The Toyota HiLux Champ, the company’s new low-cost ute, has made its debut in Thailand where it will be built.
Prices in Thailand start at 459,000 baht ($19,800) and go through to 577,000 baht ($25,900). Availability outside of Thailand has yet to be confirmed, but sales throughout South-East Asia seem to be assured.
For reference, the cheapest member of the full-fat HiLux range — a two-door standard cab diesel with six-speed manual — is 564,000 baht ($24,300) in Thailand.
The HiLux Champ is available in both standard wheelbase (2750mm) and long wheelbase (3085mm) forms. With a factory-fit tray the standard wheelbase model is 4970mm long, while the long wheelbase version measures 5300mm from end-to-end.
Width for all models is 1785mm, while height is 1735mm.
The tray for the standard wheelbase Champ is 2312mm long, while the long wheelbase’s tray is 2647mm. Both of the factory-fit trays have a rear and sides that fold down completely.
Given it shares its wheelbase options with the regular HiLux, and is only a little narrower, Toyota has employed various forms of cost-cutting to get the Champ’s price down.
This includes the exterior, which is minimally styled, and includes a black grille, bumpers, mirrors and door handles. At launch there are just four paint options available: white, off white, metallic grey, and metallic silver. The Champ is only available with a single-cab body with two seats.
Standard features include halogen headlights, manual window winders, vinyl seats, a fixed passenger’s seat, and two speakers, although there doesn’t seem to be an audio head unit included. The instrumentation panel only has a speedometer and warning lights.
Higher-spec models come with electric windows and mirrors, a cover for the centre console bin, orange trim for the dashboard and doors, slide and recline functions for the passenger’s seat, and LED headlights.
Official accessories include black alloy wheels, fog lights, red Toyota lettering, and other cosmetic features.
Standard safety features items extend to driver and passenger airbags, ABS, EBD, seat belt pretensioners, and side intrusion beams.
HiLux Champ buyers have three engine options to choose from, including two petrol motors: a 102kW/183Nm 2.0-litre, and a 122kW/245Nm 2.7-litre.
There’s also a 2.4-litre turbo-diesel that makes 110kW at 3400rpm, and 400Nm between 1600 and 2000rpm.
The 2.0-litre petrol is only available with a five-speed manual, but the 2.7-litre petrol and 2.4-litre turbo-diesel can also be had with a six-speed automatic. The HiLux Champ is only available with rear-wheel drive.
All models come with 14-inch steel wheels paired with 195mm wide tyres, as well as rack and pinion power steering. There are ventilated disc brakes at the front, and drums at the rear.
At the front there’s a double wishbone suspension setup with coil springs and a stabiliser bar, while the rear has leaf springs.
As previewed by the IMV 0 and Rangga concepts, the HiLux Champ has a highly customisable rear, with the automaker displaying van, camper, food truck, and pop-up stall conversions.
MORE: Everything Toyota HiLux
