Story & photos by Ronald Rey M. de los Reyes
THE Cummins of Columbus, Indiana, has been Foton’s engine building partner for 13 years now. In fact, Cummins, itself has been around since 1930 and has already made a name for itself.
Now, they’re deeply adamant and ever eager to further level up their technology with the latest 2.8-liter Blue Energy Euro-4 compliant diesel engine with a six-speed automatic transmission—which suits Foton’s newest Toplander.
This particular ISF (Interact System F) Blue Energy 2.8-liter SOHC 16-valve inline-4 intercooler turbodiesel engine bringing the 2018 Toplander to life is said to be the most efficient in its class—due primarily to its sheer brawn despite its light weight. It produces 161 hp at 3,600 rpm and 360 N-m at 1,800-3,600 rpm max torque.
For the uninitiated, the ISF’s advanced thermal engineering gives the engine a green light to smoothly deliver high torque and power, even in scorching temperatures—and even in the absence of large cooling packages. Not to mention its Bosch-computerized high-pressure CRDi, turbocharged intake system, exhaust gas recirculating system and diesel oxidation catalyst all push it to produce cleaner fuel as it burns while reducing noxious emissions and other wastes.
With this in mind, this writer was lucky to take this latest blue-colored Foton Toplander 4×2 EX with its new Blue Energy Cummins engine technology for a spin one weekend.
At the onset, this debonaire’s ground clearance measures 220 millimeters while its wading depth is at 600 mm—making it perfect for Philippine roads.
Upfront, its snout sports a rather small grill while fenders and curves on the side paired with the right quality of sharp arches make it sexy and appealing. At the back, its angled D-pillar and rear roof spoiler do add more to that slick panache. The 17-inch alloy wheels and its bright blue tone all the more serve as icing on the cake—hence, making this stunner stand out on the road.
Inside, it’s still the typical Foton of old except for some improvements in leather material and certain boosts in entertainment and functionality, such as cruise control, rain-sensing wipers, dual zone climate control, reverse parking camera and reverse parking sensors, adjustable lumbar support for the driver’s seat, touchscreen infotainment with AM/FM radio, six speakers, Bluetooth audio, USB, aux, iPod interface and SD.
It’s now quieter engine, more refined NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) levels plus active drive modes: D1 for default, or normal, S1 for Sport and an icon for Eco result to a better driving experience.
Overall, with this Foton Toplander’s new “Blue” engine, this scribe would recommend that this dashing beast is definitely a “must-drive.” Moreso, with its price of about P1.4 million compared to its other competitors in its segment—not to mention together with all its amenities—it can even perhaps be a “must-own.”
Image credits: Ronald Rey M. de los Reyes