Get value for your Tun

Now Foton South Africa has launched the 4x2 model and we came away just as impressed with this quality vehicle which is a welcome change from some of the other oriental products on the market. What is it? The Tunland is available in two 4x2 variants – the Comfort, priced at R249 950 and the Lux at R269 950 – and is competitively priced. Figures given by Foton SA managing director Brett Soso bear this out.

The equivalent VW Amarok is priced at R350 200, the Ford Ranger at R286 471, the Nissan Navara at R344 900, Toyota Hilux R365 500, and Isuzu R324 300. How does it look? It is one of the best styled Chinese bakkies, in our opinion, on the market today. What’s it like to drive? Very good – and perhaps the secret of why were are so impressed is the power under the bonnet, which comes from a proven Cummings diesel engine.

The engine generates 120kW of power at 3 600rpm and 360Nm of torque at 1 800rpm.

It, is one of the few power units fitted to a pick-up in SA which complies with Euro IV emission regulations. It can operate on 500ppm diesel fuel due to the limited availability of 50ppm fuel at present.

The engine is economical on fuel with a combined cycle figure of 8,3l/100km, while the emission rating is only 219gm/km. Any special features? Safety is a big one in our books. The Tunland has a four-star rating in the Chinese test procedure, which is similar to the Euro NCAP.

The chassis-mounted passenger safety cell meets the US first class safety requirements for pick-up trucks and also meets Euro NCAP requirements. Should you buy one? In today’s tight economic conditions, saving every cent counts and therefore Foton’s bakkie range is worth considering.

The Tunland is covered by a three-year/100 000km warranty, a three-year corrosion warranty, roadside assistance for three years and a two-year/ 40 000km service plan.