Powerful new Chinese bakkie coming to South Africa – What to expect

Foton South Africa has expanded its local offerings, unveiling the Tunland V9 PHEV while showcasing the development of its manufacturing operations in Gqeberha during the BAIC Foton Africa Partners Conference.

According to the Chinese manufacturer, the Foton Tunland V9 PHEV introduces plug-in hybrid technology to the Tunland range, combining rechargeable electric driving with the flexibility of a petrol engine.

It added that the bakkie is a practical route into electrification, since regular charging lets owners use electric power in their daily routine, while the petrol engine provides greater range.

Foton said this will help address the local range anxiety associated with electric vehicles (EVs), especially on routes with limited charging infrastructure.

“South African bakkie owners need a vehicle that can accommodate the working week, family responsibilities and longer journeys,” said Marius Smal, CEO of Foton South Africa.

“The Tunland V9 PHEV introduces electric driving into that routine while retaining the flexibility of a petrol engine.”

“It gives customers another way to approach electrified mobility without making charging infrastructure the deciding factor in every journey.”

Despite already unveiling the vehicle, the Chinese bakkie brand has yet to announce its official launch date, expected early next year, and it also hasn’t confirmed the bakkie’s price.

What to expect

The Foton Tunland V9 PHEV combines a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine with front- and rear-mounted electric motors and a 32.8kWh battery.

The result is a powerful 350kW and up to 800Nm system driving all four wheels through a four-speed dedicated hybrid transmission.

These combined outputs will make the Foton the most powerful bakkie in South Africa’s market, alongside the BYD Shark 6 Double-Cab Performance.

Its large battery enables an electric-only driving range of up to 110km, while using both battery and petrol power enables a WLTC combined driving range of 1,000km, with a claimed consumption of 2.0l/100km.

The PHEV bakkie also supports Vehicle-to-Load (V2L) thanks to its 220V external power supply, allowing it to power tools, camping appliances and lighting within the system’s operating limits.

Inside, the Tunland V9 features a 14.6-inch central touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument display with wireless smartphone connectivity, wireless charging and dual-zone automatic air conditioning.

Its suite of driver-assistance technology includes adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance and lane-departure warning.

The Foton Tunland V9 PHEV measures 5,617mm long and 2,090mm wide and features a spacious load box measuring 1,580mm long, 1,650mm wide and 500mm deep.