The Foton Tunland V Series range of pick-up trucks is set to enter the Malaysian market with the Tunland V7 and Tunland V9, and these are claimed to be the first hybrid turbodiesel pick-up trucks in Malaysia when they make their market debut next month.
If the name seems familiar, it has appeared on a pick-up truck model from 2012 that would make its way to the Malaysian market, albeit renamed the Bison Savanna for its Malaysian market introduction in 2013.
Handal BCM is the exclusive importer and assembler of Foton products in Malaysia, and the company has been given approval for the importation and local assembly (CKD) of the upcoming Tunland V7 and Tunland V9 pick-up trucks. The initial batch will be fully imported (CBU) units which are expected to arrive in Malaysia in mid-May, while local assembly will begin in Q4 2026 in Johor, said the company.
In Malaysia, the Tunland models are estimated to be priced from RM128,888 for the Tunland V7, to RM148,888 for the Tunland V9, with warranty coverage of seven years or 200,000 km. Both are powered by a 2.0 litre mild-hybrid turbodiesel engine, paired with a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission, with six drive modes offered, according to the company.
Foton claims a fuel consumption of between 8.0 to 10.0 litres per 100 km, which brings fuel range of up to 950 km per tank. Both models are rated for a 3.5-tonne towing capacity and a one-tonne payload, and are claimed to offer the largest cargo tray in their class with a black spray-on cargo tray liner.
The Tunland V9 gets multi-link coil spring rear suspension for comfort and stability, while the Tunland V7 gets a leaf spring arrangement that is more typical of the pick-up truck segment. Rolling stock for both the Tunland V7 and V9 are 18-inch alloy wheels shod in all-terrain tyres.
Based on the brochure for the V series double-cab range for the South African market, both the V7 and V9 have identical exterior dimensions, at 5,617 mm long, 2,090 mm wide and 1,955 mm tall with a wheelbase of 3,355 mm. Cargo bay dimensions are identical too, at 1,577 mm by 1,650 mm by 530 mm; ditto ground clearance, at 240 mm for both models.
The South African market models – which the incoming Malaysian market models are likely to follow in terms of powertrain – get a Aucan 2.0 litre turbodiesel with 48-volt mild-hybrid assistance, producing 120 kW (163 PS) and 450 Nm. Fuel tank capacity for both models is 76 litres.
Both the Tunland V7 and V9 will come to Malaysia with Level 2+ ADAS and a 360-degree camera suite, according to Handal BCM.
Referencing the South African market, both models get forward collision warning, lane departure warning, pedestrian collision warning and drowsy driving monitoring. The higher-spec V9 adds AEB, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, lane centring control, traffic sign recognition, traffic jam assist and intelligent cruise assist.
For the Malaysian market, the Foton Tunland V9 and V7 mild-hybrid turbodiesel pick-up trucks are set for launch next month, and these will come to market initially as fully imported (CBU) units before local assembly (CKD) commences in Johor in the fourth quarter of this year.
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