New spy shots showing the upcoming Foton U201 SUV. The new SUV will be launched on the Chinese car market late this year, debut is expected for the Guangzhou Auto Show in November. The U201 is based on the Foton Tunland pickup truck but will be positioned higher upmarket, priced will start around 130.000 yuan.

The Foton Tunland. Price ranges from 137.000 yuan to 148.800 yuan. Power comes from a Cummins 2.8 liter turbo diesel with 130hp and 360nm, mated to a 5-speed manual. The U201 will ditch the diesel in favor of a 2.0 turbo petrol four-cylinder. Diesels are forbidden in most Chinese cities and the city is exactly where Foton hopes to sell most U201 SUV′s.

Foton is a subsidiary of Beijing Auto Industry Corporation (BAIC), making mostly commercial vehicles. Foton wants to go into passenger car business where profits are fatter. The U201 is one of the cars that has to make the breakthrough. The U201 is comparable in style and size with the Jiangling Yusheng SUV.

The U201 seems a rather good looking car, clean lines all over, just a but bust at the front, but this is China… When the engine is reasonably modern and the price reasonably good, Foton might just as well sell quite a few.

Sporty dials for sure, manual gearbox here, Foton logo in blue on the wheel.