Toyota has revealed fresh versions of its new boxy workhorse bakkie concept, which interestingly shares its wheelbase with the current-generation Hilux…

At the end of 2022, Toyota revealed the IMV 0 Concept in Thailand, before showing off a few interesting applications of this flexible bakkie concept – since christened “Rangga” in that country – in August 2023. Now, ahead of a display at the Japan Mobility Show 2023, further fresh iterations have been unwrapped.

In addition, though the Japanese automaker has released very little official technical information on the IMV 0 Concept, it has at least finally confirmed the boxy ladder-frame bakkie’s dimensions. Fascinatingly, its wheelbase is listed as 3085 mm, precisely the same distance between the axles of the current-generation Hilux. So, the newcomer is not nearly as compact as previously thought…

The concept measures 5300 mm from nose to tail, which is 30 mm longer than a single-cab Hilux but 25 mm shorter than extended- and double-cab versions of Toyota’s strong-selling bakkie. The IMV 0 Concept is 1785 mm wide (a mite narrower than a standard Hilux) and stands 1740 mm tall. Still no word on payload capacity or engine options, though.

Billed as a “mobility solution that works with users to fulfil their vision”, the IMV 0 Concept is listed as a 2-seater vehicle and shown mostly in single-cab form. However, perhaps the most interesting iteration features an extended-cab body style, along with a raft of overlanding kit (from a front-mounted winch and an LED bar to chunky all-terrain tyres and a roof-mounted storage system.

Toyota says the IMV 0 Concept “supports future mobility lifestyles by offering the potential for further customisation, from business to leisure applications”. In short, customisable parts can be bolted onto the bakkie’s deck section, allowing the vehicle to be set up for various applications.

While potential conversion applications for the Rangga concept shown at the Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show 2023 included a mobile café, an ambulance, a mobile EV charging service and even a pace car, images released ahead of the Japanese display show the concept as a single-cab workhorse, a motorhome, a Red Cross disaster-relief vehicle and the aforementioned overlander.

It’s not yet clear exactly when the IMV 0 Concept/Rangga will reach production, though some reports suggest it could be as early as 2024, with an initial market launch likely to take place in Thailand before the vehicle rolls out to other emerging markets, such as Indonesia.

Whether or not such a model is on the cards for South Africa remains to be seen, but it’s worth keeping in mind that earlier in 2023, as reported byIOL Motoring, Toyota SA Motors executives hinted at an upcoming model that could slot in below the Hilux and likely be built at the same factory in KwaZulu-Natal. Considering the IMV 0 Concept seemingly shares its underpinnings with the current-gen Hilux (and Fortuner), could that mean local production is on the horizon?

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