Besides the soon-to-be-launched Tunland V7 and V9, Foton is also displaying the electric eTunland at the Malaysia Commercial Vehicle Expo (MCVE), held at the Mines International Exhibition and Convention Centre (MIECC). Unlike its other siblings, there are currently no plans to introduce this particular pick-up, with distributor Handal BCM using the show as an opportunity to gauge public demand.
The eTunland is based on the smaller Tunland G7 – i.e. the original Tunland – and is around 300 mm shorter than the V7 and V9, meaning that its size is far more in line with one-tonne competitors like the Toyota Hilux – now also available in EV form. Measuring 5,340 mm long, 1,940 mm wide and 1,870 mm tall, it’s 20 mm longer, 85 mm wider and 25 mm taller than the new Hilux EV, while its 3,110 mm wheelbase is 25 mm longer.
Of course, the eTunland is nowhere near as modern as the latest ninth-generation Hilux. The basic structure has existed in some form or another since 2011, with the electric version arriving in 2022. At the very least, this era of Foton truck came before the company decided to slavishly copy Ford and Ram’s full-size pick-ups with the V7 and V9 (okay, maybe the rear end is a bit too similar to the Nissan Navara, but that’s about it).
It’s clear that the eTunland was designed as a work truck first and foremost – the slim headlights still come with halogen projectors (although there are LED daytime running lights in the bumper), while the hexagonal grille is finished in plain black plastic, just with the massive chrome Foton script and blue lines that demarcate this truck as an electric one. The “OTO” centre section flips up to reveal the charging port, and the whole nondescript look is finished off by 17-inch silver alloy wheels.
The show unit features the G7’s latest interior design that is rather reminiscent of the pre-facelifted Mercedes-Benz GLE, sporting triple chrome-trimmed rectangular centre air-con vents and a widescreen panel housing twin 12.3-inch displays for instrumentation and infotainment. The piano black centre console is equipped with an electronic gear selector and parking brake, a four-way rotary controller, a split-opening armrest compartment and a single solitary cupholder.
Being an older truck, the eTunland isn’t exactly stacked with kit – while there is a six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, faux leather upholstery, tilt and telescopic steering wheel adjustment, Apple CarPlay and a reverse camera, you get just four speakers and manual air con with rear vents. Interestingly enough, however, rear passengers receive their own air con controls, which even the V7 an V9 don’t get.
The eTunland is available with a single-motor 4×2 powertrain with outputs of 177 PS (130 kW) and 350 Nm of torque. An 88.6 kWh CATL LFP battery provides a range of 360 km on the WLTP cycle, which is over 100 km further than the Hilux EV. It only supports up to 70 kW of DC fast charging, however, so topping up from 20 to 80% takes a yawning 36 minutes, while a full charge at an AC wallbox charger takes ten hours.
The truck you see here is the dual-motor 4×4 variant, which produces a sum total of 340 PS (250 kW) and 526 Nm. No WLTP range figure for this one, but the more lenient CLTC produces 505 km. Curiously, while other EV trucks use either fully- or semi-independent suspension at the back, the eTunland’s rear motor is hung off the differential of a solid rear axle, and it still uses leaf springs. Despite this, however, the payload rating has taken a serious hit, with the bed only able to carry 525 kg.
Safety-wise, the eTunland can be had with up to six airbags (this particular unit has just two) to go with its stability control and hill descent control. There is also an available forward collision warning system, but with no autonomous emergency braking functionality.
