MIAS 2024: JMC Grand Avenue, Vigus pickups make PH debut

It’s official, Astara Philippines has entered the pickup truck market after the company launched its newest brand in the country, JMC. First previewed a couple of weeks ago, JMC Philippines has revealed the full specifications, variants, and prices of its pickup trucks.

First is the 2024 Grand Avenue which comes with a 2.3-liter turbo-diesel inline-four. The engine is based on the Puma engine and generates 177 PS with 450 Nm of torque. The Grand Avenue is available in 4x2 and 4x4 guises and is paired with either an 8-speed automatic transmission or a 6-speed manual. 4x4 models come with a BorgWarner 4WD system for added traction off the beaten path.

Size-wise, the Grand Avenue measures 5450mm long, 1935mm wide, 1872mm tall, and has a 3270mm wheelbase. Meanwhile, the bed itself has a cargo volume of 1.35 cubic meters which JMC claims is the biggest in its class.

Open the doors and the Grand Avenue greets occupants into a modern-looking cabin complete with plenty of amenities. For starters, it's available with a 10-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, high-quality leather seats, keyless entry with push-button start, automatic climate control, a host of USB charging ports, paddle shifters, and power-adjustable front seats. Higher-grade models will even come with a front center armrest and contrast stitching in the cabin.

Available colors for the JMC Grand Avenue include; Cosmic Gray, Pearl White, Silver Sand Black, Sandy Brown, and Shining Silver.

Up next is the Vigus which will slot below the Grand Avenue. It's powered by a 2.5-liter turbo-diesel engine that makes 130 PS at 3600 rpm along with 315 Nm of torque at 1800 – 2600 rpm. Power is then transferred to a 5-speed manual gearbox. Depending on the variant, it can be had with a 4x2 or 4x4 drivetrain.

In terms of size, the Vigus measures 5301mm long, 1905mm wide, 1782mm tall, and has a 3085mm wheelbase. Unlike the Grand Avenue, the Vigus is positioned to be aimed at business owners, individuals, and families looking for the best value for money when it comes to a workhorse truck.

Despite being more utilitarian, the Vigus comes with amenities like air-conditioning, fabric seats, a multi-info display, rear parking sensors, and many more features.

Pricing of the 2024 JMC Grand Avenue and Vigus are as follows:

Grand Avenue 4x2 MT - PHP 1.221M

Grand Avenue 4x4 MT - PHP 1.364M

Grand Avenue 4x2 AT - PHP 1.426M

Grand Avenue 4x4 AT - PHP 1.569M

Vigus 4x2 MT - PHP 959,000

Vigus 4x4 MT - PHP 1.110M