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The Tunland Passes Extreme Test With Flying Colours

The Tunland Passes Extreme Test With Flying Colours

Date: 2012-10-17
Baboon's Pass in Lesotho is not for the faint-hearted. In fact, it is 26 km of the toughest, most fearsome and most demanding "roads" in Southern Africa, and can make or break the reputation of any 4x4 vehicle - as more than one of the established manufacturers have discovered when attempting this treacherous rock-strewn mountain pass.

It is this extreme challenge of man and machine that Foton SA recently took on to prove to themselves - and the South African 4x4 community - that the recently launched Foton Tunland bakkie will be more than a match for any of the premium bakkies currently being marketed in the country. The Tunland passed this first acid test in Southern Africa with flying colours to prove it will be a worthy challenger to the current top-line bakkie ranges.

"We know the Tunland is good enough to compete head-on with the established brands, but we needed a way in which to prove this fact to the South African public," said the managing director of Foton SA, Brett Soso. Our choice fell on the infamous Baboon's Pass in Lesotho, as this stretch of 'road' is feared by all in the 4x4 community and to conquer it, you need a vehicle that is not only extremely capable off-road, but also tough, strong and reliable.

The high-end Tunland, powered by a state-of-the-art Cummins turbo-diesel engine, is the culmination of an extensive research and development programme which involved experts representing more than 30 major component suppliers from all over the world.

"All indications, following extensive local testing and evaluation are that it is going to be a worthy rival, on- and off-road for the likes of the Toyota Hilux, Volkswagen Amarok, Ford Ranger and the Nissan Navara," added Soso. The gruelling Foton Expedition up Baboon's Pass has proved that the Tunland designers and engineers got it right. Apart from the sheer incline, dizzying drops and loose underfoot conditions, the majority of obstacles are made up of huge rocks and boulders, which require the utmost in power, traction and stability.

After making it to the top of Baboon's Pass, a relieved Brett Soso said: "I am absolutely delighted. We had heard horror stories of proven vehicles that didn't make it in this demanding terrain and after seeing what the last part of the pass had in store for us, I was afraid that we were going to add our names to that list. However, the Tunlands simply kept going!"

Come down to Foton Umhlanga and take part in the Arrive and Drive day on Saturday the 20th of October and take a Tunland for a test drive. Call them on 031 570 4700 or pop into their showroom at 1 - 3 Meridian Drive and get behind the wheel of a Tunland.