Imposing American-styled new Foton bakkies arriving in November

Approved for South Africa just over a year ago following it return to the local market, Foton has released the first teaser images of both the V7 and V9 bakkies.

Confirmed to launch next month, the step-ups from the Tunland G7 will only be offered in double cab bodystyles, and seemingly powered by a mild-hybrid version of the same 2.0-litre Cummins co-developed turbodiesel engine as the Tunland.

What to expect

Known at home at the Mars 7 and Mars 9, the pair have been restyled to resemble the Ford F-150 and Ram 1500 respectively, while also differing dimensionally and underneath their respective skins.

For the V7, this amounts to an overall length of 5 797 mm, height of 1 910 mm, width of 2 090 mm and wheelbase of 3 505 mm.

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In the case of the V9, Foton has reduced its overall length to 5 617 mm and width to 2 000 mm, while upping its height to 2 090 mm and stretching its wheelbase to 3 355 mm.

Both are set to have a ground clearance of 240 mm, the ability to tow 3 500 kg and offer no less than two locking differentials on models fitted with the BorgWarner-sourced part-time four-wheel drive system.

In China, transmission comprise either a six-speed or the ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic, though it remains to be seen whether both will be offered locally.

Underneath, and in the biggest change, the V7 uses a traditional leaf spring design for the rear suspension, while the V9 employs a coil spring setup similar to the Nissan Navara.

In what will only be the second mild-hybrid bakkie in South Africa after the Toyota Hilux 48V, the electrified oil-burner outputs 120kW/450Nm in both models.

While final specification is still to be determined, known items available elsewhere include heated and ventilated electric front seats, a 14.6-inch infotainment system, up to 18-inch alloy wheels, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a panoramic sunroof.