Foton revealed the Tunland V9 PHEV double-cab bakkie on Thursday, 29 October, at the BAIC Foton Africa Partners Conference in Gqeberha. Foton's local arm has confirmed the PHEV will be available in South Africa from early next year, CAR Magazine reports, and The Citizen says it will go on sale in early 2027, although no exact launch date was confirmed. Foton has not announced a price.

CAR Magazine names the BYD Shark 6 and the Chery Grootman as its main rivals.

Drivetrain

According to Engineering News, the Tunland V9 PHEV combines a 2-litre turbo petrol engine with front and rear electric motors and a four-speed dedicated hybrid transmission (DHT), for a total output of 350 kW and up to 800 Nm. The Citizen gives the petrol engine's own output as 140 kW and 320 Nm.

Engineering News and The Citizen put the battery at about 32.8 kWh, which The Citizen says is larger than the Shark 6's 29.5 kWh pack. CAR Magazine quotes 32.85 kWh, along with a 0–100 km/h time of 7.9 seconds.

Electric range is not settled

The reports differ on how far it can go on electricity alone: Engineering News quotes up to 110 km, while CAR Magazine and The Citizen give 100 km. None of the South African reports says which test cycle the electric figure uses, though Australian site truckadvice reports that Foton's global release of 25 September gave 100 km on the WLTC cycle. Until Foton South Africa publishes local data, both figures should be treated as claims.

Engineering News puts the combined range at 1 000 km on the WLTC cycle. CAR Magazine quotes fuel use of 2.0 L/100 km with a charged battery and 11.7 L/100 km with a low battery, without naming a test cycle. That gap shows how much running costs depend on plugging in.

On charging, Engineering News reports a fast charge to 80% in half an hour, and The Citizen specifies 30% to 80% in 30 minutes. A 220 V outlet lets owners power tools or camping gear.

Size and capability

According to the reports:

  • it is 5 617 mm long and 2 090 mm wide, with a 3 355 mm wheelbase
  • the load box measures 1 580 × 1 650 × 500 mm
  • ground clearance is 250 mm and wading depth is 800 mm
  • it can tow 3 500 kg (CAR Magazine)

The Citizen describes a Ram-inspired look with LED headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels, PHEV badges on the front doors and a second charging flap, and says 10 colours will be offered, including Ridge Grey, Crater Black and Dune Gold.

Price and local production

CAR Magazine and The Citizen both expect the PHEV to cost more than the R799 900 Tunland V9 LTD diesel. The Citizen also offers a comparison: the JAC T9 PHEV has a 31.2 kWh battery and 360 kW and 674 Nm.

Engineering News reports that Foton started assembling vehicles from kits (CKD) at its Gqeberha plant this year, and that the plant can build about 50 000 units a year. The publication also reports that BAIC Foton International president Wu Zongtian said the company aims to be the leading commercial-vehicle brand in South Africa and Africa, with targets of 30 000 units in South Africa and 110 000 across the continent in 2030.

What happens next

CAR Magazine and The Citizen expect sales to start in early 2027. Before then, Foton still has to confirm the South African price, equipment levels and official electric range.