LDV PROVES ITS GRIT AT TORQUE TOUR: ROOF OF AFRICA

A high-altitude driving expedition hosted by the Supertech Group took place late last month, with LDV South Africa among the participating automotive brands. Over three days, 1 000 km and 3 500 metres in elevation, the Torque Tour: Roof of Africa edition took participants through Southern Africa’s most breathtaking landscapes, including Golden Gate Highlands National Park, deep into the Maloti Mountains of Lesotho, and down the notorious Sani Pass before descending into the Drakensberg foothills. 

Open to all brands, the tour brought together drivers of established European and American 4x4s and SUVs, alongside LDV’s newest entrants to the South African market: the LDV D90 SUV and T60 Max Luxe double-cab bakkie. Participants tackled a variety of challenging terrains and driving conditions, showcasing the capabilities of their vehicles while enjoying the adventure of the open road.

The journey took participants through challenging terrain stretching towards AfriSki Mountain Resort, deep into the cold mountains, with steep gradients, dramatic switchbacks, sheer drop-offs, sharp hairpin bends and high-altitude passes rising above 3 000 metres. The route continued into a high-altitude drive through Lesotho’s dramatic mountain terrain, reaching some of the highest accessible points along the journey. With steep gradients, winding passes, rapidly changing weather conditions and thin mountain air, the landscape presents a demanding yet breathtaking driving environment. From there, the convoy descended towards the iconic Sani Pass, a true test of control, precision and vehicle capability, renowned for its sharp switchbacks, rocky surfaces and challenging mountain descent.

The LDV D90 arrived in South Africa earlier this year: a full-size seven-seater SUV built on a ladder-frame platform, powered by a 2.0-litre twin-turbo diesel producing 160 kW and 500 Nm, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and a full 4WD system with low range and three independent differential locks.

On the Torque Tour: Roof of Africa edition, those specifications translated into real-world performance. 

As the vehicles climbed to higher altitudes and temperatures dropped, they continued to deliver the capability, comfort and reliability required to tackle the demanding conditions, with the D90 keeping pace with the premium brands without hesitation. Its Crawl Control Operation (CCO) system managed the descent of Sani Pass with ease, deploying differential lock capabilities to give the driver full control of the rocky terrain.

Inside, heated seats and massage chairs kept the drivers in comfort, regardless of the conditions outside, arriving at their destinations with comfort and control. The D90’s genuine off-road hardware and performance gave it a notable presence on the tour alongside vehicles carrying much higher price tags.

Joining the D90 on the tour was the T60 Max Luxe, a double-cab bakkie, combining rugged 4x4 capability with a high level of comfort, technology and value. Powered by a 2.0-litre bi-turbo diesel engine producing 160kW and 500Nm, paired with either a 6-speed manual or 8-speed ZF automatic transmission, the T60 Max Luxe is designed to handle both demanding work environments and long-distance family travel with ease. Built on a robust ladder-frame chassis, it offers selectable 4WD with low range, rear differential lock and a towing capacity of up to 3 000 kg, giving it genuine off-road and towing credentials. 

The T60 Max Luxe also proved its versatility in a support role, towing a motorcycle throughout the tour. Even while fully loaded, it navigated the route from Clarens into Lesotho, descended the challenging Sani Pass to deliver the bike, then turned around and climbed back up the pass to collect another motorcycle -  a demanding task it handled with confidence. With 215 mm of ground clearance, the vehicle absorbed the rocky terrain with ease, confidently tackling the demanding conditions of Sani Pass. From mountain passes and dirt roads to border checkpoints and river crossings, it completed the journey without a single mechanical issue.

LDV, originally a British commercial vehicle brand established in 1896, is now backed by SAIC Motor, one of the world’s largest automotive manufacturers, with global joint ventures that include Volkswagen and General Motors. Although the brand’s roots lie in work-oriented commercial vehicles, its modern range has evolved into bakkies and SUVs that carry that working DNA into everyday life for the family or worker.

As a relatively new entrant to the South African market, experiences such as the Torque Tour: Roof of Africa edition provide an opportunity to showcase the brand’s durability, performance and versatility in some of the region’s toughest driving conditions. LDV believes its vehicles are well suited to the demands of South African driving, whether on farms, construction sites, mountain trails or family road trips.

If this journey proved anything, it is that LDV’s South African story is only just beginning. LDV aims to stay in South Africa to deliver genuine capability and premium comfort without the premium price.

For more information, go to www.ldvsouthafrica.co.za.