JMC Vigus Pro 4×4 launched in Malaysia – pick-up truck with Ford 2.0 TDCi, ZF8 auto; CKD, RM98,888

JMC Vigus Pro 4×4 launched in Malaysia – pick-up truck with Ford 2.0 TDCi, ZF8 auto; CKD, RM98,888

The JMC Vigus Pro has been officially launched in Malaysia. You’ve previously seen the pick-up truck here via spyshots and a post introducing Angka-Tan Motor (ATM) as the distributor of JMC, which stands for Jiangling Motors Co. ATM is a subsidiary of Bursa-listed Warisan TC Holdings and part of the Tan Chong Group, while Nanchang-based JMC is said to be the sixth largest commercial vehicle brand in China.

The Vigus Pro – China’s second best-selling pick-up truck – enters a competitive local truck market that has the Toyota Hilux, Mitsubishi Triton, Isuzu D-Max, Ford Ranger and Nissan Navara. Many of these stalwarts have been recently refreshed, too.

As an upstart, JMC has to bring value to the table, and the single variant Vigus Pro is priced at RM98,888 on-the-road without insurance, with SST exemption. The East Malaysia price is RM100,888. ATM says that the Vigus Pro, which is CKD locally assembled at Tan Chong’s Serendah plant, is a “new value proposition among pick-up trucks sold in Malaysia” – let’s see what’s being offered for the money.

JMC Vigus Pro 4×4 launched in Malaysia – pick-up truck with Ford 2.0 TDCi, ZF8 auto; CKD, RM98,888

The Vigus Pro is powered by a 2.0 litre turbodiesel with a variable geometry turbocharger. It’s a Ford-sourced Euro 3 engine rated at 141 PS at 3,600 rpm and 340 Nm of torque from 1,500 to 2,600 rpm. Not to be confused with the current Ranger‘s EcoBlue Si-Turbo engine (180 PS/420 Nm), the JMC’s ‘Puma’ engine is a sister to the 2.2L TDCi (160 PS/385 Nm) used by the Ranger XL and XLT, but in a more road tax-friendly size.

Quoted fuel consumption is 7.8 litres per 100 km (12.8 km/l) in the UNECE R101 mode, which makes the Vigus Pro one of the most fuel efficient one-tonne pick-up trucks currently sold in Malaysia, ATM says.

The proven engine is mated to big name gearbox, an eight-speed torque converter automatic transmission by ZF. Yup, benchmark auto more commonly associated with premium brand sedans. The ZF box is controlled by an electronic gear selector and there’s manual mode plus steering shift paddles as well.

JMC Vigus Pro 4×4 launched in Malaysia – pick-up truck with Ford 2.0 TDCi, ZF8 auto; CKD, RM98,888

The name dropping doesn’t stop there. The Puma-ZF8 combo is combined with a BorgWarner 4WD system with a low-range transfer box (2H/4H/4L knob tucked below the AC panel), while an Eaton differential lock shuffles torque between the rear wheels for optimum traction. The Vigus Pro’s Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) module from is Bosch. It includes ABS, EBD, traction control, stability control, hill start assist and hill descent control for speeds below 8 km/h.

This Chinese truck is around the same size as the one-tonne trucks we’re familiar with. The 5,305 mm length is the same as a Mitsubishi Triton, and the 3,085 mm wheelbase matches the Hilux. Some might have guessed from the JMC’s wide mouth and chunky bumpers that it’s pretty wide – at 1,905 mm, the Vigus Pro is 35 mm wider than the latest D-Max, the widest of the current bunch. Ground clearance is 225 mm.

However, at 1,475 mm long and wide, the square bed is on the smaller side. Payload is 850 kg. Not the ultimate in cargo loading then, but not many trucks are used for load lugging these days.

JMC Vigus Pro 4×4 launched in Malaysia – pick-up truck with Ford 2.0 TDCi, ZF8 auto; CKD, RM98,888

The Vigus Pro is suspended by independent double wishbones in front and a rigid axle with leaf springs at the back. At each corner are ventilated disc brakes (front and rear) and 16-inch two-tone alloys wrapped with 265/70 Maxxis A/T tyres. Above those are huge square arches that are a big part of the truck’s look. Also unique to the square-cut design are prominent hooks on the outside of the bed. The sport bar (with integrated third brake light) is curiously skinny, though.

In terms of kit, the Vigus Pro gets automatic halogen projector “tiger eye” headlamps with manual levelling, C-shaped LED daytime running lamps that frame the fog lamps, rear fog lamps, power adjustable and auto folding side mirrors with LED repeaters and heaters, auto wipers, front and rear parking sensors, speed sensing auto door locking (25 km/h) and side steps.

