The Hilux is Toyota’s world-renowned pickup truck. With its robust body and high off-road capabilities, it is loved by users around the world as a reliable vehicle even in harsh environments. Now, a breath of fresh air is being breathed into the Hilux family: the new “Hilux Champ.”
The Hilux Champ, announced in Thailand in November 2023, is a new generation pickup truck developed as the first in the IMV (Innovative International Multi-purpose Vehicle) series. Its appeal lies in its combination of tough performance and high practicality.
The pickup concept model ” IMV 0″ exhibited at the Japan Mobility Show 2023 has been released for sale in Thailand as the “Hilux Champ.” Prices range from 459,000 baht (approximately 1.95 million yen) to 577,000 baht (approximately 2.45 million yen), making it more affordable than the regular Hilux. It will be produced at Toyota’s Samrong Plant in Thailand.
Although the official release announcement has not yet been made in Japan, there are many voices on social media saying, “I want it to be released in Japan too!” and expectations are high. So, in this article, we will take a closer look at the features and appeal of the Hilux Champ, as well as the possibility of its release in Japan.
Hilux Champ Overview
- A new generation pickup truck announced in Thailand in November 2023.
- The first in the IMV (Innovative International Multi-purpose Vehicle) series.
- It combines a robust body with high off-road capability and practicality.
- The release date in Japan has not yet been decided, but there are many voices of anticipation.
Features
- Tough off-road capabilities: The sturdy ladder frame structure provides excellent off-road performance.
- Highly practical: With a spacious cargo area and cabin, it is ideal for both work and leisure.
- Attractive price: The price in Thailand is reasonably priced, starting from approximately 1.95 million yen.
Variations
- Short wheelbase, long wheelbase
- 2.0L gasoline, 2.7L gasoline, 2.4L diesel engine
- 5-speed manual transmission, 6-speed manual transmission, 6-speed automatic transmission
Possibility of release in Japan
- Although there has been no official announcement, there are many voices of anticipation on social media.
- As the popularity of SUVs grows, demand for pickup trucks is also on the rise.
- With its reasonable price and high practicality, it may be well received in the Japanese market.
What is the Hilux Champ?
The Hilux Champ is a new generation pickup truck born from Toyota’s IMV project, which aims to develop affordable, high-quality vehicles for emerging markets. The Hilux Champ was unveiled in Thailand as the first model of the project.
Compared to the previous Hilux, it features a simpler and more practical design. It uses a sturdy ladder frame structure and has excellent off-road performance. And yet, it is priced very reasonably, from 459,000 to 577,000 baht (approximately 1.95 million to 2.45 million yen in Japanese yen).
Toyota’s new “IMV 0” pickup and budget “Hilux” model to be released around 2024
A thorough analysis of the appeal of the Hilux Champ!
The appeal of the Hilux Champ can be broadly divided into the following three points.
- Tough off-road capability
- Highly practical
- Attractive price
Let’s take a closer look at each one.
1. Tough off-road capability means it can handle any road!
The Hilux Champ is a full-fledged pickup truck with excellent off-road capabilities. The secret to its superior performance is its sturdy ladder frame structure. A ladder frame is a frame constructed in the shape of a ladder, and it boasts high strength and durability.
Furthermore, the approach and departure angles are designed to be large, so you can easily clear steep slopes and uneven surfaces. You can drive safely on all road conditions, including off-road, snowy roads, and gravel roads.
2. Highly practical, great for both work and leisure!
The Hilux Champ is highly practical and can be used for both work and leisure. The spacious loading area can accommodate a variety of items, including tools and materials for work, as well as leisure equipment for camping, fishing, and other activities.
The cabin is also spacious, with enough space for five adults to sit comfortably, making it comfortable even on long drives. Furthermore, there are a variety of seating arrangements, allowing for flexible adjustments depending on the amount of luggage and number of people.
3. Attractive price and easy to get!
The Hilux Champ offers high performance and practicality at a very reasonable price. Prices in Thailand start from approximately 1.95 million yen, which is a significantly lower price range than pickup trucks in the same class.
This pricing can be said to reflect the IMV project’s philosophy of “high-quality cars at affordable prices.”
