Pretoria - Foton SA has added two new single cab Off-Road workhorse derivatives to its existing Tunland line-up of four double cab one-tonners.
The new derivatives don't have all-wheel drive but a limited-slip differential and 220mm of ground clearance, courtesy of a rugged ladder-frame chassis with double-wishbone coil-spring front and load-capable leaf-spring rear suspension, make them well suited to operating in rough conditions such as found on farms, construction sites and the like.
AMERICAN MUSCLE
More importantly, thanks to a joint-venture engine plant in China with the iconic American engine manufacturer, the Tunland is the only one-ton bakkie on the South African market fitted with the proven Cummins 2.8-litre ISF intercooled turbo four, rated at 96kW and 280Nm, driving the rear wheels via a five-speed manual 'box and the aforementioned LSD.
That's muscle enough for an 1130kg payload, or a braked trailer of up to 2.5 tons. It's also Euro IV-compliant, and returns claimed fuel-consumption of eight litres per 100km in the combined cycle, which gives an impressive range from its 75-litre fuel tank.
COMFORT ZONE
Tough as they are, however, these are not your basic bakkies; standard kit includes air conditioning, power windows, a multi-function steering wheel, a radio/CD/MP3 player with AUX and USB audio inputs, as well as Bluetooth connectivity, and 16" alloy rims.
Safety equipment ranges from dual front airbags and antilocking brakes with electronic brake-force distribution to motion-sensing door locks, height-adjustable halogen headlights, height-adjustable seat belts with pre-tensioners, and an alarm linked to a remote central locking system.
And for a few rands more (R10 000 to be exact) the Luxury version comes with a cosmetic roll bar, tonneau cover, sidesteps and a nudge bar.
PRICES
Tunland 2.8 ISF Comfort single cab - R239 950
Tunland 2.8 ISF Luxury single cab - R249 950
The Tunland single-cab comes fully-assembled from the new multi-function Foton plant in Beijing and is covered by a three-year or 100 000km warranty and three years' roadside assistance.