Registrations of interest at the moment are open for the hulking latest Foton Tunland V7 and V9 dual-cab 4×4 utes, which made their Australian debut in Melbourne on the weekend.
Nonetheless, they’ll arrive later than previously advised, with their launch now due within the third quarter of this yr (July-September).
Australian Foton distributer Inchcape, which also imports Subaru, Peugeot and Deepal vehicles Down Under, previously said each large electrified pickups would go on sale here in the primary half of this yr.
No latest local details about either latest ute has been revealed, but Foton says those that register via the Fotonaustralia.com.au website will receive early updates, launch details, and exclusive news on the V7 and V9.
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“The brand new Tunland is where Foton shows its strength,” said Foton Australia general manager Glen Cooper.
“Foton have taken the whole lot they learn about constructing hard-working trucks and packed it right into a ute that’s built for the way Australians live, work and explore. Backed by Inchcape’s customer-centricity and national distribution strength, Tunland is ready to make serious impact – daring, capable, and built to deliver.”
The Foton Tunland hasn’t been sold in Australia since 2019, when the unique model was discontinued because of emissions regulations.
The primary-generation Tunland was first imported here in 2011 by Gold Coast-based FAA Automotive, before distribution was taken over Ateco Automotive after which a factory-backed operation.
Foton Australia now says each latest Tunland V-series utes are “able to shake up the local ute scene” by offering “more strength, more capability, more presence”.
“Whether it’s heavy towing, off-road exploring, or weekday work, Tunland delivers,” says the corporate.
Full local specifications and pricing won’t be available until closer to launch, but Foton Australia has confirmed the second-generation Tunland range will likely be available in two variants.
The 2 latest dual-cabs are the identical under the skin, but they feature different exterior designs. The Tunland V7 is paying homage to a Ford F-150, while the Tunland V9 looks more like a Ram 1500.
Each of them will likely be powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel engine backed by a 48V mild-hybrid system, each will offer the benchmark 3500kg braked towing capability, and each will likely be available with 4×2 and 4×4 drivetrains, the latter in the shape of a BorgWarner selectable electronic 4WD system.
Nonetheless, while Foton describes the Tunland V7 as a practical, durable and no-nonsense workhorse because of its traditional leaf-sprung rear-end, it says the Tunland V7 “dials it up with coil-spring rear suspension for SUV-like comfort – the proper mix of brawn and refinement”.
In other right-hand drive markets where the Foton Tunland V7 and V9 are sold, reminiscent of South Africa, the 2 utes produce 120kW of power and 450Nm of torque (over 1800-2600rpm), and are available standard with an eight-speed ZF 8HP50 automatic transmission.
Inchcape has described the 2 Tunlands as full-size utes, but their dimensions position them between the Ford Ranger (which rides on a 3270mm wheelbase and measures 5225mm long) and the massive F-150 (3694/5884mm).
Each latest Tunland models share the identical 3355mm wheelbase, circa-5540mm overall length and 1905mm height.
Inside their tubs, there’s 1560mm of length, 1650mm of width and a height of 530mm, larger even than the dual-cab 4×4 Ranger XL’s (1547/1584/529mm).
Standard specifications in South Africa include 18-inch wheels with 265/70 all-terrain tyres, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, 14.6-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, sports seats with heating, ventilation and 12-way power adjustment for the motive force, plus automatic climate control.
Standard safety equipment includes at the very least six airbags and ‘Level 2.5’ autonomous driving aids.
Long-wheelbase versions of the V7 and V9 are offered in China, where they wear Mars as an alternative of Tunland badging, measuring at least 3505mm between the axles and a few 5797mm long.
The Chinese-market Tunlands are powered by petrol engines capable of manufacturing as much as 284kW, while a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version is reportedly under development.
When Inchcape announced it will import Foton utes here last July, it said it will offer combustion-powered engines in addition to electrified options, suggesting it could release hybrid and even all-electric drivetrains down the track.
This Article First Appeared At www.carexpert.com.au
