The Hilux’s little brother is the center of attention at the Bangkok International Motor Show
The 45th Bangkok International Motor Show, held in Thailand from 27 March to 7 April 2024, was a success with 1.61 million visitors over 12 days. Along with the mainstay Hilux Revo (the Thai name for the Hilux), the Hilux Champ, the younger brother of the Hilux, with its chunky design, attracted a lot of attention at the Toyota booth. What kind of car is it?
Toyota’s IMV Project develops pick-up trucks for a new era
You may recognize this vehicle as it was displayed at the Japan Mobility Show in October 2023 as “IMV 0”. IMV stands for “Innovative International Multi-purpose Vehicle” and refers to Toyota’s strategic project using a platform aimed at emerging markets. The first of these vehicles was the seventh-generation Hilux (known as the Hilux Vigo in Thailand), which was launched in Thailand in 2004, followed by the Fortuner and Inova. The IMV series has sold a total of more than 2.7 million units so far in Thailand, making it a kind of ‘national car’.
Based on the fact that the lifestyles of the Thai people have changed dramatically over the past 20 years, Toyota “returned to its roots in the IMV series to create an IMV pick-up truck that is truly affordable and meets the needs of customers”, and conducted a thorough survey of users’ lifestyles, mainly by local engineers.
On 27 November 2023, it was launched in Thailand as the new Hilux Champ. The long wheelbase version is 5300 mm long x 1785 mm wide x 1735 mm high, with a wheelbase of 3085 mm, the same as the current Hilux model also on sale in Japan; the short wheelbase version has a wheelbase of 2750 mm and an overall length of 4970 mm. Prices start at 459,000 baht. Taking into account the current weak yen exchange rate, this is an extremely reasonable price.
The deck’s large number of bolt holes speaks volumes about its overwhelming expandability
The main selling point of the Hilux Champ is its freedom of expansion. The flat deck can be left unequipped, and there are numerous bolt holes around the deck. This was done to make it easy to fasten the bodywork to the chassis using bolts and nuts.
There were four Hilux Champ-built models on display at the Bangkok International Motor Show, but the custom car that attracted the most attention was the 20-inch WORK Gnosis CVX wheels installed, as opposed to the 14-inch iron-chin wheels in the standard version.
This car was a collaboration between TOYOTA SUMMIT, a major Toyota dealer in Thailand, and AZC Original, a custom shop in Bangkok. In addition to the suspension, the seats were Recaro RCS in red and the rear shone with a centre two-piece exhaust system.
However, the high-impact front mask is almost entirely stock. The grille and bumper, which adopt recent trends to emphasize a rugged and geared look, are common to all models, while the headlights, with their futuristic two horizontal bar LEDs, are available on the top-of-the-range ‘Attractive Package’. The lower lip spoiler is the only element added later.
How likely is it to be introduced in Japan?
Pick-up trucks are the most familiar vehicles in Thailand and are a mainstay of the customization scene. Of course, Hiluxes are also being customized in a wide variety of ways, from circuit racing to dress-up systems and outdoor activities.
The Hilux Champ, a cheaper and more customizable little brother, has great potential as a commercial vehicle, of course, but it is also easy for young people to buy and has a cool bare-bones design. It is not hard to imagine that it will become very popular in the Thai customization scene in the future.
translated by DeepL
