Road Test: Foton Tunland 2.8 single-cab off-road Luxury |
by Tristan Wiggill
No Mess, no Fuss
An imposing, Passion red Foton Tunland was recently provided to the aBr editorial team for weeklong
evaluation. The particular derivative supplied was the range-topping single-cab Luxury, which meant
it sported a nudge bar, tonneau cover, a roll bar and chrome side steps, all of which contributes to the
R249 950 price tag.
I
n many ways the
Tunland feels like
an Isuzu KB or
Toyota Hilux or Ford
Ranger from at least a
decade ago. While it’s
styling, inside and out,
is indicative of more
recent times, it still has
a distinctly old-school
flavour. This may appeal
to some, but we doubt
the equally distinct
“made in China” cabin
smell will be held in
equally high esteem.
*This is the standard version
The Tunland is also
something of a mixed
mechanical bag - not
entirely surprising given its Eas tern
origins - with its development including
the input of more than 30 international
component suppliers, including
Cummins, Bosch, Continental, ZF, Dana
and Ogihara.
With a big engine under the bonnet,
the Tunland isn’t short of grunt. The
Cummins ISF four-cylinder turbocharged
diesel engine develops 96kW and
280Nm, making the Tunland one of
the most powerful vehicles in its class.
We suspect that the tried and tested
Cummins unit should be bulletproof as
well. At this point we should mention
that it is somewhat peculiar/outrageous
that a three-year/60 000 km service plan
is a R24 000 optional extra!
The unladen Tunland felt rather out of
place in Wendywood, Sandton. A trip
to the local mall only proved to confirm
this perception, with the underground
parking facilities a frustrating, physically
taxing environment through which
to navigate. Like many bakkies, the
Tunland’s turning circle is poor, its
wheels are large and heavy and
its enormous 5.3-metre length is
cumbersome at the best of times, let
alone in confined spaces.
Its workhorse credentials run deep, and
includes ladder-frame construction,
rigid chassis and reinforced steel body,
with independent double wishbone
suspension upfront and parallel leaf
springs at the rear. These macho
characteristics go some way to explain
the somewhat raw, bumpy on-road ride
quality. Noise, vibration and harshness
are also not top of the agenda.
Oddly enough the Tunland is not
short of creature comforts, with airconditioning, a CD player, Bluetooth,
electric windows and two airbags all
making an appearance on the spec
sheet. The steering wheel even has
controls for the two-speaker sound
system, while faux wood details the
malodourous cabin. Yet while the doors
close with a re-assuring thud, the
cheap-looking aircon switchgear and
ill-fitting seatbelt clasp had me second-
| Wheels in Action
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july 2014
guessing its
long-term
durability.
On the upside,
the Tunland’s
cockpit is
spacious in all
respects and I
have no qualms
in this regard.
The Foton
Tunland is a
workhorse in
the truest sense
of the word.
It is harsh and
unrefined, and
clearly aimed at
labour-intensive
industries, be they in construction or
on farms or the like. As a hardworking,
short to medium-term “disposable”
business tool, it is easy to recommend,
especially given its ruggedness,
performance, carrying capacity and
price-tag.
However, those looking for something
more sophisticated, more comfortable
and with greater emphasis on safety
or leisure should look elsewhere.
There is far more variety in the Ford,
Isuzu or Toyota stables, some of whose
single-cab bakkie are not that much
more expensive.
The decision to buy the Tunland
or not really comes down to
what your budget/bank allows,
how long you plan on keeping
the vehicle, and what the
intended uses and operating
environments will be.