Latest news with #TLX
The Citizen
27-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Foton's most accessible Tunland 4x4 has merit despite flaws
Although pricier than its immediate rivals, the TLX grade counters with more spec and power, yet requires finessing for the next step up. On first glance, little differentiates the mid-grade TLX from the entry-level Tunland TL. Images: Charl Bosch Sampling two largely identical products from a manufacturer back-to-back seldom happens, but when it does, the differences are often noticeable. Case in point, returning Chinese commercial vehicle brand Foton who supplied The Citizen with two variants of its double cab Tunland G7 bakkie for the weeklong test. The step-up Whereas the first encounter had been with the entry-level, two-wheel-drive TL priced at R399 900, the swap for the second variant involved the mid-spec TLX equipped with the industry benchmark ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic gearbox. In addition to the self-shifter replacing the six-speed manual, the TLX opens the Tunland G7's four-wheel-drive portfolio by placing below the flagship Limited as the most accessible all-paw gripping derivative. Compared to the TL, the inclusion of the part-time all-wheel-drive system and two-pedal transmission has resulted in the Tunland G7 becoming one of the pricier Chinese entrants with a sticker of R559 900. ALSO READ: Most basic Foton Tunland not perfect but strong value package While still substantially undercutting comparative models from Toyota, Ford and Isuzu, the TLX finds itself being noticeably more premium than not only the top-spec JAC T8 Super Lux, but also the Elite version of the LDV T60 and the ever-popular Mahindra Pik Up S11 Karoo. Having come away disappointed but also impressed with the TL, the weeklong stay with the TLX came with slightly more promise from not only the highly regarded 'box, but also bolstered features list and more powerful engine attributed as the reasons for its loftier price. Look closely Aesthetically, and besides the change in colour from the TL's grey to what Foton calls Bright Moon White, the TLX hasn't undergone any external changes right down to the retention of the halogen headlights and daytime running LEDs. In fact, only a 4×4 decal on the tailgate differentiates it from the TL. However, given that the rear-wheel-drive TLX lacks this, it could be argued that slightly more visual enhancements could have been applied to set it apart from its lesser sibling. As such, the TLX retains the 17-inch alloy wheels, side-steps, FOTON block lettering on the grille and front fog lamps – all already standard on the TL. Despite being the step-up from the TL, the TLX's rear facia has not received any model specific changes. Essentially a single model, externally that is, the mixture of Toyota Hilux, Nissan Navara and Mercedes-Benz X-Class styling elements harks back to the 'copy-and-paste' design attitude the majority of Chinese brands have since let go of. While still oddly proportionally given the loadbin appearing shorter than the bonnet, the Tunland G7 TLX is anything but a dullard. However, given how rapidly products from the People's Republic have progressed, a more distinctive 'in-house Foton look' would have gone a step further to dispel the 'copycat' connotations. Interior impresses more Where the opposite continues to apply is the Tunland's interior. With the fitting of the automatic box, the centre console has been redesigned with the result of the cabin, appearing more expensive and arguably worth its price premium. As with the TL, the dual 12.3-inch displays for the instrument cluster and infotainment system remain, however, imitation leather upholstery replaces the cloth trim on the seats. The upgrade in specs has seen two additional speakers being added to the sound system for a total of six, heating elements incorporated into the front chairs and six airbags versus two. Opening the doors reveals an interior different in one-key visual area from the TL. Unlike in the TL, the TLX gets auto on/off headlights that prevents the embarrassment of leaving the lights on, as well as keyless entry to go with the already standard push-button start. While still noticeably premium, the console's piano key black finish seems a bit over-the-top as a less fingerprint-prone hue could have been used. That being said, the setup still doesn't look cluttered and now comes with a BMW iDrive-style rotary controller for the infotainment system, fingertip physical buttons, a toggle switch for the electronic handbrake and Auto Hold, plus proper buttons for the Hill Descent Control and traction control. Cloth seats in the TL have been replaced by imitation leather upholstery Along with a single cupholder, a storage cubby resides at the very front of the console, while the volume knob becomes one of the fingertip switches. This also applies to the drive mode selector, the four-wheel-drive switches and the trio of colour themes for the infotainment system and instrument cluster, rather originally identified by a t-shirt symbol. Still an ergonomically-sorted design, fit-and-finish is felt slightly better than on the TL as no trim pieces had started to detached, as an example. Inclusion of the eight-speed automatic gearbox as seen in the Tunland received a redesigned centre