The Foday Explorer is a series of compact and midsize SUVs manufactured since 2002 by Foday. The Explorer SUV series was developed based on the platform of the Mitsubishi Pajero[1] with designs heavily inspired by the first and second-generation Isuzu D-Max and Chevrolet Colorado.[2] Due to Foday Explorer's business in automotive parts and stampings, the vehicle bodies of the Foday Explorer were also sold to several manufacturers as rebadged pickups and SUVs.[3]
| Foday Explorer I/ Foday Explorer II/ Foday Explorer III | |
| Aka: | Force One (sport utility vehicle) Isuzu D-Max |
| Production: | 2002–2006 |
| Assembly: | Foshan, Guangdong (Foday) |
| Transmission: | 5 speed manual |
| Wheelbase: | 30251NaN1 |
| Length: | NaN1NaN1 |
| Width: | NaN1NaN1 |
| Height: | NaN1NaN1 |
| Weight: | 1750kg |
The Foday Explorer I gasoline-powered "Luxury Trim" was launched in January 2002 with a price of 83,800 yuan. It is available as a 7-seater configuration and is equipped with a manual transmission and a rear wheel drive powertrain.[2]
In January 2003 an additional "Ultra Luxury trim" was launched with a price of 91,800 yuan. An additional 2.2-litre naturally aspirated inline-4 engine option was added in 2004 codenamed "NHQ6480E". The engine develops a maximum 760NaN0 and 193Nm.[4] As of 2006, a 2.8-litre Turbo Diesel inline-4 engine was added and was mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. The diesel engine develops a maximum 670NaN0 and 204.5Nm.[5]
The Foday Explorer II was launched in 2005, and was developed with the cooperation of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University as an updated version of the Explorer I.[6] The engine is a 2.2-litre inline-4 engine developing 1030NaN0 mated to a 5-speed manual transmission.[7]
In February 2006, the Explorer III was launched. The Explorer III is equipped with a JX493QZ3 Isuzu-sourced turbo diesel engine while still being built on the Mitsubishi-sourced platform. The engine develops a maximum 680NaN0 at 3600 rpm and a maximum torque of 210Nm at 2300 rpm. The fuel economy is 6.5L/100km.[8]
| Foday Explorer 6 | |
| Aka: | Golden Dragon Righto V3 Kantanka Nkunimdie (Ghana) |
| Production: | 2006–2017 |
| Assembly: | Foshan, Guangdong (Foday) Ghana |
| Transmission: | 5 speed manual |
| Wheelbase: | NaN1NaN1 |
| Length: | NaN1NaN1 |
| Width: | NaN1NaN1 |
| Height: | NaN1NaN1 |
| Weight: | 1750kg |
A major facelift was conducted for the Foday Explorer series called the Explorer 6, changing the design of the front and rear of the SUV massively, with the platform still being based on the Mitsubishi design.
The entry level Explorer 6 is powered by a 2.0-litre, 1200NaN0 petrol engine and a price tag of 89,800 yuan.[9] A JMC-sourced JX493QZ3 diesel engine was also available developing 920NaN0 at 3600 rpm and 20.8kgm of torque at 2300 rpm.[10]
The Golden Dragon Righto V3 (锐度) SUV is a rebadged version of the Foday Explorer 6 produced by Golden Dragon.[11] The Righto V3 debuted in May 2013 on a bus show in Fuzhou, Fujian Province. The Chinese name of the Righto V3 is Ruidu V3. The manufacturer, Golden Dragon or Xiamen Golden Dragon Bus is from Xiamen in Fujian Province, and is a subsidiary of King Long United Automotive Industry Corporation from Xiamen.[12]
Golden Dragon and Foday have a license-agreement for the Righto V3 with Foday producing the base-car with chassis and bodywork, and shipping it to Golden Dragon for final assembly. Engine of the Righto V3 is a 1020NaN0 2.0-litre petrol engine and the same 950NaN0 2.8-litre diesel engine shared by the Foday Explorer 6. Gearbox of the Righto V3 is a 5-speed manual transmission.