At the recent relaunch of Foton in South Africa, the Chinese automaker announced that it has a host of vehicle introductions in store for the domestic market in the future, among them the luxurious Tunland V9 bakkie.
The V9 is inspired by American pickup trucks such as the RAM 1500 with its blocky silhouette and generous proportions, and it is one of the most luxurious double cabs in the Foton stable.
No specific launch timeframe was provided for the new bakkie, though we don’t expect to see it arriving before 2025 at the earliest.
What to expect
The V9 boasts a footprint of 5,541mm long and 2,030mm wide with a roofline sitting 1,905mm off the ground – it will therefore be one of the largest bakkies on our roads as it is longer, wider, and taller than popular models like the Ford Ranger, GWM P-Series, and Toyota Hilux.
Ground clearance is pegged at a generous 240mm and its wheelbase stretches over 3,355mm.
The bakkie comes with a mild-hybrid powertrain consisting of a 2.0-litre, turbocharged diesel mill supported by a 48-volt battery and integrated starter generator which sees a maximum system output of 120kW and 450Nm.
The hybridized driveline sends the bakkie to a top speed of 160km/h and allows it to tow up to 3,500kg. It also has the potential to achieve 900km of range on a single tank, said Foton.
Power is harnessed through an eight-speed automatic gearbox and sent to all four tyres with a selection of drive modes available such as Eco, Sport, Sand, Snow, and Mud.
In rear-wheel-drive mode, the V9 can scale inclines of up to 16.7 degrees while in 4×4 it can best a climb of 31 degrees.
Foton pulled out all the stops for the interior of its upscale bakkie, installing amenities such as a 14.6-inch central touchscreen with smartphone pairing, a fully digital driver’s display, and racing-style leather seats with heating and ventilation.
More standout features comprise automatic climate control, an AI voice interaction system, a wireless charger, 360-degree cameras, Level 2.5 advanced driver assistance systems, full-LED lighting, and 18-inch alloy wheels.
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