console. However, the seats still felt hard, the instrument cluster partially obscured by a driver's chair that doesn't drop all the way to the bottom, and a steering wheel that only adjusts for rake and not reach. What's more, audio quality was found lacking, even with the two additional speakers. Although, as mentioned with the TL, rear passenger space remains a standout both on the headroom and legroom fronts. Similarly, the workings of the infotainment system are still relatively easy, more so now with the rotary controller, while rear air vents, a single USB port and central armrest add more convenience for those seated at the back. An engine that deserves more As with the TL, matters for the Tunland G7 TLX go array on the powertrain front, a lot more thanks to the usual Chinese vehicle qualm of an oddly calibrated accelerator and misinformed transmission. Powered by the Cummins co-developed 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine, the mill doesn't start with the same ruckus as the TL, though this could possibly be attributed to the TLX having been better run-in as it had over 1 500km on its odometer versus its sibling's less than 500km. On the move, its 120kW/390Nm feels undone by the accelerator/gearbox mix-up to the point where it lacks the responsiveness of the manual. Although renowned as one of the industry's best, the gearbox's programming means it shifts in a tardy fashion when going down, and with an almost double clutch-style low-speed drag when setting off. Even switched to Sport mode and the gear shift paddles in use, the Tunland G7 still felt lethargic despite the engine being eager to rev. While the four-wheel-drive system has, bizarrely, not added any kerb weight, the mismatched drivetrain saw it run a 15.7 second time from 0-100 km/h at Gerotek, 3.6 seconds slower than the manual. What's more, the key overtaking speed of 60 km/h to 140 km/h couldn't be obtained no matter Road Test Editor Mark Jones' best efforts. In fact, the Tunland was out of puff at 133 km/h and actually completed the 0-100 km/h dash slower in Sport mode than in Comfort. On the road Out on the road, the TLX felt similarly bouncy to the TL, although this will most likely improve with a load in the back. Off-road left the same impression, and although the selected road merely represented a very badly maintained and rutted gravel path, the Tunland didn't feel in its element. A 4×4 badge has been added to the tailgate on all all-paw gripping derivatives. That being said, lowering the tyre pressures will have the opposite effect with or without a load in the back. Likely to help further is the standard inclusion of a mechanically locking rear differential not offered on any of the rear-wheel-drive variants. As for fuel consumption, the eventual seven-day stay and 457 km registered an indicated best of 8.8 L/100 km, again impressive considering the powertrain's foibles and supposedly 'weightless addition' of the four-wheel-drive system. Conclusion As with the TL, Foton's four-wheel-drive entry point to the Tunland range with the TLX 4×4 isn't perfect and, arguably, unfairly hamstrung, given the engine's willingness to perform and upmarket finishes for a non-legacy brand bakkie far below R600 000. Therefore, and despite its price premium over its immediate less powerful and equipped rivals, it still deserves a second look. Road Test Data NOW READ: New Foton Tunland not a 'cheaply concocted' Chinese bakkie
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
All You Need to Know About Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited (TLX) Rating Upgrade to Buy
Investors might want to bet on Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited (TLX), as it has been recently upgraded to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). This rating change essentially reflects an upward trend in earnings estimates -- one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices. The Zacks rating relies solely on a company's changing earnings picture. It tracks EPS estimates for the current and following years from the sell-side analysts covering the stock through a consensus measure -- the Zacks Consensus Estimate. The power of a changing earnings picture in determining near-term stock price movements makes the Zacks rating system highly useful for individual investors, since it can be difficult to make decisions based on rating upgrades by Wall Street analysts. These are mostly driven by subjective factors that are hard to see and measure in real time. As such, the Zacks rating upgrade for Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited is essentially a positive comment on its earnings outlook that could have a favorable impact on its stock price. The change in a company's future earnings potential, as reflected in earnings estimate revisions, and the near-term price movement of its stock are proven to be strongly correlated. That's partly because of the influence of institutional investors that use earnings and earnings estimates for calculating the fair value of a company's shares. An increase or decrease in earnings estimates in their valuation models simply results in higher or lower fair value for a stock, and institutional investors typically buy or sell it. Their transaction of large amounts of shares then leads to price movement for the