SYDNEY: Chinese Jiangling Motors Corporation (JMC) has announced to arrive in Australia with its first-ever model.
JMC’s first-up effort – the Vigus dual-cab – joins the ever-expanding range of affordable pickups with prices starting from $23,990 drive-away.
That amount buys you the entry-level rear-wheel-drive petrol model, while a diesel engine and four-wheel-drive models are also available along with two trim levels – LX or SLX.
Topping the Vigus range is the SLX 4WD diesel at $31,990 drive-away.
Pricing is on-par with the other ‘cheepie’ utes on the Australian market, including the Foton Tunland, Tata Xenon and the Mahindra Pik-Up.
The petrol engine is the familiar Mitsubishi-sourced 2.4 litre four-cylinder unit producing 100kW and 200Nm.
This engine can also be found in rival Chinese pickup, the Great Wall V240, along with the Foton K1 van and people-mover (scheduled to arrive in Australia soon) and the current Mitsubishi Triton range (soon to be replaced by a new model).
The Ford-sourced diesel engine has the same 2.4 litre capacity as the petrol unit, but produces 90kW and 290Nm. A five-speed manual is the only transmission option with either engine.
Fuel figures for the petrol engine are 10.6 l/100km and 12.0 l/100km for the 2WD and 4WD models respectively, while the diesel engine in the same models uses 9.0 and 9.1 l/100km.
LX variants offer standard air conditioning, power windows, 15-inch alloy wheels and a CD audio system with USB input, along with front and rear fog-lights.
SLX models add 16-inch alloys, a DVD player, satellite navigation, steering wheel-mounted controls and faux leather interior trim.
Standard safety features include ABS, rear parking sensors and electronic brake-force distribution along with driver and passenger airbags. Electronic stability control is not offered at this stage, and the centre-rear passenger only gets a lap seatbelt.
As a workhorse, the Vigus has a towing capacity of two tonnes braked or 750kg unbraked, while the 4WD model offers 224mm of ground clearance for off-roading.
The 2015 JMC Vigus comes with a three-year, 100,000km warranty, three years capped-price servicing and three years roadside assistance.
A sole Sydney dealership will sell the Vigus in the beginning, with more dealers expected to join the fray in the future.
A seven-seat JMC SUV sitting on the Vigus’ platform is scheduled to arrive in Australia in 2016, along with a single-cab pickup. The availability of ESC and automatic transmissions in some models will follow.
Local distribution will be handled by Jiangxi Jiangling Motors Import and Export Corporation.
