Foton EST-M

On the inside too, the Foton EST-M tries to look appealing with its wide themed curved dashboard layout, which is spread across the whole width of the cabin, while focused towards the driver side.

The large four-spoke steering wheel, as well as boxy looking instrument console of the Foton EST-M, might look conventional. However, the center console of the dashboard here has got proportional-looking rectangular-shaped panels for AC controls, 1-DIN audio system, switchboards and small storage panels.

There is a neatly positioned flatbed behind the front seats, which also gets a couple of bottle holders between them, along with the transmission lever. 

The Foton EST-M, like a majority of the heavy-duty commercial trucks available in the country, focuses keenly on the factor of function over form. However, Foton has done a sufficient job in making the EST-M look decent and modern enough to withstand the current competition, without appearing dated.

The front profile of the Foton EST-M looks quite large when viewed head-on, with the large rectangular windshield with rounded edges covering almost half of the front profile of the truck. There is a long and sleek trapezoidal bar running across the width of the windshield below it, which has mounts for the windshield wipers.

The front grille of the Foton EST-M, which is quite large in design, is split into two halves. The upper half is placed on the front apron and has been shaped in the form of a trapezium, with a round Foton logo sitting in the middle of it. The lower second half of the grille is placed on the front bumper with a V-type design.

Just below the grille, there is a wide trapezoidal air duct in the center of the front bumper. The outer edges of the lower part of the grille come fixed with nicely styled headlamps, which do accommodate cool-looking daytime running LEDs. The shark fin shaped fog lamps on the lower corners of the front bumper complete the front look of the Foton EST-M.

The side profile of the driver cabin of the Foton EST-M, just like many of the commercial trucks available, has side windows with tapering down shoulder line and A-pillar mounted rear view mirrors. The semi-squared flared wheel arches with rounded edges come with tough-looking body cladding.

With a payload capacity of 13,060 kg, the Foton EST-M is quite a heavy load hauler for its segment, which is one of the topmost priorities one looks after while going for a heavy-duty commercial truck. The Foton EST-M has a dump box capacity of 9 CBM and rides on six 22.5 inches wheels. 

Powering the Foton EST-M is a large and torquey ISB-220-40 inline six-cylinder, water-cooled, four-stroke, direct injection, turbocharged, intercooled diesel engine. This engine displaces 5900cc and pumps out a maximum power output of 220 PS at 2500rpm.

For a heavy-duty commercial truck, the Foton EST-M is decently equipped with a few modern-day safety essentials like ABS with EBD, anti-slip regulator, collision mitigation system, collapsible steering column, and strategically placed outer rearview mirrors which manage to serve the purpose of the rear camera.

The Foton EST-M might not have the unquestionable long-term proven reliability of a traditional Japanese or American heavy-duty commercial truck. However, it manages to impress with its specifications on paper, which quite frankly, reflects well in the real world conditions as well. The modern design and decent equipment list are welcoming bits in the overall functional package of the Foton EST-M.