Remember when Chery revealed the electric version of the Himla pickup truck earlier this year? Well, the automaker has just revealed the turbo-diesel version, and it looks ready to get to work.

This is the Chery Rely R08 Pro, and it's poised to give the likes of the GWM Cannon something to think about. Also sold under the Himla nameplate, the R08 Pro appears to have been inspired by a certain pickup truck from the Blue Oval. With its bold LED headlights, T-shaped LED daytime running lights, blacked-out grille, black alloy wheels, and clamshell-style hood, the R08 Pro looks to be a spitting image of the Ford Ranger.

The R08 Pro also comes with plenty of exterior features that make it fit for off-road use. These include a factory-installed snorkel, a heavy-duty black front bumper, a front skid plate to protect its chassis, metal side steps, flared wheel arches, and all-terrain tires.

The bed, meanwhile, comes with 36 integrated mounting points to secure cargo and can even support camping gear with ease. In case you need to get equipment in the back, the R08 Pro has integrated side steps on the corners to help owners get to the bed with ease.

Under the hood, the Rely R08 Pro is powered by a 2.3L turbo-diesel engine. It makes 420 Nm of torque, which is readily available as early as 1500 rpm, although no horsepower figures were revealed. Power is then sent to an 8-speed automatic transmission from ZF and is complemented by a part-time 4WD system courtesy of BorgWarner. It supports 2H (2WD -High), 4H (4WD-High), and 4L (4WD-Low) modes, complete with front & rear locking differentials.

Hop inside, and the Rely R08 features a futuristic-looking cabin that's dominated by a massive 15.6-inch touchscreen. It supports Apple CarPlay and Huawei's HiCar infotainment display and comes with over-the-air (OTA) updates. For added practicality, the touchscreen also has a 540-degree panoramic camera and a transparent chassis view for easier off-road driving. Speaking of going off-road, the R08 Pro has 230mm of ground clearance, an approach angle of 34 degrees, and 29 degrees of departure angle.

With the Rely R08 Pro now available in the PRC, could Chery Auto Philippines bring its new body-on-frame pickup truck to the country? And would it be able to compete in the highly competitive midsize pickup truck market?