First look: JMC Vigus

JMC Philippines has showcased its pickup truck lineup during an exclusive off-road event in Batangas.

There, Zigwheels Philippines was able to test out the two nameplates that would serve as the Astara-led brand’s flagship models in the country.

Here’s our first look at one of JMC Philippines’ offerings — the Vigus.

Practical, functional

The JMC Vigus is a pickup truck that boasts a simple and straightforward design with a clean, minimalist appeal.

At its front is a pair of striking headlamps and a grille adorned with blacked-out horizontal bars. Its side profile is highlighted by body-colored side mirrors with black accents and turn signals, black trims on the window surrounds, and black door handles. Its rear wears chrome JMC branding and the Vigus nameplate proudly.

Inside the JMC Vigus is a similarly elementary interior. Nevertheless, it has the necessities available for the driver and its passengers.

The JMC Vigus gets a decent steering wheel with an easy-to-read instrument cluster. It’s also fitted with comfortable seats and a relatively cool air conditioning system to give the occupants a pleasant experience inside the cabin.

Overall, the JMC Vigus looks like a reliable and dependable pickup truck, which befits its purpose as the vehicle is touted as a solution that would answer the needs of fleet owners and operators.

The JMC Vigus — the carmaker noted — is “the brand’s versatile and fuel-efficient pickup suited for business fleet solutions.”

Able workhorse

One of the features that make the JMC Vigus an able workhorse is its beefy engine.

Under its hood is a 2.5-liter turbo diesel engine, mated to a manual transmission — at least the one we drove on the “mild” track during the off-road-themed event where the pickup trucks were showcased.

Power delivery was satisfactory with more than enough “oomph” available, especially on lower gears. Shifting was smooth and allowed for better control of the vehicle, which will prove to be useful when hauling cargo.

Speaking of which, the suspension on the JMC Vigus felt stiff. We reckon that the said rigidity would allow the pickup truck to carry heavy loads and that the ride would feel more comfortable once substantial goods and merchandise are placed on the bed.

Braking is also commendable as we were able to satisfactorily put the JMC Vigus to a halt in various diving situations.

Pricing

The pricing of the JMC Vigus ranges from P1 million-P1.11 million.

“JMC’s experiential drive in Batangas is more than just a test drive with our partners. It is a testament to our pursuit of elevating the driving and ownership experience as we officially unveil these game-changing pickups. The Grand Avenue and Vigus exemplify the JMC difference, exceeding expectations with their high-end features and performance on the road... Gearing up for JMC’s official launch in the Philippines, we are thrilled to explore greater paths with our new customers,” JMC Brand Head Arlan Reyes stated.

Photos from Juan Paulo Papa

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