[BoxBox]

This is surely coming to India. Toyota would even work overtime to get this - and do not be surprised if it gets a waiting period of 6 months

What is with all the quality work disappearing everywhere? - not only in terms of auto design but even in terms of the kind of music you hear these days. Nothing that you hear or see nowadays can be called an everlasting masterpiece (both in terms of music and auto designs)!

[The_Apex]

That's outrageously outlandish.

What is happening to the designers now a days.

If the side B and C panels be cut out horizontally may be it would be a food truck with cramped height and superimposed armored vehicle silhouette.

[SR5471]

This is a nice looking car when compared to the Cybertruck. Each panel seems to be lifted from different vehicles to make a Chimera.

[Game_of_Roads]

Looks like the uninterested designers did something till the B-pillar, albeit quirky, but then gave up completely and just installed a porta potty
horizontally (plastic public toilet unit) and left

[romeomidhun]

Originally Posted by GTO

Here are two more of this abomination from GaadiWaadi.com

Such an eyesore from such a reputed brand! Had it been from some local mechanic body shops, we can understand. I still can't believe this design came from Toyota, that too, at this age of automobiles!

[FlankerFury]

Originally Posted by romeomidhun

Such an eyesore from such a reputed brand! Had it been from some local mechanic body shops, we can understand. I still can't believe this design came from Toyota, that too, at this age of automobiles!

It IS a local body shop mod. The rear cab is built by a firm called New Armada, they make bodies for buses in Indonesia.

https://newarmada.co.id/

The final product is sold by Toyota though.

One of New Armada's products


The Hilux Champ chassis for reference

[romeomidhun]

Originally Posted by FlankerFury

It IS a local body shop mod. The rear cab is built by a firm called New Armada, they make bodies for buses in Indonesia.

Thanks for the information. Still a surprise to me that a giant like Toyota had to rely these kind of body shops for such a horrible integration, only to tarnish their image.

[sandeepmdas]

Originally Posted by GS2323

Even if a car is designed to be cheap, why does it have to look so...

The Suzuki Alto K10 was cheap, but no one would call it ugly.

Originally Posted by FlankerFury

The final product is sold by Toyota though.

The Hilux Champ chassis for reference
Attachment 2703395

Looks like the Champ is purpose-built for increasing the aerodynamic drag to the max. Brick-like design in addition to the weird B-pillar windows inset. It would be fun watching this vehicle cuts through at 60+ in a rainy day.

Cannot understand the Toyota thought process ref this project. Really .

[DicKy]

Originally Posted by SithDefender

Attachment 2702299
Sorry couldn't resist this !
For non Malayalam speakers, Ranga is the character infamously portrayed in Aavesham this year !

Originally Posted by Beerus

I will not be surprised if this comes to India as QUALIS!

Most would vehemently disagree, but personally would like to see this launched in India There is a huge gap under 15 lakhs that is currently filled by the Bolero family.

BTW, Rangannan's favourite car is the pacha Kolis (green Qualis). So much that his Benz is parked at home permanently.

Originally Posted by romeomidhun

Thanks for the information. Still a surprise to me that a giant like Toyota had to rely these kind of body shops for such a horrible integration, only to tarnish their image.

Going back to the Kijang roots I guess. The first few generations of the Kijang were super basic and depended on aftermarket body builders for the wagon versions. The Qualis that we got was actually the first Kijang to get a proper full steel body, but even that was made by body builders selected by Toyota.

The Hilux Champ was conceptualised and launched as a modular platform for end users to customise. The whole design of the vehicle, including the interiors is done to facilitate it. So looks/styling takes a backseat and useable design/ease of modification takes precedence.

BTW. Yes. The Innova Crysta is on the same IMV platform, but the Hilux Champ/Rangga shares more with the 2WD Hilux than the Innova Crysta including the rear leaf spring suspension.

[FlankerFury]

Originally Posted by romeomidhun

Thanks for the information. Still a surprise to me that a giant like Toyota had to rely these kind of body shops for such a horrible integration, only to tarnish their image.

Originally Posted by sandeepmdas

Cannot understand the Toyota thought process ref this project. Really .

In fact, it has come full circle now. Earlier generations of the Kijang were built exclusively as pickups, with the passenger cabs constructed by local body shops.




With the Innova moving to a unibody construction with the Hycross, Toyota no longer had a rugged, body-on-frame, low-cost people mover. That's where the Rangga would fit in.
___

The Indonesian market has a strong preference for MPVs for cultural and regulatory reasons. The Indonesian government imposes heavy taxes on sedans and 4x4 trucks while pickup trucks and minibuses were exempt from it, thus the market for MPVs there is quite large.

Fun fact, the Kia Sonet has a 7 seater variant on sale in Indonesia

[arjab]

I have this weird foreboding that if Toyota launches this "thing" in India, it will actually sell in good numbers.

It seems to be having the basics to attract the Indian "single commercial vehicle owner" in droves. Because it:
- Looks suitably aesthetically challenged. Heck, even erstwhile Qualis & ICML Rhino owners may get attracted to this new beauty on the block
- Will have three row seating (school pool car operator market and this is huge, particularly in rural areas where you can still see centuries old Qualis's, Sumo's, Tavera's, Spacio's running).
- Definitely this contraption will carry an Innova 2.4 diesel. One can assume safely it'll be detuned, torque curve tweaked, possibly shorter first three gear ratios to haul greater loads with 4th & 5th overdriven. The detune will ensure every powertrain of this "thing" is capable of racking up inter-galactic mileages - without breakdown.
- The flat body panels, glass etc will ensure simplicity & ease of bodywork repairs in case of prangs, dings & dents.
- Karol Bagh accessories market will go bonkers tarting up this vehicle, inside & out. Again the flat body panels will be the accessories artists canvas for this muse.
- Rear wheel drive, leaf sprung rear (looks like), suspension will take a lot of abuse & support overloading.
- As per Indian homologation norms, it'll have the basics: twin airbags, safety belts, ABS, EBD & ESP, reverse parking sensors et al.
- Toyota will offer hideously chromed garnishes as "stick-on" accessories, maybe even as part of standard equipment & potential customers will drool all over it.
- Garnish it further with a 5 year, unlimited kilometres warranty
- And if TKML decides to sell "1-ton pickup" and "cowl-chassis" & a "driveaway cab version" of this then M&M's Bolero Pikup , AL's Dost, Tata Yodha, TML Super Ace etc will have serious competition lurking around their lair!

Who knows, maybe Toyota is onto something. Only time will tell. Let's wait & watch.

[SnakemanJohny]

Originally Posted by download2live

Reminded me of FJ Cruiser. Too bad they discontinued it. It was going to be my mid-life crisis purchase.
Attachment 2702845

I too thought of the FJ the moment I saw the first pic !

Would not really mind "this abomination" if it were a real SUV (4WD) -- the FJ also looked odd when it first went to USA. Now I believe it has a very high resale price there, and they are thinking of a reincarnation.
The Qualis was obsolete before it came to India, but it was still very popular. The RANGGA might be a more affordable Toyota if it ever came to India, at least it looks outlandishly futuristic ! More than the current Jimny.
They may call it Ranga or Don or Pushpa or KGF for all I care ! It should not have a sunroof.

[Daigo T]

OMG . The pics you have posted are somewhat flattering. I have seen some other pictures and it hurts my eye . I don't like this new design language