Latest news with #Tunland

Courier-Mail
a day ago
- Automotive
- Courier-Mail
Foton announces Australian return with new Tunland hybrid ute range
Don't miss out on the headlines from On the Road. Followed categories will be added to My News. Chinese commercial vehicle manufacturer Foton has confirmed its all-new Tunland hybrid ute will arrive in Australia in the third quarter of 2025. The Tunland previously made headlines for its resemblance to features found in America's best-selling ute, the RAM 1500. And now more details on the company's hybrid ute have been revealed. There has been a growing number of Chinese utes entering Australia, and the Tunland will join this line-up, which includes the JAC T9, LDV Terron 9, and GWM Cannon. RAM 1500 TRX and Foton Tunland V9 motoring ram foton slider - Before motoring ram foton slider - After Glen Cooper, General Manager of Foton Australia, said the new Tunland is a 'Goldilocks' ute that delivers a compelling blend of performance, technology, and value, tailored specifically to the Australian market. 'The all-new Tunland is a fresh and capable new contender in the ute segment, offering commercial-grade space and toughness, combined with the comfort and technology modern drivers expect,' he said. Chinese copycat utes confirmed for Australia New brand Foton has borrowed the styling from Ford and RAM for new models due in 2025, as David McCowen explores. Video Player is loading. Play Video This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. X Learn More Loaded : 0.00% 0:00 Close Modal Dialog This is a modal window. This modal can be closed by pressing the Escape key or activating the close button. 00:22 SUBSCRIBER ONLY Chinese copycat utes confirmed for Australia more more styling from Ford and RAM for new models due in 2025, as David McCowen explores. New brand Foton has borrowed the...... ... more 2025 Foton Tunland. Picture: Supplied MORE: 'Concern': Shock footage of driverless truck 'We've backed that up with tens of thousands of kilometres of local testing to ensure it's tuned for Australian conditions and built to deliver exactly what drivers need — whether it's for work, play, or everything in between. 'We see real potential for the Tunland to shake up the category by delivering greater versatility, space, and refinement in a truly value-packed offering.' 2025 Foton Tunland. Picture: Supplied While final features and specifications are yet to be confirmed, Foton has revealed four trim levels that will be available across two model lines: the V7 and the V9. The V7 will be available in both 4x2 and 4x4 configurations, catering to buyers seeking either a work-related vehicle or a more capable off-roader. Meanwhile, the higher-spec V9 will only be available in a 4x4 configuration and will come in two versions: the more comfort-focused V9 L and the sportier V9 S. 2025 Foton Tunland. Picture: Supplied 2025 Foton Tunland. Picture: Supplied MORE: 'Outrageous': car bargain of 2025 revealed The base model will start at $39,990 plus on-road costs, while the flagship V9 S will begin at $49,990 plus on-road costs. This pricing is slightly higher than competitors like the JAC T9, which is available for a drive-away price under $50,000, and the GWM Cannon, priced at $49,900 drive-away. Foton Tunland model line-up Model Price before on-road costs V7-C 4x2 $39,990 V7-C 4x4 $42,990 V9-L 4x4 $45,990 V9-S 4x4 $49,990 Under the bonnet, all Tunland models will be powered by a 2.0-litre Aucan turbo-diesel engine paired with 48V mild-hybrid technology and a ZF 8-speed automatic transmission. Foton also fulfils the essential criteria for selling a ute in Australia. The Tunland has an impressive braked towing capacity of 3,500kg and a payload capacity exceeding one tonne. 2025 Foton Tunland. Picture: Supplied MORE: China unveils plan to smash Tesla in Aus Additionally, it is equipped with a range of driver safety features, ensuring both power and protection on the road. Foton originally entered the Australian market in 2012 with the first-generation Tunland ute, but exited in 2017 after changing local distributors three times. Now, the brand is back, hoping for a more substantial and stable return with a much more refined and competitive product. Originally published as 2025 Foton Tunland price and specs revealed


7NEWS
7 days ago
- Automotive
- 7NEWS
2025 Foton Tunland price and specs: Budget utes bring American looks for Chinese money
