Generally, it’s good to be shocked. Permit us to preface this overview with a short journey again to our maiden expertise with a China-made pick-up truck, the GWM Wingle 5. In brief, it was abysmal. Journey was tough and the powertrain felt painfully torpid, however it was filth low-cost, with costs ranging from RM70k.
The Wingle 5 set the bar extremely low for a twin-cab China pick-up truck, so when Angka-Tan Motor (ATM) introduced that it was venturing into the business pick-up scene in Malaysia with the JMC Vigus Professional, nobody actually bat an eye fixed.
Preliminary public response wasn’t nice, too, with chief considerations being its comparatively excessive RM98,888 asking value, and the hasty dismissal of the JMC model being an unimaginative try at copying GMC. It’s brief for Jiangling Motors Company, by the best way, and its core enterprise has historically been manufacturing mild obligation vans.
Is it really worth for cash?
Sliding in at just under the six-figure mark, the Vigus Professional is presently essentially the most reasonably priced twin-cab 4×4 pick-up truck with an automated transmission within the nation. The closest mainstream rival could be the Ford Ranger 2.2 XL (AT) at RM103,888, adopted by the Mitsubishi Triton VGT (AT) at RM105,990. Cheaper options would both be bare-specced single cab fashions, or twin-cabs with a handbook transmission.
Up to now, just one variant of the Vigus Professional is on the market. Early adopters will probably be given a complimentary set of 17-inch dual-tone wheels wrapped with all-terrain tyres (as seen on our Regular Brown tester) – the usual mannequin rides on 16-inch hoops with common highway tyres.
However on the worth entrance, the Vigus Professional isn’t a right away catch. It’s lacking issues like LED headlights, keyless entry with push-start system, and LED mixture tail lights. Plus, the tailgate isn’t assisted, and the supporting hinges appear to be they got here straight off Mr DIY.
The fancier quad LED projectors and LED mixture tail lights aren’t supplied right here, and premium options such because the soft-touch dashboard with actual stitching, fake wooden trim, 12-inch digital instrument show, 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and the Porsche-esque centre console – mainly each purpose for why the Vigus Professional is the second best-selling pick-up truck in China – aren’t accessible both.
Both of these would enhance its attraction, however you would argue {that a} workhorse can do with out. Check out the Maxus T60, for instance. It comes with 19-inch wheels, has LED projector headlights with auto excessive beam, stainless-steel sports activities bar (fibreglass on the Vigus Professional), keyless entry with push-start ignition, black leather-based upholstery, powered seats, and a 10-inch infotainment system with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay assist as normal. Now that’s how new gamers ought to be specced.
So, is there something to shout about?
As a matter of reality, sure. Should you intend to get a pure twin-cab workhorse and might’t care much less in regards to the fancy facilities, the JMC ought to suffice. Beneath the bonnet lies the trusty 2.0 litre four-cylinder turbodiesel engine sourced from Ford.
In reality, the two.0 litre model of the Puma first made its debut within the second-generation Mondeo method again in 2000, so it’s fairly the traditional oil burner. Nonetheless, it makes 141 PS at 3,600 rpm and 340 Nm of torque from 1,500 to 2,600 rpm, which isn’t removed from Toyota Hilux 2.4L and Isuzu D-Max 1.9L’s outputs.
For the on a regular basis drive, the engine is sufficiently torquey and responsive at low to medium hundreds. It pulls strongly and has sufficient in reserve to simply maintain cruising speeds, plus it’s surprisingly refined as properly. Virtually pretty much as good as its Japanese rivals, if not higher.
The eight-speed ZF automated transmission (with an digital shifter!) is a superb pairing for the engine, offering silky clean gearshifts, although oddly gaggy within the first two gears. Upwards of drugs three, the ZF is as clean as anticipated, with excellent ratios which are geared for on a regular basis use. The flip of velocity is commendably brisk, too, which is a pleasant shock.
The part-time four-wheel drive system (provided by BorgWarner) will be switched on the fly, however that is capped at 40 km/h for the low vary 4L mode. JMC used Bosch’s Digital Stability Programme (ESP) module and an Eaton fully-lockable differential for optimum claw off-road, and the Vigus Professional additionally comes with hill descent management (beneath 8 km/h), helpful for informal off-roaders.
