Foton is expanding its line-up with the unveil of not one, not two, but three new offerings at its annual Big Show which is happening now until tomorrow, October 4, 2015 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. The biggest commercial vehicle manufacturer in China, Foton has quickly established itself as a formidable commercial vehicle brand in the Philippines despite being established just eight years ago. Headlining the charge is the Toplander.
Foton’s first foray into the competitive mid-sized SUV segment, the Toplander is engineered to cater to those who want a practical yet equally elegant SUV that doesn’t break the bank in terms of pricing. With two variants, 4x2 and 4x4, the Toplander is powered by a 2.8-liter Cummins ISF diesel engine generating some 160 horsepower at 3,600 rpm and 360 Nm of torque from 1,800 to 3,600 rpm. This Euro 4 certified engine is mated solely to a 5-speed manual gearbox.
Based off the rugged Thunder pickup platform, the Toplander features a sturdy body-on-frame construction with a five-link rear coil spring suspension that makes it much more comfortable for urban or on-road use. That’s not to say that the Toplander isn’t ready for extreme situations. It has 220 millimeters of ground clearance and can wade through floodwaters up to 600 millimeters deep. Furthermore, the 4x4 model is rated to climb 60 percent grades and can go through terrain with a 40-degree tilt.
Design-wise, it features Foton’s new trademark waterfall front grille, diamond-style headlights with LED daytime running lights, and side mirror turn signal indicators. It also has 265/65R17 tires at each corner. Inside, it has LED backlit gauges and all power convenience features. Dual air conditioning is standard as well. The 4x4 gets the added luxury touches of satellite audio controls and a sunroof.
In terms of safety, the Toplander comes with Dual SRS airbags, anti-lock brakes, and rear back-up sensors. The 4x4 has electronic stability program with hill start and hill descent control.
Pricing for the Toplander starts at P 998,000 for the 4x2 and top out at P 1,150,000 for the 4x4.
Key Specifications
- Engine: Cummins ISF 2.8 CRDi, 16-valve 4-cylinder
- Power: 160 horsepower @ 3,600 rpm
- Torque: 360 Nm @ 1,800 to 3,600 rpm
- Transmission: 5-speed MT
- Fuel Tank: 70 liters
- Front Suspension: Double Wishbone
- Rear Suspension: Five-Link with Coil Spring
- Front Brakes: Vented Disc
- Rear Brakes: Solid Disc
- Steering: Rack & Pinion, Power-Assist
- Tires: 265/65R17
- Dimensions (LxWxH) in mm: 4,830 x 1,910 x 1,840
- Wheelbase: 2,790 mm
- Curb Weight: 1,975 kilograms (4x2); 2,060 (4x4)
- Turning Radius: 6.25 m
- Ground Clearance: 220 mm
Love to see this on the road. More head turning coz not everybody's car.
ReplyDeleteNot everybody's car indeed because only idiots would buy this piece of crap. Wala pa 6 months tignan mo, dami ng sira niyan. Foton eh.
DeleteIkaw ang idiot. Foton's pick-up with cummins engine is a lemon - just read the reviews. Fine the engine is cummins brand but it is still made in China. And the mediocre stuff ends with the engine. Go to the suspension, interior, build quality, etc and all hell breaks lose.
DeleteThe idiot are those saying idiots. akala nyo naman magagaling sa car brand nag oobserve pag pumupunta ako sa mga showroom ang yayabang pa akala kung sino tong mga to.
DeleteThe specs and pricing looks well balanced. Test drive ko muna then decide go or no go
ReplyDeletewhahahahaha specs and pricing well balanced daw, let me guess everything else is not in balance no no no no your a foton dealer you just wanna get readers of carguide to try and test drive your products, buyers beware
ReplyDeleteIf this is reliable then it is better buy than similarly priced crosswind and adventure
ReplyDeletesome pips are to much into the big 3 japan brands which has been our household brand here. now a days there are more competitors at play offering value for money. Kia and Hyundai of Korea are one of them. For this case, Toplander has a Euro cert attached with its Cummins (US brand) engine. Also their cars are not just Asian releases like those of the Jap brands. This comes out on an international market both Toplander and Thunder. Australia and Russia(not sure) as well. Its not the brand most of the time. Its your research that gives result. a top of the line SUV of a price difference 1.1m vs 1.5m is way to far to ignore. so better do your research well.
ReplyDeleteCummins... I chuckled a bit. Haha.
DeleteCummins is patent by US (China assemble), mother fuckers. Most engine use by muscle car like DOdge Ram, Nissan Titan, GMC Silverado and Foton Motors.. both Toplander and thunder.
DeleteThey should bring in a automatic transmission model since manual transmission is not that good in manila streets anymore due to heavy traffic. It strains the legs and arms, so I'll be interested to try the toplander when a AT model comes
ReplyDeleteYes, automatic is important here in our country.
DeleteI think manual is good when it comes to driving more in the province, but even provinces have traffics already too, so mas good buy ang automatic dto sa pinas. Sana ilabas nila yun dto sooner or later pero wag nila sana malayo yng price gap sa manual version
Delete2.8 engine displacement! 160 hp @360 newton meter of torque? Wow!! how about 2.2 engine displacement, 197 hp @423 newton meter of torque?
ReplyDelete^ ^ ^ ^ ^ get a load of this guy ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ take your pick
ReplyDeletea) he works for foton
b) he mistakenly owns one now his trying to increase cred
c) so naive
d) gullible
we all know that anything coming from china figures you must divide by 2 and you'll get the true figure, and the commins diesel engine is a typo its actually "communist" diesel engine
Hi guys, watch out... made in china also med size suv name Haval, they were lunch in the austrialia earlyear this year, three new model H6,H8,H9, visit in wed site caradvice.com.au to learn more, this is good looking than toplander.
ReplyDeleteHaval and Great Wall are the same...
ReplyDeleteSaw the Haval gallery and specs. Looks interesting. Kailan kaya ito i-launch sa Pinas? Mukhang the China brands are catching up. Exciting and stressful times for the Jap brands. Very good for consumers.
ReplyDeleteCatching up in other places maybe. Here, most of the Chinese car models sell anywhere from single digits to a dozen a month when you combine the entire range. BYD for example sold only 3 units of their S6 in July, while BAIC only sold 4 units of their MZ40.
DeleteUly, can you ask for a long term tester? Say,..(1 year).
ReplyDeleteNissan Titan and Jeep wrangler are using the cummins diesel machines....?
ReplyDeleteYou want a sense of Foton build quality and durability? Ride those Foton UV Expresses. Not good.
ReplyDeletekukuha sana ako ng unit na 4x4!! kaso ginawa na palang 1298,000 na ung price dati eh 1,150,000 bakit nangyari un.. bakit di sila sumunod sa srp ang foton philippines.. tas naglabas pa cla ng executive at extreme na ung 4x2 specs nila na sabi my GPS un pala ala naman sa actual unit anu ginawa ng foton philippines wala naman sa international ung executive at extreme,, niloloko nyo ung mga taga probisya na walang internet na maeresearch kung anu ung totoong specs ng unit.. ung 4x4 na dating 1,150,000 ngaun 1,298,000 para lang mabili ung executive nilang 1,099,000 at extreme na 1,198,000..
ReplyDeleteWhat is the difference between the executive and extreme? The big question is the durability! What certain improvements did take place from the previous Foton Cars issued previous years. I heard that previous vehicles are problematic.please help me to decide. Thanks! edsan
ReplyDeleteRoof rack, cruise control, touch screen and leather seats.
Delete