MBABANE – JMC’s reimagined Vigus bakkie is set to make its South African return this November, with the single cab model priced from R300 000, placing it as the fifth cheapest bakkie in the country after three variants of the locally produced Mahindra Pik Up and the Mahindra Bolero.
Salvador Caetano Auto South Africa, the official importer, confirmed that the Vigus launch will begin with the single cab, with the double cab and the more upmarket, American-inspired Grand Avenue model to follow in 2026. The Vigus is based on the Yuhu 9, which has been on sale in China since 2019.
The single cab will be powered by a 2.4-litre turbodiesel engine sourced from alliance partner Ford. The engine, similar to the Puma unit that once powered the Land Rover Defender, has been retuned to produce 103kW and 310Nm, compared with 90kW and 360Nm of the previous unit. The Defender’s six-speed manual gearbox has been replaced by a five-speed box, with drive likely directed to the rear wheels only. Full details on payload, dimensions, and specifications have not yet been released.
The Vigus is claimed to outperform its direct rivals while offering solid towing capability, fuel efficiency, and mechanical simplicity. Salvador Caetano South Africa Managing Director Leslie Ramsoomar said the partnership with JMC aligns with the company’s vision of bringing trusted, high-performance mobility solutions to the market, adding that the brand shares their commitment to reliability, innovation, and customer-focused service.
Exact specifications will be confirmed when sales commence in November.
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