After showing it off as a thinly-veiled concept both in Thailand and in the Philippines, Toyota has finally revealed the production version of its new IMV 0 (IMV Zero) in Thailand. Officially named, “Hilux Champ” it carries a price tag of just 459,000 Baht to 577,000 Baht (P 724,572 to P 910,846).
The original IMV series was developed under the leadership of Akio Toyoda, then Chief Executive Officer of the Asia Region and current Chairman of the Board. With customer needs evolving and diversifying, Toyota decided to return to the IMV’s origins to create a pickup truck that’s truly affordable and meets the needs of customers in the region.
Toyota Motor Thailand will offer the Hilux Champ in a total of eight grades. There are short and long wheelbase versions as well as three engine types: a 2.0-liter gasoline (1TR-FE), a 2.7-liter gasoline (2TR-FE), and a 2.4-liter diesel engine (2GD-FTV).
The smaller of the gasoline engines produce 139 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 183 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. This version gets a 5-speed manual as the sole gearbox. Moving up, the 2.7-liter gets 166 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 245 Nm at 4,000 rpm. This version gets a 6-speed automatic with sequential shift. The diesel with 150 horsepower at 3,400 rpm can be mated to either a 5-speed manual (343 Nm at 1,400 to 2,800 rpm) or 6-speed automatic (400 Nm at 1,600 to 2,000 rpm).
The Hilux Champ, and by extension, the next-generation Tamaraw dons a styling that Toyota calls, “Retro Polygon.” It’s a function over form design that’s built to be easily repairable, while also providing unparalleled front visibility.
The short wheelbase version measures 2,750 mm between the front and rear wheels, with a bed length of 2,312 mm. Meanwhile, the long wheelbase grows to 3,085 mm with a bed length of 2,647 mm. In both cases, the bed width is an impressive 1,711 mm. Its turning radius is a compact 4.9 to 5.4 meters.
An unequipped type with a flat deck rear is also available. This version has bolt holes at various locations so that custom accessories can be easily attached using bolts and nuts. In addition, for those customers who request customization, Toyota can provide information on more than 100 accessory manufacturers so that each customer can enjoy personalized customization.
Features of the Hilux Champ include LED headlights, power adjustable side view mirrors, 14-inch wheels and tires, easy-to-clean PVC seating material, air conditioning, power windows, and a two-speaker system. Despite its rather spartan equipment level, it does have dual SRS airbags and ABS with EBD (ventilated disc at the front, drums at the back) across the line-up. It will also have access to the advanced telematics system called Toyota Connect.
Colors are also fairly limited to just four: Super White, Off White, Dark Gray Metallic, and Silver Metallic.
The Hilux Champ will be produced for Thailand at Toyota’s Samrong Plant. It will be produced as the Tamaraw at Toyota’s Santa Rosa Plant for market launch by 2024.
2024 Toyota Hilux Champ (Tamaraw) General Specifications
- Seating: 2
- Overall Length: 4,970 mm (SWB) / 5,300 mm (LWB)
- Overall Width: 1,785 mm
- Overall Height: 1,735 mm
- Wheelbase: 2,750 mm (SWB) / 3,085 mm (LWB)
- Ground Clearance: 164 mm or 180 mm
- Bed Dimensions (L x W x H), in mm: 2,312 x 1,711 x 327 (SWB) / 2,647 x 1,711 x 327 (LWB)
- Drive System: RWD
- Curb Weight: 2,790 kg
- Minimum Turning Radius: 5.4 m
- Engine: 2.0-liter DOHC Dual VVTi (139 PS @ 5,600 rpm / 183 Nm @ 4,000 rpm)
- Engine: 2.7-liter DOHC Dual VVTi (166 PS @ 5,200 rpm / 245 Nm @ 4,000 rpm)
- Engine: 2.4-liter DOHC VN Turbo (150 PS @ 3,400 rpm / 343 Nm @ 1,400 rpm for MT; 400 Nm @ 1,600-2,000 rpm for AT
- Transmission: 5-speed MT or 6-speed AT
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 55 liters (SWB) / 70 liters (LWB)
2790kg is more likely the GVM. I cannot immagine a curb weight of 2790kgs in a compact spartan truck like this.
ReplyDeleteThe indicated 2,790 kg is the curb weight for the 2.4-liter diesel, LWB with rear deck.
DeleteIs there a possibility that if the local production tamarraw also gets the 2.4 liter diesel will the innova also move to the 2.4 liter to lower the price?
DeleteAlso hoping the we get the AT Version. bigger cargo trucks from isuzu and fuso have AMT versions of their cab chassis at a competitive price, the tamarraw could be a segment first vs the Traviz/L300 if they offer the AT. I know a lot of lalamove and transportify drivers who use AT vehicles for their delivery service and i know a lot of MSME here in the MM using automatic AUVs for business/logistic purposes especially with the worsening traffic. They're already saying the FC doesn't really matter if you're idling in traffic most of the time.
