The Australian importer of Subaru and Peugeot vehicles will bring Chinese brand Foton back to showrooms next year, with two utes confirmed for the local lineup.
In July, Inchcape announced it’d begin distributing Foton vehicles in Australia from the fourth quarter of 2024, joining its automotive portfolio of brands which includes Subaru, Peugeot and incoming Chinese electric vehicle firm Deepal.
However, those looking for a Foton ute will need to wait until 2025, with Inchcape now confirming it’ll bring the Tunland V7 and V9 to Australia in the first half of next year.
The two mid-sized dual-cab utes are the same under the skin, though they feature different exterior designs, with the Tunland V7 reminiscent of a Ford F-150, while the Tunland V9 looks more like a Ram 1500.
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Tunland V7 (left) and Tunland V9 (right)
In other right-hand drive markets where the Foton Tunland V7 and V9 are sold, such as South Africa, both utes are powered by 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engines, which feature 48-volt mild-hybrid assistance.
The two utes produce 120kW of power and 450Nm of torque, with their turbo-diesel engines mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission from ZF.
Some markets such as China – where the Tunland name is replaced with Mars – offer petrol engines capable of producing up to 284kW in the V7 and V9, while a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version is reportedly under development.
When Inchcape announced it’d bring Foton utes to Australia in July, it said it would not only include a range of internal-combustion engines (ICEs) but also electrified options, hinting at the possibility of hybrid and even all-electric drivetrains becoming available.
Tunland V7
Foton claims the Tunland V7 and V9 can tow up to 3500kg braked.
There’s double wishbone suspension at the front and a multi-link setup at the rear.
Both utes share identical dimensions, despite wearing different exterior panels. They’re offered in two wheelbase options, with the 3355mm version measuring 5517mm long, 2000mm wide and 1905mm tall.
Tunland V7 and V9s that stretch 3505mm between the axles measure a sizeable 5797mm long and 2090mm wide.
For context, a Ford Ranger Wildtrak is 5370mm long, 1918mm wide, and 1886mm tall, and rides on a 3270mm wheelbase.
The pair ride on 18-inch wheels with chunky 265/70 profile all-terrain tyres.
Inside, there’s a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, 14.6-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, ‘racing style’ seats with heating, ventilation and 12-way power adjustment for the driver, plus automatic climate control.
Standard safety equipment includes at least six airbags and a ‘Level 2.5’ autonomous driving system.
Inchcape is expected to announce further details about the Foton utes such as pricing and specifications closer to the local launch.
It’ll be the first time Foton’s utes have been seen in local showrooms since 2019.
Between 2012 and 2019, Foton enlisted three different local importers, starting out with FAA Automotive Australia, then Ateco Automotive, and then finally a factory-backed operation before departing about five years ago because the original Tunland no longer met emissions regulations.
While Foton utes haven’t been available in Australia for several years, the Foton name has continued here with Foton Mobility… though it isn’t part of the Foton Group.
This Australian-owned company distributes electric buses and trucks, and announced earlier this year it would sell electric vans here from Chinese brand Asiastar.
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