New Foton Tunland G9 coming to South Africa – What to expect

Foton has made a grand re-entry into the local market with an extensive portfolio of commercial vehicles, but it isn’t stopping there.

The Chinese manufacturer intends to make South Africa its springboard into the rest of the African continent, and in this endeavour, it has a barrage of new vehicles and other exciting initiatives planned for our market.

One of the most intriguing upcoming models is the Tunland G9, which Foton describes as its “most complete pickup.”

The company unfortunately provided no indication of the launch timeline for the G9, only stating that it will be among dozens of new bakkies, trucks, and vans it has in store for the country.

We therefore don’t anticipate seeing the double cab on domestic roads before 2025 at the earliest, given that Foton only launched its entry-level Tunland G7 in June and will undoubtedly want to give this model a bit of time on the market alone to see how consumers react to it before making hasty, costly decisions.

What to expect

The G9 draws inspiration from the US-market Ford F-150 with its blocky profile and bold proportions, standing 5,340mm long, 1,960mm wide, and 1,870mm tall.

The lifestyle double cab sports double-height LED headlights with daytime running lights, protective wheel arch and door cladding, roof rails, a rear sports bar, and 18-inch alloy wheels in a fashionable multi-spoke design.

The cabin is similarly premium, offering luxuries such as a digital instrument panel and infotainment system both measuring 12.3 inches, front seat heating and ventilation, 12-way electric adjustment for the driver’s seat, climate control, eco-leather upholstery, and a sunroof.

As one would expect from a “complete” bakkie, a selection of advanced assistance systems will also be at the driver’s fingertips including 360-degree cameras, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and forward-collision warning automatic braking.

Powering the G9 is the same turbocharged 2.0-litre diesel block as in the G7, with a maximum potential of 120kW and 390Nm.

Both the six-speed manual and eight-speed automatic versions are available in 4×2 and 4×4, with the latter also featuring a differential lock for added off-road prowess.

Maximum towing capacity for the bakkie is rated at 3,000kg and it’s capable of carrying a load of up to 850kg in the rear tray.

Foton Tunland G9