New player in LCV market

Dual-cab pick-ups are all the rage in Australia, and a new brand has arrived here, providing a further alternative to offerings from Great Wall and Foton already established in the market.

As we reported last year, the Chinese company, named JMC, sells just one product, the Vigus dual-cab LCV through a sole dealer in the Sydney suburb of Croydon, on Parramatta Road.

Pricing for the Vigus starts from $23,990 for the 4x2 LX model and includes on-road costs. Equipment fitted as standard at the entry-level includes electric windows/mirrors, CD audio system, reverse parking sensors, remote central locking and auto-locking doors. The Vigus comes with a three-year/100,000km warranty including 24-hour roadside assistance.

A higher-grade model, the Vigus SLX, is also available in 4x2 petrol form, priced at $26,990, which is also inclusive of on-road costs. Standard features additional to the LX specification comprise a DVD player, electro-chromatic mirror, imitation leather upholstery and multi-function steering wheel.

Also priced at $26,990 driveaway is the most affordable 4x4 variant, a petrol model trimmed to LX specification. In addition to the 4x2 LX, the 4x4 LX gains wheel arch flares and side steps.

Another variant priced at $26,990 driveaway is the 4x2 LX diesel, with the same standard features as the petrol-engined base model. Rising to $28,990 is the diesel 4x2 Vigus in SLX specification. A thousand dollars more ($29,990) will put buyers in the Vigus 4x4 LX diesel, and the range tops out at $31,990 for the Vigus 4x4 SLX diesel.

The 2.4-litre Mitsubishi 4G69S4N four-cylinder produces 100kW and 200Nm, for combined-cycle fuel consumption ranging from 10.6 to 12L/100km (4x2 and 4x4, respectively). Also displacing 2.4 litres, the JX4D24 diesel is rated at 90kW and 290Nm, with official fuel consumption figures of 9.0L/100km (4x2) and 9.2L/100km (4x4). Both engines drive through a five-speed manual transmission.