Foton is back, and it's once again entering a market teeming with affordable Chinese utes, and once again under-cutting Australia's most popular Thai-built models. Unlike last time, when the previous Tunland ute contended with what was known as Great Wall, as well as ZX Auto and JMC before eventually being axed, this time it's up against a rebranded and increasingly sophisticated GWM, as well as stalwart LDV and new entrant JAC. It's doing this with the backing of Subaru distributor Inchcape, and is once again using the Tunland nameplate. This time, it's applied to a radically different-looking pair of dual-cab utes. Gone is the pleasant, safe styling of the old Tunland, and in its place is a look that owes more to American full-size pickups than any of its similarly priced rivals. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. The V7 is the one you see here that looks rather like a Ford F-150 if you take off your glasses, while the V9 is the one that looks awfully like a Ram 1500. You won't miss them on the street, thanks not only to their bold styling but also dimensions that make them larger than top-selling utes like the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux, and an array of bold exterior paint colours including Lightning Purple. Foton says the V7 is more fleet-focused, offering a payload of over 1000kg, while the V9 – thanks to its multi-link rear suspension – offers a smoother ride and greater refinement. Pricing starts at $39,990 before on-road costs for the V7-C 4×2, and tops out at $49,990 plus on-roads for the V9-S 4×4. For context, the GWM Cannon dual-cab range is priced from $40,490 drive-away, and the LDV T60 Max range is currently being offered from $41,253 drive-away in model year 2025 (MY25) Pro auto guise. The larger GWM Cannon Alpha opens at $52,990 drive-away. The first Tunlands will start arriving from the third quarter of this year, so before the end of September. Foton will have dealers in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and the ACT, with 'further growth planned' ahead of the first vehicles coming ashore. The company says it has locally tested the Tunland across tens of thousands of kilometres of Australian roads, both sealed and unsealed, while also putting it through its paces off-road to ensure it's suitable for local conditions. While Foton has published a detailed list of specifications, it hasn't confirmed whether it will offer capped-price servicing. Also unknown are fuel economy figures, and whether the Tunland will come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Pricing Drivetrains and Efficiency The Tunland V7 and V9 differ in rear suspension – the former has a live axle with leaf springs, while the latter features a multi-link rigid axle. However, they share the same turbo-diesel mild-hybrid powertrain and ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic transmission. The V7 is offered with either rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, but the V9 is four-wheel drive-only. The four-wheel drive system features auto, 2H, 4H and $L modes. All four-wheel drive Tunlands have a locking rear differential, while the flagship V9-S 4×4 also gains a locking front differential. Foton has yet to publish fuel economy or emissions figures. Weights and Dimensions At 5617mm long on a 3355mm wheelbase, the Foton Tunland sits between a Ranger dual-cab (5370mm long, 3270mm wheelbase) and a short-wheelbase Ford F-150 pickup (5884mm long, 3694mm wheelbase). Servicing and Warranty The Foton Tunland is backed by a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. Foton hasn't announced any capped-price servicing scheme. Safety The Foton Tunland has yet to be tested by ANCAP. Standard safety equipment across the range includes: Adaptive cruise control Autonomous emergency braking Blind-spot monitoring Lane-keep assist Lane centring Rear cross-traffic alert Surround-view camera Front and rear parking sensors Safe exit warning Traffic sign recognition The V9-S 4×4 also has a driver monitoring system. Standard Equipment There are four variants in the Tunland lineup. The V7-C 4×2 comes standard with the following equipment: Spray-in tub liner Highway Terrain tyres Eco, Standard, Sport drive modes Electronic parking brake Auto hold Automatic LED headlights Integrated dash cam 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster 14.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system 2 x front USB-A outlets 4-speaker sound system Single-zone air-conditioning 6-way manually adjustable driver's seat 4-way manually adjustable passenger seat The V7-C 4×4 adds: Four-wheel drive system Sand, Mud, Snow modes Locking rear differential All-terrain tyres The V9-L 4×4 adds: Multi-link rear suspension 'Premium' side steps 'Premium' 18-inch wheel design Sports bar Lockable tray Heated, power-folding exterior mirrors Heated front seats 6-way power driver's seat with 4-way lumbar 4-way power passenger seat Dual-zone climate control 6-speaker sound system 2x rear USB-A outlets 220V/300W power outlet Auto-dimming rear-view mirror The V9-S 4×4 adds: Locking front differential Roof rails Rear privacy glass Panoramic sunroof Ventilated front seats Driver seat memory Heated outboard rear seats LED rear reading light Auto up/down for all power windows Colours Flare White is the standard exterior paint finish, with the following available for an extra $690: Galaxy Silver Titanium Grey Phantom Black Fire Red Diamond Blue Aurora Green Lightning Purple


Perth Now
7 days ago
- Automotive
- Perth Now
2025 Foton Tunland price and specs: Budget utes bring American looks for Chinese money
