Based on theIMV platform, the Hilux Champ was designed and engineered by Toyota Daihatsu Engineering & Manufacturing (TDEM) in collaboration with Japanese and Australian engineering teams.[4][5] The vehicle adopts a rugged styling, with extensive use of angular, boxy lines,[6] and was designed withmodularity in mind as owners throughbody builders are able to mount a customized rear section to the chassis using bolts, making conversions easier.[2][7] The development of the Hilux Champ was led by its chief engineer Jurachart Jongusuk, who was also the chief engineer for the 2020 and 2024 facelifts of theHilux and the 2020 facelift of theFortuner.[8]
Sharing its platform with the Hilux, it uses the sameladder frame underpinnings withleaf spring suspension at the rearaxle.[9] For easier city use, the Hilux Champ is designed with shorterbonnet and cab. The steering rack is also modified from the Hilux to create shorterturning radius at 4.9 metres (16.1 ft) for the short-wheelbase version.[10]
The Hilux Champ was first revealed as a single-cab pickup concept called theToyota IMV 0 that was presented on 14 December 2022 atToyota Motor Thailand's 60th anniversary event, hosted byAkio Toyoda.[11] Toyoda stated "Internally we call it the IMV 0 concept. Its official launch is actually over a year away, but I wanted all of you to be the first to see it!".[12]
The IMV 0 was later showcased in Indonesia as theRangga Concept at the30th Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show held from 10 to 20 August 2023,[13][14] and later in the Philippines as theNext Generation Tamaraw Concept on 22 August 2023 atToyota Motor Philippines' 35th anniversary event.[15] The IMV 0 was also showcased in Japan at the2023 Japan Mobility Show held from 26 October to 5 November 2023.[16] Through those aforementioned events, Toyota displayed multiple applications of the vehicle to highlight its modularity, such as a mobile cafe, cargo truck, ambulance, an off-road-modified vehicle, a race-inspired flat-deck street truck, acamper, and a modernJeepney.[17][18][19]
The production version was revealed on 27 November 2023 in Thailand.[20]
Rear view
Interior
Toyota IMV 0 (concept)
Toyota Rangga Concept flat-deck street truck (Indonesia)
The Hilux Champ is available with 2.0-litre and 2.7-litre petrol engines, and a 2.4-litre diesel engine, which are carried over from other IMV vehicles such as the Hilux,Fortuner andInnova.
In Peru, the Hilux Champ is sold as theHilux Stout, deriving its nameplate from theToyota Stout.[21] It was launched on 29 August 2024, only available in a short-wheelbase version with a 2.4-litre diesel engine.[22][23]
Toyota's Indonesian subsidiary,Toyota Astra Motor marketed the vehicle as theHilux Rangga in the country since 2024.[24] The nameRangga was formerly used for a variant of thepre-facelift fourth-generation Kijang sold between 1997 and 2000, and is taken from theJavanese wordronggo, meaning 'hero'.[25] The finalized specification model was revealed at the31st Indonesia International Motor Show in February 2024,[26] before going on sale on 15 October 2024.[27] It is only available in a short-wheelbase version with two variants: Standard and High. Both variants are available with a choice of two engine options; a 2.0-litre petrol and a 2.4-litre diesel.[28]
A three-row SUV version was also revealed during its nationwide launch event as a prototype vehicle called theHilux Rangga SUV Concept.[29][30] The revealed prototype is based on the 2.4 High type,[31] with the entire rear section is built by the local coachbuilder New Armada using a full-pressing method.[32][33] The side mirrors and tail lights were taken from theLand Cruiser 79 wagon.[34] The model is stated to enter production and will be sold through Toyota dealers in the country starting 2025.[35]
In the Philippines, the Hilux Champ is marketed simply as theTamaraw, resurrecting the nameplate that was last used by the Philippine specification version of theKijang sold between 1976 and 2005.[36][37] Although marketing materials refer the vehicle as the 'Tamaraw', the vehicle itself retains the physical 'Hilux' name on the doors and instrument cluster.[38][39] The production model was revealed in May 2024 at the 17th Toyota Road Trek event inDavao,[40][41][42] before going on sale on 6 December 2024 for the 2025 model year.[43] It is available in short-wheelbase and long-wheelbase options; the SWB option is equipped with a 2.0-litre petrol engine paired with a 5-speed manual transmission, while the LWB option is equipped with a 2.4-litre diesel engine paired with either 5-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmissions.[44][45] Extra options such as alloy wheels, power windows, door locks and mirrors are only available on the 2.4 GL Dropside LWB variant.[46] It is locally assembled at Toyota Motor Philippines' plant inSanta Rosa, Laguna, with production commencing on 28 November 2024, initially for the 2.4 LWB diesel models.[47] The 2.0 SWB petrol models were delayed to February 2025, due to the plant's on-going capacity building for the vehicle at the time of its initial launch.[48][49]
Going on sale on 27 November 2023,[20] the Hilux Champ is available in short-wheelbase and long-wheelbase options, with the latter option is only available with a 2.4-litre diesel engine.[10]
.jpg)
.jpg)
_front_view.jpg)
