Foton General G7

Vehicle Overview

The Foton General G7 is a premium passenger-oriented pick-up truck under Foton Pickup, officially launched on 12 January 2022. Positioned below the flagship General G9, the G7 serves as a key pillar in the Foton General line-up, targeting the RM150,000-class mid-to-high-end pick-up truck segment. The model is available with a choice of petrol and diesel engines, paired with 6-speed manual and 8-speed automatic transmissions, 4x2 and 4x4 drivetrains, as well as standard and long bed variants. The official retail price ranges from RM114,800 to RM165,800 (2022 model). Built around a "high-end passenger-oriented" philosophy, the General G7 blends the utility of a pick-up, the comfort of a passenger car, and the rugged capability of an off-roader to cater to a diverse mix of commercial and lifestyle buyers.

Design Language

On the styling front, the Foton General G7 showcases a bold combination of modern Guochao design cues and rugged, muscular lines. The front fascia draws inspiration from Great Wall beacon towers, sporting a massive rectangular smoked radiator grille accented with red FOTON lettering. The headlamp assemblies feature a smoked finish with a visual signature reminiscent of the Toyota Hilux, complemented by distinct circular fog lamps integrated into the front bumper. Along the sides, the muscular profile is accentuated by blacked-out alloy wheels, prominent wheel arch claddings, steel side steps, and dedicated off-road trim pieces. In terms of dimensions, standard wheelbase (SWB) and long wheelbase (LWB) configurations are available: the SWB variant measures 5,340 × 1,980 × 1,885 mm with a 3,110 mm wheelbase, while the LWB version stretches to 5,630 mm in length with a 3,400 mm wheelbase. The generous 1,980 mm body width significantly enhances high-speed stability and payload capacity.

Inside, the General G7 features a horizontally structured, multi-layered cockpit design. It is offered in dual-tone interior palettes such as Navy Blue + Beige or Blue & White, creating a distinctly upscale cabin ambience. The dashboard is trimmed in soft-touch materials and is equipped with a 7-inch colour LCD instrument cluster and a 10.25-inch floating infotainment touchscreen. A three-spoke multifunction steering wheel, leather seats, keyless entry, and engine push-start button are fitted as standard across the range. Overall, the refined and modern cabin design moves away from the utilitarian impression of conventional workhorse pick-ups.

Powertrain and Performance

The General G7 is offered with two engine options: petrol and diesel. The petrol variant is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged engine (model 4G20TI5) generating 175 kW (238 PS) and 360 Nm of torque. The diesel version employs a Cummins-derived Aucan 2.0-litre turbodiesel unit (model 4F20TC), delivering 120 kW (163 PS) and 390 Nm of torque. Transmission options include a 6-speed manual and a ZF 8-speed automatic transmission (8AT). Drivetrain layouts are available in rear-wheel drive (4x2) and four-wheel drive (4x4). Fuel requirements specify RON 92 petrol for the petrol model and standard Euro-spec diesel for the diesel variant.

Chassis and Handling

Underneath, the General G7 utilizes a robust ladder-frame body-on-frame chassis. Suspension is handled by a front double-wishbone independent setup and a heavy-duty rear leaf spring non-independent arrangement. Steering is managed by a hydraulic power steering system. The 4x4 variants feature a BorgWarner four-wheel-drive system paired with an Eaton differential lock, delivering strong off-road traction and recovery capabilities. The braking setup consists of front ventilated discs and rear solid discs, accompanied by an Electronic Parking Brake (EPB). It rides on 265/60 R18 tyres and comes with a full-size spare tyre. In terms of cargo bed capacity, the standard bed measures 1,520 mm in length, 1,580 mm in width, and 440 mm in height.

Cabin and Equipment

In terms of in-cabin technology, the General G7 is equipped with the latest 4G-enabled T-LINK telematics system, integrating remote vehicle control, connected navigation, real-time communications, and one-touch emergency assistance. The system also supports AI intelligent voice recognition for hands-free vehicle operations. Higher-spec variants add a 10.25-inch colour display, a 360-degree surround-view camera, an integrated driving video recorder (DVR), and BeiDou + GPS dual-mode navigation. Comfort amenities fitted as standard across the range include a reverse camera, cruise control, an electric sunroof, power-adjustable wing mirrors, and automatic climate control. The range-topping trims further gain a 6-way power-adjustable driver's seat, heated front seats, automatic headlights, rain-sensing wipers, a PM2.5 cabin air purification system, a 6-speaker audio setup, and dynamic 7-colour ambient lighting.

Safety and Driver Assistance

On the safety front, the General G7 comes equipped with dual front airbags, front side airbags, side curtain airbags, and pre-tensioner seatbelts across all seating positions. Active safety systems fitted as standard across the range include Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA/EBA), Traction Control System (ASR/TCS), and Electronic Stability Programme (ESP/DSC). Higher-grade models add advanced safety features such as Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Pedestrian Collision Warning (PCW), Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM), and Lane Change Assist (LCA). Cruise control is standard across all variants, while high-spec trims benefit from a 360-degree surround-view camera. The cargo bed is also equipped with a factory roll bar and a protective bedliner coating to enhance durability and safety during haulage.

Market Performance and Reception

Priced between RM114,800 and RM165,800, the General G7 is positioned as a direct competitor to the Great Wall Poer (RM97,800–RM289,800). In 2022, Foton Pickup recorded an approximate 26% year-on-year growth in overall insurance registrations; in October 2022, Foton Pickup became the first Chinese pick-up brand to cross the 500,000-unit milestone in cumulative production and sales. Beyond its domestic market, the General G7 is also exported to global markets such as Russia under the "Tunland G7" moniker. Owner feedback has consistently praised its robust powertrain performance (noting the refined calibration and smooth shifts of the 2.0T + ZF 8AT pairing), premium interior fit and finish, and spacious seating room. Conversely, some owners have pointed out higher fuel consumption and slightly snug rear-seat legroom. Overall, as a high-end passenger-oriented pick-up, the Foton General G7 demonstrates strong market appeal through its bold exterior styling, dual 2.0T petrol and turbodiesel powertrains, ZF 8AT gearbox, and extensive smart and safety features, establishing itself as a key contender in Foton's expansion into the lifestyle pick-up market.