Foton is back, and it's once again entering a market teeming with affordable Chinese utes, and once again under-cutting Australia's most popular Thai-built models. Unlike last time, when the previous Tunland ute contended with what was known as Great Wall, as well as ZX Auto and JMC before eventually being axed, this time it's up against a rebranded and increasingly sophisticated GWM, as well as stalwart LDV and new entrant JAC. It's doing this with the backing of Subaru distributor Inchcape, and is once again using the Tunland nameplate. This time, it's applied to a radically different-looking pair of dual-cab utes. Gone is the pleasant, safe styling of the old Tunland, and in its place is a look that owes more to American full-size pickups than any of its similarly priced rivals. CarExpert can save you thousands on a new car. Click here to get a great deal. Supplied Credit: CarExpert The V7 is the one you see here that looks rather like a Ford F-150 if you take off your glasses, while the V9 is the one that looks awfully like a Ram 1500. You won't miss them on the street, thanks not only to their bold styling but also dimensions that make them larger than top-selling utes like the Ford Ranger and Toyota HiLux, and an array of bold exterior paint colours including Lightning Purple. Foton says the V7 is more fleet-focused, offering a payload of over 1000kg, while the V9 – thanks to its multi-link rear suspension – offers a smoother ride and greater refinement. Pricing starts at $39,990 before on-road costs for the V7-C 4×2, and tops out at $49,990 plus on-roads for the V9-S 4×4. Supplied Credit: CarExpert For context, the GWM Cannon dual-cab range is priced from $40,490 drive-away, and the LDV T60 Max range is currently being offered from $41,253 drive-away in model year 2025 (MY25) Pro auto guise. The larger GWM Cannon Alpha opens at $52,990 drive-away. The first Tunlands will start arriving from the third quarter of this year, so before the end of September. Foton will have dealers in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and the ACT, with 'further growth planned' ahead of the first vehicles coming ashore. The company says it has locally tested the Tunland across tens of thousands of kilometres of Australian roads, both sealed and unsealed, while also putting it through its paces off-road to ensure it's suitable for local conditions. Supplied Credit: CarExpert While Foton has published a detailed list of specifications, it hasn't confirmed whether it will offer capped-price servicing. Also unknown are fuel economy figures, and whether the Tunland will come with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Tunland V7 and V9 differ in rear suspension – the former has a live axle with leaf springs, while the latter features a multi-link rigid axle. Supplied Credit: CarExpert However, they share the same turbo-diesel mild-hybrid powertrain and ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic transmission. The V7 is offered with either rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive, but the V9 is four-wheel drive-only. The four-wheel drive system features auto, 2H, 4H and $L modes. All four-wheel drive Tunlands have a locking rear differential, while the flagship V9-S 4×4 also gains a locking front differential. Foton has yet to publish fuel economy or emissions figures. At 5617mm long on a 3355mm wheelbase, the Foton Tunland sits between a Ranger dual-cab (5370mm long, 3270mm wheelbase) and a short-wheelbase Ford F-150 pickup (5884mm long, 3694mm wheelbase). Supplied Credit: CarExpert The Foton Tunland is backed by a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre warranty. Foton hasn't announced any capped-price servicing scheme. The Foton Tunland has yet to be tested by ANCAP. Supplied Credit: CarExpert Standard safety equipment across the range includes: Adaptive cruise control Autonomous emergency braking Blind-spot monitoring Lane-keep assist Lane centring Rear cross-traffic alert Surround-view camera Front and rear parking sensors Safe exit warning Traffic sign recognition The V9-S 4×4 also has a driver monitoring system. There are four variants in the Tunland lineup. Supplied Credit: CarExpert The V7-C 4×2 comes standard with the following equipment: Spray-in tub liner Highway Terrain tyres Eco, Standard, Sport drive modes Electronic parking brake Auto hold Automatic LED headlights Integrated dash cam 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster 14.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system 2 x front USB-A outlets 4-speaker sound system Single-zone air-conditioning 6-way manually adjustable driver's seat 4-way manually adjustable passenger seat The V7-C 4×4 adds: Four-wheel drive system Sand, Mud, Snow modes Locking rear differential All-terrain tyres The V9-L 4×4 adds: Multi-link rear suspension 'Premium' side steps 'Premium' 18-inch wheel design Sports bar Lockable tray Heated, power-folding exterior mirrors Heated front seats 6-way power driver's seat with 4-way lumbar 4-way power passenger seat Dual-zone climate control 6-speaker sound system 2x rear USB-A outlets 220V/300W power outlet Auto-dimming rear-view mirror The V9-S 4×4 adds: Locking front differential Roof rails Rear privacy glass Panoramic sunroof Ventilated front seats Driver seat memory Heated outboard rear seats LED rear reading light Auto up/down for all power windows Flare White is the standard exterior paint finish, with the following available for an extra $690: Galaxy Silver Titanium Grey Phantom Black Fire Red Diamond Blue Aurora Green Lightning Purple MORE: Explore the Foton Tunland showroom


