Imposing Foton Tunland V9 an enticing bakkie prospect

Brawny Ram has been the direct styling influence for the Tunland V9. Picture: Charl Bosch In a fashion similar to Chery’s South African return in 2021, Foton’s market re-launch two years ago has been just as impressive if at a slower rate. Excluding its truck division, the commercial arm of locally troubled parent company BAIC, shifted 2 329 units of the Tunland G7 in its full year of sales last year.

So far this year, the G7, alongside with the new V-Series, has moved 424 units, with an average monthly offset of around 200 units. While the G7 remains its volume driver, the brawny American-styled V-Series pair of the V7 and V9 are aimed more upmarket at not only legacy brands, but also at the Great Wall Motors (GWM) P500. At just over 5.6 m long and two metres wide, the V7 and V9, known as Mars 7 and Mars 9 in China, now become the longest and widest bakkie sold in South Africa.

While essentially the same vehicle, both have different market focuses. Resembling the Ford F-150, the V7 is more the workhorse variants as it has a traditional leaf spring rear suspension and hydraulic power steering. Launched towards the end of last year, the route of just over 30km provided little opportunity to get really acquainted with either.

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The arrival of the flagship V9 LTD for the weeklong test, therefore, promised a lot, but proved underwhelming not only power-wise, but also on the durability front. Aesthetically, little discouraging is needed from describing the V9 as not being a macho looker.

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