Zahav unveils Tunland Picku into Nigeria

Zahav Automobile Company Nigeria Limited, local assemblers of Foton Tunland pickup trucks and latest addition to the Stallion automobile portfolio has entered the local automotive utility market with the end of offering choices to prospective fleet and individual shoppers.

The dealership located on the automotive highway of Lagos urged emerging businesses and commercial ventures not to wander afar in search for functional and reasonably priced pickup trucks as it unveiled the all new ‘Drive beyond borders’ Foton Tunland pickup.

A part of the Stallion Group, Zahav Automobile is the assemblers and marketers of Foton Tunland pickup trucks and Chinese engineered BAIC, Changan and Stallion badge automobiles.

Addressing the motoring press at company’s new showroom in Kofo Abayomi/Akin Adesola Street – Victoria Island Lagos, Zahav’s head of sales and marketing, Sanjay Rupani said Foton Tunland pickup was introduced to assuage some of the challenges small businesses and commercial ventures contend with when prospecting for functional and adaptable vehicle to support their businesses.

“The next generation Foton Tunland pickup would compete in the one tone vehicle segment where renowned brands like Toyota Hilux, Nissan NP300, Ford Ranger and Mitsubishi L200 have demonstrated utter competence,” Rupani assured.

He said: “Tunland is Foton’s signature of next generation pickup truck exclusively designed to offer impressive visibility and extraordinary driving experience.”

Also adding that Tunland is a perfect choice for both work and leisure, Rupani said: “though Tunland could be of Chinese extraction, the vehicle essentially shares the DNA of two renowned automobile manufacturers made up of Daimler Automotive Company and Cummins Engine Company.

Ergonomically designed, the 1.5 tonne Foton Tunland pickup truck is a perfect mix of style and practicality with attractive truck lines like the American and Japanese styled cars aimed to woo discerning drivers who want exceptionally fashionable kind of truck.

Tunland is currently marketed as the strongest Chinese pickup in its class even though it looks less Chinese save for the silver coated fancy radiator grille. Front bumper is certainly an eye catcher and comes with a fluid design; fitted with a set of circular fog lamps and a big trapezoidal air intake which enhances the aggressive look.

Along the sides, are classical oversized wheel arches, which are now a common trait among pickups and, at the back is a pair of triangular shaped taillights that distinguishes Tunland from competitors. A peep inside the cockpit reveals upscale styling with winged shaped dashboard and ergonomic three-spoke-steering-wheel with plenty of space on the first row seats, and ample leg and headroom for both the driver and passengers.

The rear bench is pretty spacious and inadvertently compares to the Toyota Hilux and Ford Ranger pickups. Every control is placed intuitively without necessarily clustering the centre dash and the instrument gauges are easily read both at night and day time. The materials and plastics are also elegantly equipped with a no-nonsense instrument panel layout.

The seats are similarly comfortable with plenty adjustments to help you find your favourite driving positions in no time. This is in addition to the all around visibility with big lateral mirrors that ensures confidence.

Standard equipment includes two front airbags, ABS, 16 inch steel rim fitted on 245/70/16 tyres; air-conditioning, fabric seats, power exterior mirrors, two-speaker single CD tuner and auxiliary audio input jack.

Tunland is powered by powerful 100Kw Mitsubishi 2.4 gasoline (petrol) engine, the strongest in its class with displacements below 3.0 and maximum output of 200Nm (2500-300) which is appreciably higher compared to similar products. This feature gives the vehicle an edge in harsh road conditions.

Powertrain is based on a modular design concept while its engine is 10% lighter than the ones used in similar pickup trucks to ensure extremely low noise and vibration levels with considerable maintenance cost.

The application of the latest technology such as ECU (Electronic Control Unit) which uses SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) and EGR (Exhaust Gas Recirculation) technologies makes the engine extremely eco-friendly by employing precise measurement and control mechanisms of intake of air and combustion process to reduce pollution substantially.

Rupani explained that Tunland five-speed manual gearbox offers decent performances with pretty smooth turns to allow the vehicle pull heavy weights without sacrificing vigour. It comes equipped with electronic switches for auxiliary 4WD system with options to choose from 4H & 4L that allows you to choose the suitable mode according to different road conditions while the 2H mode is normal on road use.

Suspensions are toughened to absorb difficult bumps and carry big loads without sacrificing performance just as the braking power is secured by disc at the front and drums at the rear, Rupani said.

Also adding that adequate preparation has been made for aftermarket activities, the company sales and marketing helmsman said “We have stocked sufficient parts to cater for aftermarket activities and Foton Tunland particularly is backed by three years or 100, 000km warranty.”