The Citizen
21-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Most basic Foton Tunland not perfect but strong value package
Entry-level version of Foton's returning double cab offers a lot for a smidgen under R400 000, but is let down, unfairly, by a few niggles it should have done without. TL starts Foton's double can Tunland off, with looks 'borrowed' from a number of rivals. Images: Charl Bosch The surprise return of Foton to South Africa last year, via Combined Motor Holdings (CHM), has been a gradual re-acceptance of what was, arguably, the first 'upscale' Chinese bakkie sold in South Africa. Where it started Originally introduced in 2012, the Tunland differed significantly from its Great Wall Motors (GWM), JMC and other People's Republic rivals by being more luxury-focused and therefore, out to directly challenge established versions of the Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux, Isuzu KB (D-Max), Mitsubishi Triton and the now discontinued Mazda BT-50. ALSO READ: New Foton Tunland not a 'cheaply concocted' Chinese bakkie A cut above not only its countryman, but also the Mahindra Pik Up, the Tunland offered the usual Chinese vehicle USPs of vastly more equipment than its legacy brand opposition, with the ultimate trump card of a Cummins-sourced 2.8-litre turbodiesel engine. Developing a potent, at the time, 120kW/360Nm, the unit, plus the Tunland's more affordable price tag, didn't attract the attention Foton had envisioned, and as such, sales were quietly withdrawn before a major update in 2018. The bigger picture Its comeback in South Africa has been marked by a similar situation, admits a frenzied and growing uptake of Chinese bakkies from JAC, GWM, LDV, newly arrived BYD and soon, Chery. Having faded in supposed obscurity after its launch, sales of the Tunland G7 so far total 649 units, though it has to be said, it only started reporting its figures to the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa) from February this year. Known as the Tunland Yutu in China, where it first went on sale in 2019, the Tunland G7 will eventually form part of a three-model bakkie range in a similar capacity to Mahinda's incoming Global Pik Up that will sit above the current Pik Up and Bolero. In this regard, the G7 will become Foton's range opener below the Ford F-150-aping Tunland V7, and V9 that resembles the Ram 1500. First of two While both have been confirmed for South Africa by mid-year, the G7, for now, is Foton's sole offering with a choice of six models priced from R329 900 for the workhorse single-cab Hi-Rider. Unsurprisingly, Foton opted to offer The Citizen not one but two examples of the double cab, the first, and subject of this review, the entry-level TL. Looks familiar? Rear looks like a Nissan Navara/Mercedes-Benz X-Class design copy. Priced at R399 900, the TL feels anything but spartan for what is also one of the cheapest double cabs in South Africa, an accolade it shares with the Lux spec version of the JAC T8. Solely fitted with a six-speed manual gearbox and having its power and torque routed to the rear wheels only, the initial promise of the Tunland G7 TL soon turned a bit lobsided as the weeklong test proved more mixed, even with its price tag taken into consideration. You look familiar? Outwardly, there is little to disguise the fact, unlike its GWM, JAC, LDV rivals, the Tunland hasn't let go of the 'copy-of-paste' design method of early Chinese products. Despite being the base model, the TL rides standard on 17-inch alloy wheels. Besides the Ranger Raptor-inspired block letter Foton badge on its grille, the frontal styling is a mix of current Hilux and D-Max, while the rear is a combination of Nissan Navara and Mercedes-Benz X-Class, complete with awkwardly-sized loadbin that appears shorter than the bonnet when viewed in-side. Mounted on 17-inch alloy wheels from the start, the Tunland isn't the styling standout Foton will probably project it to be, however, the various 'borrowed' elements still translate into a relatively imposing double cab without the 'shock' factor of the JAC T9. The surprise inside The most impressive aspect, though, is the interior when taking into account the sub-R400 000 price tag. Neat and attractive at first glance, the cab feels resoundingly plush with soft-touch materials on key surfaces, plus a balanced mix of silver inlays and not-overly-too-much piano-key black inserts. Interior appears neat and stylish, and anything but a bakkie costing under R500 000. Highlighted by a pair of 12.3-inch displays for the infotainment system and instrument cluster, touch-sensitive buttons have been eschewed for physical switchgear, which adds to what is a largely ergonomically-sound layout not expected at this price point. What's more, the cabin feels spacious and being a Chinese vehicle where emphasis is placed on space for those seated at the rear, the Tunland G7 TL doesn't squander with impressive levels of head-and-legroom for a double cab. Not stopping there, Foton has not been greedy about the specification either, and as such, has stuffed its base-model double cab full of kit, even the