2025 LDV eT60: Second-gen electric ute inspired by Maxus GST here next year

An all-new 2025 LDV electric ute is due in Australia by the end of next year, the brand has confirmed.

LDV Australia said the new ute, the production version of the quad-motor GST concept unveiled at the 2023 Shanghai auto show (photographs here sourced from CarNewsChina [↗]), will feature four-wheel-drive, a larger body, and is being developed as an EV-first model.

Expected to eventually replace all or some of the current T60 Max variants, the model could retain a diesel powertrain – but it's no certainty, and LDV's local arm said it'd need to develop a strong business case.

“EV 4X4 pickup in 2024, confirming publicly that this vehicle is coming to Australia and is scheduled to be in your local dealers by 2024,” said LDV Australia general manager Dinesh Chinnappa.

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The Maxus GST at the 2023 Shanghai auto show | image CarNewsChina

"It’ll be 4WD, capable. It’s a big car, without putting a tape measure to it at the Shanghai Show, it’s larger than the existing T60. It’s a substantial car.

“What we have is a product plan and a [start of production] timeline. We’ll get into that [publicly] as we get closer, with a launch mid-late next year, we’ll get product info mid-next year.

“It won’t be a cheap vehicle and, if I can be clear, it doesn’t need to be… [LDV is] leading the technology development platforms, not playing catch-up."

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A pretty space aged cabin | image CarNewsChina

While the LDV GST concept featured a quad-motor setup with 746kW and a claimed 14,000Nm peak torque output for a three-second 0-100km/h sprint time, expect the actual ute to be far more subdued.

It also featured a semi-solid state battery pack, a 1000-kilometre driving range, a tank-turn function similar to the forthcoming Mercedes-Benz EQG, and height-adjustable air suspension, but it's unclear if any of these features will make it to production.

LDV Australia did not mention towing capacity or power outputs in confirming that the all-new electric ute would arrive here in around 12 months.

As for the name, it'll be called the Maxus Interstellar in China but that name's unlikely to carry into Australia. Instead, expect the new ute to take the T60 nomenclature, or perhaps move up to a larger number such as T80 or T90 – though it's yet to be confirmed.

The existing LDV eT60 is currently Australia's only all-electric – or electrified – dual-cab ute.

Priced from $92,990 before on-road costs, it has been criticised for its high price, reduced 1000kg braked towing capacity, 330km driving range, lower 130kW/310Nm outputs, two-wheel-drive only powertrain, and lack of key equipment including potentially life-saving autonomous emergency braking.

While pricing will likely remain similar or become higher, the new ute should address these concerns, as it is being developed as an electric-first model.

At the eT60 launch in November 2022 – where it scored 4/10 in our review – Chinnappa said the follow-up discussed here will be a "completely new generation" that will offer a step-change improvement over the existing model.

“It’ll have the benefit of newer battery technology, greater range, lighter weight, cheaper manufacturing process…the technology curve is exponential,” he said.

Alongside the eT60, LDV offers the eDeliver 9 electric van and an electric people-mover, the Mifa 9.

All three models have raised eyebrows with high pricing, though LDV is targeting blue-chip fleet companies and governments looking to hit strict emissions targets rather than private buyers.