Photos of Tunland 2014 Overview
It took some time for Foton to achieve this, but the Chinese brand has finally done it with the Foton Tunland single-ton truck with a double cab and a new single cab/chassis. And they are really good, much better than other Chinese offerings in terms of performance and looks.
As part of its quality enhancement, Foton uses premium powertrain components from Cummins, Getrag, Dana and Borg Warner manufactured in factories in China.
PRICE / FEATURES
These powertrain companies charge royalties for their technology, which makes the Foton's price higher (from $24,990 per trip) than the Great Wall and other cheap models from Indian manufacturers Tata and Mahindra, but the Foton is much better.
Foton equips Tunland with a wide range of equipment to make the day easier. Air conditioning, cruise, ABS, dual airbags, power windows and mirrors, remote entry, multifunction steering wheel, anatomically designed seats, storage boxes, overhead console, low beam height adjustment and Bluetooth phone are standard. The safety rating is not specified.
ENGINE / TRANSMISSION
The single cab and chassis range is available in 4x2 and 4x4 dual range specifications, the latter featuring more power and torque thanks to a retuned engine. A five-speed manual transmission is standard, with a six-speed automatic likely coming in the near future.
The engine is a 2.8-litre, single-distribution, four-cylinder Cummins ISF, turbodiesel with 96kW/280Nm for the 4x2 and 120kW/360Nm for the 4x4. Fuel economy figures are just 8.0 liters per 100 km in the 4x2, slightly more in the 4x4, which includes 2WD, 4WD High and 4WD Low buttons.
DESIGN / STYLE
The Foton Tunland pairs well with all other solids on the market in terms of specifications and performance. It features best-in-class rear beam span, longest approved alloy body deck, smaller rear overhang, largest diameter front discs and better rear tray design.
The large tray features a laser-cut mesh cockpit guard, anti-rattling spring-loaded metal latches, external rails, and hard flanks. It is built on a sturdy ladder chassis with leaf springs at the rear and coils at the front. All components look solid and are capable of hauling over a ton or towing 2.5 tons.
The wheels are 16-inch steel rims with fat tires and a full-size spare under the sump, and the ground clearance is 212mm for a 1735kg vehicle. In the 4×4 variants, it rides high, perhaps the highest in its class, thanks to the anatomical (American) design of the seats, and is comfortable on long journeys. The exterior is inoffensive - fairly conventional for a car with an imposing face - and the interior is large to match the exterior.
ON THE ROADS
The driving experience is similar to a truck, with stiff suspension tuned for hauling cargo, shifting like a truck, and possibly beefed up brakes. The 4th gear is high gear to make it easier to drive on the highway, but there is too much rev drop from 5th to XNUMXth. This is the only criticism we could make other than the inability to understand how the Bluetooth phone system works.
We had no problems using all the controls, because Foton is the same as any other solid color - simple, functional. Heck, even the turning radius is on par with the competition (too big). The diesel rumbles a little in the cabin, but it subsides once you reach the desired speed.
Foton easily accepts cargo thanks to the combination of a large pallet, a powerful engine and a solid structure. We put a ton in the back of the 4×4 model we tested, and it had little effect on how it rode. The flip sides are the best in the business. All Foton needs to do now is build a decent national dealer network and get people interested in the cars.