T8 appears unlikely to match. Infotainment system is surprisingly easy to use in spite of looking anything but. Besides the pair of displays – the infotainment fitted with Android Auto and an aftermarket Apple CarPlay system using a dongle inserted into one of the two USB ports – the TL comes fitted as standard with push-button start, a multi-function steering wheel, climate control, auto lock/unlock doors, front and rear armrests, a steel sports bar, LED daytime running lights and a four-speaker sound system. On the safety and driver assistance front, dual airbags are fitted, along with cruise control, Driver Attention Alert, a tyre pressure monitor, Hill Descent Control, ABS and EBD, Hill Hold Assist, Vehicle Dynamic Control, rear parking sensors, a reverse camera and a drive mode selector with three settings: Eco, Comfort and Sport. When the 'good' stops Omitted are LED headlights or even the commonplace auto-on/off function that resulted in the lights being left on a few times. While just about acceptable if nowhere as strong or visually appealing as even the most basic of LED setups, the Tunland G7's peculiarities remain, the biggest being the seats. Cloth seats are too hard and don't drop down far enough for taller drivers. Covered in real cloth, the chairs don't drop low enough and, in the case of the driver, results in a compromised driving position for those who prefer to sit 'on the floor'. In addition, the steering wheel only adjusts for height, which, given the proximity of the instrument cluster, translates to a partially obscured view of some of the readouts. The seats themselves are on the hard side and, despite the mentioned level of quality, some of the fit-and-finish elicited the opposite, namely the gear knob becoming undone and a piece of carpet underneath the dashboard to the left of the clutch pedal having come adrift – all this on a vehicle with less than 500 km on its odometer. Power unit deserves better Where matters take the biggest wrong turn is on the power front, and in a few instances, unfairly against what is largely a more than acceptable powerplant. Co-developed with Cummins once again, the 2.0-litre oil-burner produces 120 kW and a strong 390 Nm. Although good on paper, the engine isn't the most refined and, compared to others, loud on start-up and hampered by low-down lag. Six-speed manual is a let-down with a sloppy action and too short ratios. At above 2 000 rpm, it comes alive and pulls with such ease and verve that the Tunland G7 almost feel lighter than what its 1 960 kg kerb mass suggests. While rev-happy – not you would want to do so permanently because of the eventual strained soundtrack – the amount of puff soon runs out, which will require manhandling of the six-speed 'box. Developed in-house, the 'box's short ratios partly contribute to the Tunland's low-end lag, and while reasonably slick, it comes with a horrible, grating feel when shifting down as if a linkage had snapped. Adding to this, the clutch pedal feel is overly sensitive and the throttle calibration a bit off, meaning care will be needed to avoid stalling. Gerotek tested This posed the question as to how the Tunland would fare at Gerotek where a manual, rear-wheel-drive bakkie hasn't been tested for some time. As it turned out, it didn't prove the embarrassment expected with a 0-100 km/h time of just 12 seconds, faster than the admittedly four-wheel-drive but also more powerful and automatic Toyota Hilux 2.8 GD-6 Legend RS, and the two-wheel-drive Nissan Navara 2.5D Pro-2X. Down on both the single-turbo 2.0-litre XL and XLT versions of the Ford Ranger fitted with the six-speed automatic 'box, the Tunland's lack of low-end twist and sloppy gearbox was cited by Road Test Editor Mark Jones as being constants that prevented it from at least coming in striking distance of the former Blue Oval's 11.0 second run. Yes and no Able to tow 3 000 kg, the Tunland G7's ride is unsurprisingly bouncy with no load present, however, this will become better with a few kg's present. Space in the back is one of the Tunland G7's strongest aspects. More satisfactory are the brakes, though the steering is heavy, but also not surprising considering the Tunland wasn't designed to be a bakkie posing as an SUV. Despite being undone by its transmission, the engine's frugality was noteworthy as the weeklong stay and 578 km netted an indicated the best consumption of 8.7 L/100 km, not far from Foton's eight-litres per 100 km claim. Conclusion While questions marks remain about reliability and the niggling quality issues hopefully limited to the press unit, the Foton Tunland G7 TL makes a strong case from a specification and power side in spite of the gearbox that spoils what is largely a commendably packaged product. Now called G7, the Tunland will soon be part of a three-model Foton line-up in South Africa. Taken out of the equation as something willing to live with, though, the most basic Foton still strikes a capable balance between workhorse and leisure bakkie with more specification and, crucially, at more than half the price of its nearest legacy brand rivals. Road Test Data NOW READ: Foton fires latest Chinese bakkie price salvo with new Tunland G7