Yes, what you’re seeing here is the next-generation Toyota Tamaraw. Though the cab section of the vehicle is draped in heavy camouflage, there’s no denying that underneath that cover, this is the light commercial vehicle (LCV) that Toyota Motor Philippines promised last year during the brand’s 35th anniversary in the Philippines will be making a comeback in 2024.
Initially teased as the next-generation Tamaraw concept and previewed as the IMV 0 in late 2022, the final production model made its official debut in November 2023 in Thailand as the Hilux Champ. With a pre-production prototype being spotted by one of our readers, Christian De Ramos, roaming around Toyota Motor Philippines’s (TMP) home turf in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, it only means that its imminent launch is going to happen sooner rather than later.
What’s also worth noting here is that the next-generation Toyota Tamaraw will be locally produced at Sta. Rosa, Laguna. It’s the perfect vehicle to be locally assembled as this pickup rides on the most basic form of the IMV platform that they’ve been using for the longest time in the Fortuner, Hilux, and the locally-produced Innova (not the Zenix that features the TNGA-C platform).
If you’re curious about engines, there are three choices globally, two of which are gasoline and one is diesel. Starting with the gasoline engines, the 2.0-liter version produces 139 horses and 183 Nm, while a bigger 2.7-liter gasoline produces 166 horses and 245 Nm of torque. Finally, the sole diesel option is a 2.4-liter turbo unit which produces 150 hp and 343 Nm if you get the five-speed manual or 400 Nm if you get the six-speed automatic.
The next-generation Toyota Tamaraw serves as an answer to an increasing need for an LCV that’s modern but very affordable and easy to work with due to its simplicity. By using the IMV platform as well as the engines that have accompanied this platform in the Innova, Fortuner, and Hilux, ease of maintenance will be a major selling point of this vehicle.
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