Toyota IMV 0 concept hints at new Hilux

While Nissan's latest batch of concepts has us wondering what exactly they're smoking at the company's Atsugi headquarters in Japan, Toyota takes a far more pragmatic approach to its concepts – the latest is called the IMV 0. It's thought to preview the new Hilux.

Toyota's already shown an appetite to tap into its (substantial) heritage with the new Land Cruiser, a car whose rugged shape and retro grille have plenty of cues to the original FJ40 Land Cruiser, and the IMV 0 features more of the same.

Unlike the Land Cruiser, though, the IMV 0 is pitched primarily as a working truck, and its paired-back design means it'll be relatively easy to modify for roles. 

Handily, Toyota has provided plenty of ideas of how the IMV 0 could be modified – including as a serious off-roader with balloon tyres, a winch and a lift kit, or a tuned truck for the style-conscious blue-collar worker.

An overlander camper with a raised roof and impressively large windows is another option (let's hope the air con's effective), which means NHS fleet buyers couldn't fail to be impressed by the all-terrain ambulance. 

Toyota also caters for event organisers, with the IMV 0 seen as a mobile fairground attraction and as a cafe on wheels – you can almost hear the nation's Citroen H vans let out a collective sigh of relief.

Actual details on the IMV 0's mechanicals are harder to come by; Toyota only confirms it is a two-seater that's 5,300mm long, 1,785mm wide, 1,740mm tall and has a 3,085mm wheelbase. 

However, you can be sure Toyota would offer the finished machine with a range of relatively simple to maintain and tough petrol or diesel engines and four-wheel drive.