Inside, analogue dials flank a non-colour multi-info display. The head unit is an 8.0-inch touchscreen with USB and Bluetooth connection, hooked up to four speakers and a reverse camera. The seats are fabric but the two-spoke flat bottom steering wheel is leather wrapped and comes with two spokes of buttons (audio and cruise control) and paddle shifters. Elsewhere, the JMC has manual air con, a manual hand brake and a traditional twist key.

Nothing much to shout about safety wise, as there are just two airbags and Isofix child seat mounts to accompany the ESP suite mentioned above. The Vigus Pro is available in four colours – Solid White, Brilliant Silver, Glossy Black and the signature Steady Brown. Steady, bro.

The truck comes with a three-year or 100,000 km warranty. It is available for viewing and test drives at 13 ATM dealerships nationwide (more coming soon), supplemented by 13 after-sales service workshops under the Tan Chong umbrella. Lastly, Vigus Pro buyers can opt for JMC Care insurance, which touts 18 benefits including expected ones such as free towing and PA coverage.

Customer deliveries will start later this month. Mayflower Car Rental, which is also part of the Tan Chong Group, is JMC’s first fleet customer with an initial order of 30 units. ATM is targeting sales of 350 units from now till the end of 2021, and the company has hinted at more models, plus entry into other ASEAN markets with JMC.

As a popular model in China and with off-the-shelf components from big name suppliers, reliability shouldn’t be a worry. The styling might not be to all tastes and the kit list isn’t very long, but at RM98,888, what do you think the JMC Vigus Pro as a value proposition versus the usual truck suspects?

Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.

10% discount when you renew your car insurance

Compare prices between different insurer providers and use the promo code 'PAULTAN10' when you make your payment to save the most on your car insurance renewal compared to other competing services.

Car Insurance

Danny Tan

Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.

 

Comments

  • Sangi kuthi 76 on Oct 13, 2021 at 10:26 am

    Amarok bin Ford kamarok

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 1
  • Sick&Tired on Oct 13, 2021 at 10:56 am

    Such a terrible looking pick up truck!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 23 Thumb down 11
  • Bieight8 on Oct 13, 2021 at 10:59 am

    No 6 airbags no buy

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 2
  • Anonymous on Oct 13, 2021 at 11:15 am

    I think Isuzu D-Max AT Plus 1.9 is a better buy 100,999 vs JMC Vigus Pro 98,888 in terms of reliability. Just my thoughts

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 34 Thumb down 4
  • Jom Global on Oct 13, 2021 at 11:23 am

    Ranger rival..

    Ranger engine JMC Jeep
    Even Ranger XLT 4WD 2 airbags RM117k also same engine quality/issue

    Save RM20k run Farming Business

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Casual reader on Oct 13, 2021 at 11:28 am

    At that prices? Hahahaha.
    Pay 2k more for DMax better.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 1
  • Lemon on Oct 13, 2021 at 12:04 pm

    Design looks cheap

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • chking on Oct 13, 2021 at 12:05 pm

    Well it can’t be as bad as 2012-2017 mitsu triton

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
  • Guest on Oct 13, 2021 at 1:02 pm

    In my opinion, Navara is better buy, basic spec, slight expensive but 5 years warranty and reliability

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 0
  • suomynona on Oct 13, 2021 at 2:11 pm

    This design is too much..Stevie Wonder already don’t like it.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • Anything under Tan Chong is always poorly spec. Tan Chong thinks it’s still the 90’s!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 0
  • Ranger Raptor on Oct 13, 2021 at 2:58 pm

    My dream truck, lol

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 3
  • Aiyoyo on Oct 13, 2021 at 3:00 pm

    Just a quick YouTube search and see for yourself. This is truly a ‘dumping ground vehicle’

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • why would any sane people buy this poor man expensive priced vigus.
    when u can get proper durable reliable 4×4 like dmax,triton etc at same price?

    old TC think msian stupid n old like them to buy this overpriced china crap?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 0
  • Ollie on Oct 13, 2021 at 4:39 pm

    2 minutes on Google will tell you JMC is partly owned by Ford and this is basically a value version of the Ford Ranger made in China. They failed in Australia now they try here. They should just focus on bulk discount for corporate fleet buyers. That’s all

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 2
  • joyce on Oct 14, 2021 at 12:55 am

    Fulamak! Ford, BorgWarne, ZF, Bosch all branded.
    Sekali tengok design dia…..Alamak!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • hazri on Oct 14, 2021 at 11:37 pm

    so that gearbox same with bmw gearbox?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Isuzuki on Oct 15, 2021 at 10:48 am

    Angka, what happened to the Cummins Savannah?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Stupid on Oct 18, 2021 at 5:11 pm

    Take the truck and bring the China girl to beach hantam lubang

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • paultan comment section in a nutshell:
    car: …

    car but japanese: WuuOOoAaAOOoUUuUuu!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

Add a comment

required

required