While auto manufacturers scramble to come up with the best multi-seating capacity vehicle while still maintaining the feel of a car (and not a bus), Foton Motors Philippines decided that it was time to tackle the issue head-on and come out with a van that can seat ten people comfortably.

Introduced at the last Manila International Auto Show (MIAS), the Foton MP-X is a ten-seater van that has the amenities of a Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) without the pretensions of keeping it automobile-like-- the very thing that hampers performance in most of the country’s SUVs today.

To begin with, it is quite long (about 15.7 feet) but not long enough to be classified as a bus, wide enough to give elbow room to passengers (about 6 feet wide) and high enough to allow comfortable access to the back seats (about 6.4 feet high).

The design of the Foton MP-X is sleek and mainstream, giving it a modern look in tune with the times. The lines are forward-moving and this is accentuated by a double side sliding door for easier access to the inside.

The Foton MP-X is powered by a 2.8-liter inline-4 CRDi Turbo Diesel Engine that is a force water-cooled and direct-injection turbo diesel. This powerhouse packs a torque of 200 Newton-meters at 2300 revolutions per minute (rpm) and is pulled on by a 5-speed manual transmission.

The MP-X is mounted on a Lotus designed chassis handled by a torsion bar, double arm independent front suspension and supported at the rear by independent suspensions. For safety, the MP-X has Antilock Brake System and Electronic Brake Distribution plus Hydraulic Dual Circuits. The car also has a curb weight of 1960 kilograms and a gross vehicle weight of 2580 kilograms. It moves on 205/70 R14 tires for added driving comfort.

The MP-X also has powering steering with a collapsible steering column, a glass mounted antennae and driver side airbags. Add to these, the car has power windows, keyless entry and power door locks. The in-car entertainment system includes an In Dash CD player stereo system, an internal and external temperature indicator and that very helpful back-up sensor that now has a distance indicator.

Foton is working closely with companies like Daimler Chrysler, Mercedes Benz, Cummins, Bosch and Lotus to acquire the latest technology in automobiles. Foton Motors Co. also carries a number of commercial vehicles, including the very successful Blizzard pick-up, Mini-Couch (a small van), the View (used widely as an ambulance) and a series of trucks like the Tornado, Cyclone, Hurricane, Wind, the cyclone 4x4 Dump and the business van Multi-Purpose Vehicle.

For more information, please visit www.foton.com.ph