Heavier than a raptor??
DeleteWell...that's what the official info says...
DeleteI think with this, Toyota can discontinue the single cab low riding Hilux FX and focus the Hilux towards the "lifestyle" segment of the pickup truck market. As sacrilegious as this may sound, that is where the global pickup truck market is going towards; hence, the Tamaraw will still be here to fill in that void of a true tough utilitarian pickup truck while the Hilux can now pursue comfort, space, and tech without compromise especially for the next-generation Hilux. How times are changing indeed.
ReplyDeleteMy theory is that even the Lite Ace might also bite the dust too (at least locally) if the pricing of the Tamaraw is close to the Thai ones.
DeleteIt's interesting that Toyota TR engine will still be offered in the Hilux Champ, despite being a 20+ year old engine. But I guess, here in PH, the Tamaraw would be offered only in diesel (2.8 1GD-FTV) and perhaps diesel hybrid.
ReplyDeleteSo it's basically a Hilux Champ just going to be renamed as Tamaraw locally.
ReplyDeleteYup. Basically.
DeleteIMV lives on! As the next gen Hilux/Fortuner is rumored to switch to the TNGA-F platform and the Innova Zenix already migrating to the monocoque TNGA platform, Toyota is still maximizing the IMV platform's use (albeit in the low rider 5 wheel stud variant). I wonder if a 4x4 version is in the pipeline.
ReplyDeleteIf the Fortuner is moving to TNGA-F wouldn't that eat into the shoes that the new gen land cruiser prado? It would be much more logical for toyota to have SEA production for the prado(with the 2.4 and the 2.8 diesel) than engineer another Fortuner since they're basically the same size, I can understand the hilux since toyota still needs a global mid size but having two vehicles at the same size segment with the same platform is kinda odd. In australia the prado's competitor is actually the everest and the montero sport, they should've discontinued the fortuner there.
DeleteIt is rumored that the new Prado will have quite a significant price increase in Australia, allowing more room for the Fortuner to exist. My guess is that a TNGA-F Fortuner will likely not have all the goodies that the Prado has like the KDSS, Crawl Control, Full-time 4WD, etc. to keep the costs down and to make sure that the Fortuner won't eat up the Prado's sales.
DeleteWeird proportions!
ReplyDeleteNo stability control and no automatic transmission option.
Ground clearance is low though similar to the old 2000's Ford Ranger single cab
Huh? 6-speed AT is an available option. But you're right that there's no stability control.
DeleteCan't quite understand why Toyota even offered the gasoline engines here. The 2.4l diesel engine alone would have been enough.
ReplyDelete3rd world vehicle for 3rd world countries. Not bad!
ReplyDeleteFor business I'd rather have a "3rd world car" that runs than a cheap Chinese copies that are disposable. Toyota knows reliability sells.
ReplyDeleteI just wish that there is also an MPV/wagon version like the Tamaraw FX of yesteryears, for UV Express and fleet use. The Hiace is already too expensive for some, and the Crosswind and Adventure already ended production in 2017. There are also some business owners who favor a vehicle with seats as this allow them flexibility; I've seen some who chose the Hiace Commuter with seats instead of the Cargo version. Although a Toyota executive hinted that an SUV version of the IMV0 is on the works, potentially a cheaper version of the Fortuner because the Fortuner is already too expensive for some. I hope they'll also consider an MPV/wagon people hauler with bench type seats at the 3rd row for UV Express and fleet use.
ReplyDeleteIt will most likely be available with an FB body/utility van type here in the Philippines like the Liteace. But this time, since it will be built locally, the rear body could potentially be built by Toyota PH themselves instead of outsourcing the rear body from Centro, Almazora, Metrotrucks and the like (but AFAIK, even the locally produced LCVs like the L300 until now and the H100 back then still outsourced the rear body, so Toyota PH could still also go this way.)
Deleteis this tamaraw better than the "lifestyle" pick-ups like the toyota stout, the hyundai santa cruz or the ford maverick?
ReplyDeleteWhat about a Tamaraw SUV? It seems its dimension and cubic design looks similar to the Suzuki Jimny.
ReplyDeleteOnce this comes out, these units will just still be fined gate-passes or the so-called 'community improvement fund' whenever they have to pass through inside villages unless they have stickers lmfao.
ReplyDeleteWould love to see a 5 door diesel on it. I mean look at that fascia, so good classic looking!
ReplyDeleteToyota can provide information on more than 100 accessory manufacturers so that each customer can enjoy personalized customization.
ReplyDeleteI cannot find 1 in Google and I live in Asia.