During the celebrations for Toyota’s 60th anniversary in Thailand, the automaker showcased a mysterious pickup alongside the Hilux Revo BEV concept. The IMV 0 concept, focused on affordability and modularity, previews a global production model that is “over a year away” according to Toyota’s president.
Speaking about the IMV 0, Akio Toyoda said: “I truly believe this is a product that can enhance the quality of life for many people and provide new economic opportunities”. He described the upcoming pickup as an “innovative” product that is “designed to support economic growth and mobility for all”. He also revealed that the design team behind the concept “spent many months in the field, observing the lifestyles and needs of potential owners” in order to come up with this result.
Read: Toyota Hilux H2 Prototype Is Getting A Mirai-Sourced FCEV Powertrain
The exterior design of the IMV 0 has some similarities with the Urban Cruiser EV concept – especially at the front. There is a lot of unpainted plastic on the modern-styled bumper and upper trim which encloses the LED headlights and the grille. Other highlights include the bulged fenders, the handles on the bonnet, the numerous mounting points, the modular roof rails, and the black trim around the doors contrasting with the white bodywork.
At the back, the rear bed is very long compared to the single-cab body, looking ready to host any kind of attachment and featuring integrated steps. We guess that Toyota could offer variations of the pickup suiting the different needs of professionals. The blacked-out windows show that this is probably a static prototype, although the overall design doesn’t look that far from production judging from budget-friendly features including the small-diameter alloy wheels and the conventional mirrors.
The concept’s IMV 0 name is most likely a reference to Toyota’s IMV (Innovative International Multi-purpose Vehicle) ladder-frame architecture that was introduced back in 2004. This platform underpins several production vehicles including the Hilux pickup, the Fortuner SUV, and the Innova MPV, so an improved version could be used for this new model.
The company didn’t reveal the powertrain type of the IMV 0 but the intakes at the front and Akio Toyoda’s comments suggest it is not an EV. The president of Toyota spoke again about his beliefs on BEVs which “are not the only way to achieve the world’s carbon neutrality goals”. In line with Toyota’s strategy, he mentioned “emission-free synthetic fuels and hydrogen” as alternative options that will be pursued alongside BEVs in the future. Thus, there is a high chance a combustion engine is hiding under the short bonnet of the IMV 0, allowing it to be better suited to markets like Thailand.
We will learn more about the upcoming production version of the Toyota IMV 0 in the near future, as a possible 2024 market launch means development is well underway. Until then, check out the few photos from the 60th-anniversary event of Toyota Motors Thailand held in Bangkok.
