALLERY: Maxus T60 in China
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“Kereta buatan china ni, tak best. mesti cepat rosak” – Ramli berkata kepada kawannya, lalu dia meninggalkan kawannya menaiki kereta PROTON X70 nya..
This is shocking. Top spec like this RM99k. Our Proton X70, is RM123k.
Shocking because Proton is supposed to be a Malaysian company and prices should be cheap for Malaysians. Proton was born to give cheap cars to Malaysians
Why are you comparing apple vs orange. Proton X70 is unsuitable to compare with this truck. Only Proton X70 can compare with X-Trail and CR-V and Subaru XV
Hahaha! Nice bro, redpilled
Proton is no longer a Malaysian brand. It is now a distributor for Geely cars. They should not have the tax benefits
Pity, after 30 years, PRoton can only be a REBADGER
No need pity… Look at Proton sales Up… MALAYSIAN Love it…
You do know that pickups are exempted from excise duty, right? Otherwise, a Hilux will be near the price of a Fortuner. Talking about born to provide cheap cars: Your Perodua selling a 15 years old small ‘SUV’ with truck chassis and old powertrain for 80k is the ultimate example of selling overpriced car.
another idiot talking nonsense.. no wonder our country fails to progress because of idiots like this
You do know that Proton X70 starts at RM99k, right? Ahh but only an imbecile doesn’t know that. You’re not an imbecile by any chance, are you?
Perodua for past 20 years have been contributing company tax to the tune of billions per year to LHDN. I am proud of Perodua as this money helps our Government to run the country
Proton has been getting company tax exemptions and waiver every year for the past 20 years as they are not making money.
Hahahaha well said
CBU bro.. Sabar…. CKD if with X70/ Buoyue Pro looks from Rm 77k to 99k….. nice
Damn…I see what you did there..
Celik betol si Ramli. Suh kawan Ramli tunggu kereta PROTON X70 buatan Malaysia… best. tak cepat rosak”
Hahaha…
That’s the same engine in Dmax & Colorado.
Omg, this is a Ranger copy
Hahahahah
This the Game changer in pikap truck segment. Vs the usual suspects Ford Ranger, Nissan Navara, Mitsubishi Triton, and Toyota Hilux.
There is already a Maxus T70, however with Euro 6 standard it will never make it to Malaysia.
Macam jenama seluar, T90
This truck design is nice! if 20 years backdated, that is.
The road tax will be double than hilux 2.4 but get the same 150 horses with less torque for this heavy truck?? Btw, Toyota engine proven to be reliable…you sure want to bet your money on China made truck??? I suggest pay extra for peace of mind…
Maxus T70 already launched, with big Maxus logo on the front grille. looks more solid to me. and with newer engine specs. Maxus is bought over from England LDV
I really hope there will be smaller engine displacement, Malaysia road tax price for 2.8L is getting expensive already…