Обзор Photos Tunland Dual-Cab 2012
It's still early days, but Foton's Tunland has the potential to carve out a niche in the thriving Australian market.
Depending on features, price (as always) and a viable sales network, Australians may love this Chinese made range with two and four wheel Cummins engines.
Perhaps not as trendy as some of the recent arrivals, the Tunland looks and feels like a decent workhorse from one of China's youngest car companies. Restrained style, solid mechanical foundation and Foton's commitment to international conquest.
Some of the character of the Tunland is imbued with a 2.8-liter Cummins diesel engine, respected by truckers. There is also a Gertrag transmission and Dana axles; There's nothing wrong with the mechanical package, it's just full of competition, so prices should be high when the Tunlands arrive around May.
First there will be a double cab, diesel with a five-speed manual transmission and rear or all-wheel drive. An extra-cab, single-cab version should arrive by the third quarter, followed by a 2-litre petrol engine and ZF six-speed automatic either later this year or early next.
The Foton commuter/cargo van is due in the second half of 2012, and the Tunland-based station wagon is due sometime in 2013.
Value
Pricing and specifications are yet to be finalized for the Australian Tunlands. Foton compared the new car with Toyota HiLux, Isuzu D-Max and Nissan Navara. But with a plethora of unknowns to Australian customers, Tunland's pricing will have to undermine those competitors; Carsguide suggests that a top-notch five-speed, all-wheel drive, double cab should cost $30,000, with the car possibly reaching $40,000.
Design
It's a decent-sized double cab, 150mm wider than the Toyota HiLux, although rivals can beat it for rear passenger legroom. The cargo compartment of the double cabin has respectable dimensions of 1520 mm by 1580 mm by 440 mm; the length of the pallet of a single cabin is 2315 mm.
Inside, cleanliness and order, more European aesthetics than Asian. Indeed, most of the switchgear and dashboard instruments look like they were taken from a Volkswagen spare parts basket.
The high-quality cabin is trimmed with leather and plastic wood inserts; all will have a serious instrument panel next to the stereo in the center console, accentuated by ventilation controls and then, for all-wheel drive models, buttons for two, four high and four low drives.
Technologies
Tunland does not work with many electronic assistants. Front - independent suspension on double wishbones, and rear - a massive rear axle with leaf springs. There's ABS and electronic brake force distribution, as well as a load-sensing proportional valve, but no stability control. Inside there is a stereo system with an MP3 port and parking sensors for some models.
safety
Along with ABS, the Tunland is equipped with driver and front passenger airbags. Curtain airbags are a thing of the past.
Drive
Our first glimpse of the Tunland was in pre-production during a short run near Foton's headquarters in Beijing and in subarctic temperatures. Still, it was enough to suggest that the ute is a viable proposition for the right money. It feels solid and seems to handle and handle just as well as most double cabs; but I think D-Max, not Amarok.
The engine does not rev as high as some of the modern diesels, its power is 120 kW at 3600 rpm. However, it pulls off pretty well and pulls off with minimal RPMs per second. The clutch-to-throttle ratio is good, but the manual shift was a bit jagged, it should smooth out with use.
Foton Auto Australia importers understand they only have one chance to get Tunland to work here. Part of that will include high prices, decent build quality, and a viable dealer network. Initial impressions suggest that Tunlands deserves this chance.
