After months of teasers and previews, the Toyota Tamaraw finally made its local debut in December 2024. While we’re glad it’s made its premiere, there is one body style that commenters seem to have been clamoring for.
We are, of course, talking about the wagon type body like the one sold in the early to mid-‘90s. And while the pickup and UV-style bodies stick to the roots of the original model from the ‘70s, there are those who’d like a three-row version of it.
OTHER STORIES YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED:
ANCAP gives all-new Toyota Prado five stars for safety
This EV-swapped R32 Nissan Skyline GT-R is guaranteed to anger purists
You may have seen stories that Toyota is looking into the possibility of offering the Tamaraw wagon/MPV down the line. But over in Indonesia, the case study is well underway.
A few months ago, Toyota presented the Hilux Rangga SUV Prototype during the 2024 Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS). Hilux Rangga is what the Tamaraw is called over there, and it’s an interesting body conversion from the company.
In essence, it’s a modern version of the Toyota Tamaraw FX wagon. The front clip is exactly that of the pickup and UV versions, but the rear end has been given a longer roof, an extra set of doors, and a tailgate, all while following the boxy theme of front half. We also noticed that it rides on leaf springs at the back.
Toyota Indonesia even showed a different kind of Rangga ‘wagon’ in the form of an animal rescue vehicle. It’s identical to the SUV concept, but sports a higher roof and a different rear window treatment.
For now, Toyota isn’t mentioning when (or more importantly, if) it will make five-door versions of its latest utility vehicle. Given that it rides on a revamped and modernized version of the current IMV platform dubbed IMV-0, it is possible. For now, though, we’ll have to wait for the company’s next move. Should it push through, it will be interesting to see how it will differentiate itself from the Innova.
