Chinese commercial vehicle manufacturer Foton has made the news more than a few times over the past 12 months, most notably for showing off its C1 vans at the Commercial Vehicle Show in Birmingham and announcing International Motors as its UK distributor. Well, now the company has a pick-up truck coming to the UK in early 2027… so, get ready to find out more about the Foton Tunland.
As you’d expect, Foton claims this new mild-hybrid pick-up truck is designed to ‘combine traditional practicality with modern technology, improved comfort and everyday usability’... aren’t they all? It’s aimed at personal and commercial audiences with seats for five, a relatively practical load bed and a more ‘car-like than traditional’ interior.
It sounds as if we’re being prepped for another BYD Shark – another pick-up the taxman can’t class as a proper commercial vehicle relying on being SUV-like to pull in personal users, although we’ll reserve final judgement until final details are revealed closer to launch.
What powertrain does the Foton Tunland have?
The Foton Tunland is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine paired with a 48V mild-hybrid system. The mild-hybrid tech is there to increase efficiency and provide a bit of a power boost at lower speeds. It will feature an eight-speed automatic gearbox, but official power, torque, fuel economy and emissions figures are still TBC.
Is the Foton Tunland a hybrid pick-up truck?
Yep! The Foton Tunland uses a 48V mild-hybrid system partnered up with its 2.0-litre diesel engine. It is not a plug-in hybrid or fully electric pick-up truck.
What is the Foton Tunland's payload and towing capacity?
The payload and towing capacity of the Foton Tunland has not been confirmed, although we do know it’s a double-cab body with seating for five and it will have a rear load bed.
What is the Foton Tunland like inside?
From the photos, we can see that the Foton Tunland features a modern-looking interior, and the press release tells us it includes several standout features such as a central touch-screen infotainment system, digital instrument display behind the steering wheel, automatic climate control, wireless smartphone charging, soft-touch materials and stitched interior trim, panoramic opening roof, physical buttons, and various driver-assistance systems. It’s nice to see physical controls, rather than relying entirely on touch-screen operation.
Does the Foton Tunland have independent rear suspension?
The Foton Tunland features multi-link rear suspension designed to improve ride comfort and stability, which is mostly to reduce the unsettled driving manners most pick-ups suffer from when driven unloaded.
How much will the Foton Tunland cost in the UK?
UK pricing for the Foton Tunland has not yet been announced.
Who will sell and distribute Foton vehicles in the UK?
Foton has partnered with International Motors to distribute the brand in the UK.
What is Foton?
Foton is a Chinese commercial vehicle manufacturer, producing a range of commercial vehicles and industrial machinery such as light, medium and heavy-duty trucks, vans and mini trucks, pick-up trucks, buses and construction machinery. The company already has an established presence in European markets including Italy, Germany and Malta.
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