Toyota’s new “Hilux Champ” exterior
The exterior features a Land Cruiser-inspired face, flat windshield, black steely finish, halogen headlights (LEDs are optional), and extensive plastic cladding, all of which are key to the price point. It’s available in short- and long-wheelbase forms with either a drop-side bed or a flat deck. The shortest model is 4,970mm long, while the longer version stretches to 5,300mm.
Toyota’s new “Hilux Champ” interior
All Toyota Hilux Champ versions in Thailand feature a single-cab design, two doors, and a two-seater cabin. The interior is just as basic as the exterior, with orange accents that make the black plastic more visible. There’s no infotainment display or multimedia system of any kind, so the driver’s only source of information is the instrument cluster. The only visible features on the example pictured are a fan (no fancy air conditioning or climate control), two cupholders, a power outlet, electric windows, and a few storage compartments.
Hilux Champ variations
The Hilux Champ is available in the following variants:
- Short wheelbase
- Long wheelbase
- Engines : 2.0L gasoline, 2.7L gasoline, 2.4L diesel
- Transmission : 5-speed manual, 6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic
You can choose from a variety of combinations to suit your needs.
Is there a possibility of a release in Japan?
As for the release in Japan, there has been no official announcement as of yet. However, there are many voices on social media saying, “I want it to be released in Japan too!” and expectations are high.
Although SUVs have become increasingly popular in the Japanese market in recent years, demand for pickup trucks has also been steadily increasing. Pickup trucks with high off-road capabilities and load capacity are particularly attracting attention, especially from users who enjoy outdoor leisure activities.
With its reasonable price and high practicality, the Hilux Champ has a good chance of being well received by Japanese users. If it is introduced in Japan, it may create a new sensation in the SUV market.
People eagerly await the release of the Hilux Champ in Japan
On social media, many people are expressing their eagerness for the Hilux Champ to be released in Japan.
- “Simple and cool! I hope it’s released in Japan too!”
- “This performance at this price is amazing! I’m sure it will sell!”
- “Perfect for camping and fishing! The cargo area is spacious and looks easy to use!”
This shows how high expectations are.
Toyota’s new “Hilux Champ” exterior
The exterior features a Land Cruiser-inspired face, flat windshield, black steely finish, halogen headlights (LEDs are optional), and extensive plastic cladding, all of which are key to the price point. It’s available in short- and long-wheelbase forms with either a drop-side bed or a flat deck. The shortest model is 4,970mm long, while the longer version stretches to 5,300mm.
Toyota’s new “Hilux Champ” interior
All Toyota Hilux Champ versions in Thailand feature a single-cab design, two doors, and a two-seater cabin. The interior is just as basic as the exterior, with orange accents that make the black plastic more visible. There’s no infotainment display or multimedia system of any kind, so the driver’s only source of information is the instrument cluster. The only visible features on the example pictured are a fan (no fancy air conditioning or climate control), two cupholders, a power outlet, electric windows, and a few storage compartments.
Toyota’s new Hilux Champ Thai mass-produced model (2.4L diesel engine, long wheelbase, with deck) specifications
| Specifications | Hilux Champ |
|---|---|
| full length | 5,300mm |
| Overall width | 1,785mm |
| Overall height | 1,735mm |
| Wheelbase | 3,085mm |
| engine | 2.4L diesel engine |
| Maximum power | 148hp (110kW/150PS) |
| Maximum torque | 343Nm |
| Drive system | 2WD |
| gross vehicle weight | 2,790 kg |
| Minimum turning radius | 5.4m |
| Maximum load capacity | 1,000kg |
| crew | 2 people |
| transmission | 5MT, 6AT |
A word from the editorial department
This time, we explained the new Toyota Hilux Champ, its features and appeal, and the possibility of it being released in Japan.
The Hilux Champ is an attractive pickup truck that combines tough off-road capability with high practicality. Its reasonable price is also a major attraction.
Although there has been no official announcement of its release in Japan yet, there has been a lot of excitement on social media. If it is introduced in Japan, it will undoubtedly be welcomed by many users. Let’s keep an eye on future developments.
Toyota News Release
