2022 SAIC Maxus Bull Demon King: Rugged LDV 4x4 ute revealed in China

Chinese automaker SAIC Motor has revealed a kitted-up LDV T60 Max under its Maxus nameplate called the SAIC Maxus Bull Demon King. Yes, you read that correctly, that’s its name.

First shown as a concept at the Chengdu motor show in September 2021, Maxus chose the 2021 Guangzhou motor show as the platform to reveal the production-spec Bull Demon King.

A spokesperson from Ateco, LDV’s local importer, said they’re aware of the Maxus Bull Demon King but it’s too early to confirm anything for the Australian market.

Setting this beefed-up ute apart from lesser T60 Max/T70 models are features like flared wheel arches with exposed bolts, a steel front bumper with integrated winch and recovery points, roof-mounted light bar, bonnet scoop, side steps, plastic side cladding, sports bar, and off-road tyres.

The Bull Demon King is painted in a light grey colour with orange accents and has a blacked-out grille insert featuring the ‘Maxus’ emblem.

Inside is another world entirely with plush leather upholstery, a curved dash encasing the 10.25-inch digital driver’s display and 12-inch touchscreen infotainment system, as well as other modern inclusions like an electric park brake.

Powering this model is the same 2.0-litretwin-turbocharged diesel four-cylinder producing 160kW of power and 500Nm of torque.

It’s mated to a ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic transmission which sends power to all four wheels and can tow up to 3.5 tonnes, which is 500kg more than the Australian-spec T60 Max.

Pricing starts at ￥250,000 (A$54,775) according to CarNewsChina and is available for pre-sale in China now.

The Bull Demon King’s biggest rival in China currently is the GWM Cannon ‘Black Bullet’ ute fitted out with accessories by Chinese 4×4 accessory company Yunliang.

Set to sell for a similar price as the Bull Demon King, the Cannon Black Bullet is currently limited to 400 units.

It features the same off-road-inspired upgrades, along with similar accents.

Should the rugged-looking LDV arrive locally, it would locally compete against the likes of the Toyota HiLux Rugged X, Mazda BT-50 Thunder, Nissan Navara Pro-4X Warrior, and Isuzu D-Max X-Terrain, among others.

LDV has previously offered two locally-tuned T60 Trailrider models, with the T60 Trailrider 2 last available in 2020.

It featured a Walkinshaw suspension tune, along with a detuned 2.0-litre turbo diesel from the LDV D90 SUV instead of the 2.8-litre turbo diesel used in the regular models.

Similar to the original T60 Trailrider, it wore black exterior accents, blacked-out badges, and sports bar.

Given the T60 Max recently launched in November, it’s expected that LDV has a Trailrider version of this vehicle in the works as well.

A spokesperson from Ateco said in regard to the possibility of a T60 Max Trailrider, “Never say never, but we’re focusing on the LDV T60 Max right now.”

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