What about experience and dealing with?
Quite a bit higher than anticipated, actually. Damping qualities are near matching the 2018-2019 mannequin Hilux – agency, however not overly inflexible just like the Wingle 5. It doesn’t really feel prefer it rides on a primitive platform, and it’s relatively poised at velocity. It’s not too crashy over poor highway surfaces, nor too floaty whereas cruising. Simply regular.
The steering (hydraulic), nevertheless, is atrociously imprecise. There’s nothing in the best way of suggestions, so gauging grip ranges by really feel is out the window. Even the steering ratio feels iffy and poorly calibrated. Fortunately, that is the Vigus Professional’s worst trait within the driving division, so if that is unacceptable to you, then look elsewhere.
In comparison with its friends, the Vigus Professional has a shorter-than-average cargo mattress, and payload is barely 850 kg. We don’t think about this to be an issue for informal customers, however professionals, take be aware. ATM will probably be introducing equipment comparable to a cover, curler shutter and tie-down straps within the close to future as properly.
Are there every other compromises?
As talked about above, the inside is void of the good things. The nicest options you get could be the sporty leather-wrapped two-spoke steering with shift paddles, the digital gear shifter, a soft-opening glove field, and facet mirror heaters. Yeah, we actually tried.
The complete ground is roofed with vinyl (nice for cleansing, however appears and feels low-cost), and there’s ample use of onerous plastics. Match and end on the CKD truck is fairly good throughout, although there’s a slight metallic reverb when closing the doorways. Additionally, curiously, the motive force facet is lacking the seize deal with on the A-pillar, and there aren’t any self-importance lights and mirrors to be discovered.
The infotainment system can also be a serious letdown. The show has a milky end that may probably impede readability, however then once more, it’s a low decision unit with primary functionalities. There’s Bluetooth, no less than, and a dreadfully sluggish USB-A charging port. A four-speaker sound system is normal, however they sound about pretty much as good as these mono audio system put in in malls and automobile parks.
Extra thought might be put into the storage areas, although. In its present guise, there’s solely a single cubby gap alongside the centre console, and the stowage bin inside the centre armrest is simply too slim and shallow. Thankfully, the glove field and door pockets are decently sized, and each entrance seats include organisers on the again.
The rear quarters are… useful. There aren’t any rear air vents or charging ports, and it’s additionally lacking the rear defogger. Rear passenger seating is a little more upright as properly, which can induce fatigue on longer journeys. Properly, no less than you get three three-point seat belts and usable door pockets, plus the seats will be flipped up or right down to create extra loading area. The hydraulic jack and different instruments are beneath the bench.
When it comes to security options, it’s dismal. The Vigus Professional might be a decade behind, delivery with the naked minimal of two frontal airbags, ABS with EBD, in addition to entrance and rear parking sensors.
Verdict
As pick-up vans go, the JMC Vigus Professional leans extra on the facet of utility than way of life, regardless of being competent in areas pertaining to experience high quality and propulsion traits. Refinement can also be above common, and anticipate this to be barely higher with the 16 inchers and common highway tyre combo.
The equipment checklist leaves a lot to be desired, however these in search of a mechanically polished pick-up truck beneath RM100,000 can provide the Vigus Professional an actual consideration. We’re not followers of the essential cabin appointments, however objectively, as a bundle, it’s a respectable different workhorse.
For these , ATM is providing two complimentary choices to go along with your buy. Choice A is a free equipment bundle price RM9,350, which includes V-Kool safety movie, leather-based seat covers, a dashcam recorder, and mattress liner. Choice B is a money rebate of RM2,000 and free mattress liner price RM1,000. The sweetness is that you just get to choose, however this might be a restricted time provide.
Talking of decisions, there are simply 4 exterior colors accessible – Stable White, Good Silver, Shiny Black, and Regular Brown. A 3-year or 100,000 km guarantee (whichever comes first) is normal, which is the naked minimal within the section. Let’s simply hope ATM will introduce the full-spec mannequin sooner or later…