stock. For Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited, rising earnings estimates and the consequent rating upgrade fundamentally mean an improvement in the company's underlying business. And investors' appreciation of this improving business trend should push the stock higher. Empirical research shows a strong correlation between trends in earnings estimate revisions and near-term stock movements, so it could be truly rewarding if such revisions are tracked for making an investment decision. Here is where the tried-and-tested Zacks Rank stock-rating system plays an important role, as it effectively harnesses the power of earnings estimate revisions. The Zacks Rank stock-rating system, which uses four factors related to earnings estimates to classify stocks into five groups, ranging from Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), has an impressive externally-audited track record, with Zacks Rank #1 stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 1988. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>>. For the fiscal year ending December 2025, this company is expected to earn $0.41 per share, which is a change of 310% from the year-ago reported number. Analysts have been steadily raising their estimates for Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited. Over the past three months, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company has increased 125.9%. Unlike the overly optimistic Wall Street analysts whose rating systems tend to be weighted toward favorable recommendations, the Zacks rating system maintains an equal proportion of 'buy' and 'sell' ratings for its entire universe of more than 4000 stocks at any point in time. Irrespective of market conditions, only the top 5% of the Zacks-covered stocks get a 'Strong Buy' rating and the next 15% get a 'Buy' rating. So, the placement of a stock in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks indicates its superior earnings estimate revision feature, making it a solid candidate for producing market-beating returns in the near term. You can learn more about the Zacks Rank here >>> The upgrade of Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited to a Zacks Rank #2 positions it in the top 20% of the Zacks-covered stocks in terms of estimate revisions, implying that the stock might move higher in the near term. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited (TLX) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Here Are Some Six Cylinder Sedans You Probably Forgot About For Under $25,000
Sometimes you want to kick it old-school and have a comfortable four-door with a big (but not too big) motor under the hood that pumps out respectable horsepower without being a total drain at the pump. With the adaptation of turbos and hybrids, these six-cylinder models are mostly gone. When you think of a V6 sedan, some obvious ones immediately come to mind. From the 1990s into the mid 2000's, almost every mid-size sedan had an option for a larger displacement motor. Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima, and of course your domestics like the Ford Fusion and Chevy Malibu. Rear-drive models like the Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 were plentiful, but there was also a selection of larger front-wheel drive cruisers like the Chevy Impala, Nissan Maxima, and Toyota Avalon with six-cylinders being the standard power plant. Most of these models have gone by the wayside, either discontinued completely or replaced with more efficient turbo or hybrid options. However, there is a certain charm and simplicity to these cars as they offer a solid balance of passing power, decent fuel economy, and easy maintenance. If you happen to be shopping for a four-door with more than four cylinders and under $25,000, here are some wildcards that are worth putting on your radar. Read more: You Can Buy One Of The Best Modern Sports Sedans For Less Than A Toyota Corolla Most buyers associate Subaru with wagons and crossovers like the Outback and Forester, but the four-door Legacy was a solid, though underappreciated, alternative to the Accord and Camry. In the early 2000's, Subaru offered the Legacy GT with a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that was essentially a "WRX for adults." You could even get one with a manual transmission. The turbo-four was later replaced by the 3.6-liter cylinder motor also found in the Outback of the same generation With only about 120 3.6R versions listed for sale nationwide, according to Autotrader, the six-cylinder Legacy is rare as far as mid-size sedans go. Unlike the rest of these cars with a traditional V6 configuration, Subaru uses a horizontally opposed (boxer) six that produces a respectable 256 horsepower and returns up to 28 MPG on the highway. Naturally, that motor is paired with Subaru's symmetrical AWD system for all-weather traction. Later model years of these loaded Legacys also had a slew of safety tech, making this car a solid family commuter with a motor that shares similarities to the Porsche 911. For those of you who remember the well-loved TSX, which was essentially a Euro-spec Accord, and the super stylish TL from the 2000s, you will know that Acura kind of lost its way after those models when it came to the four-door segment. Both nameplates were eventually merged into the TLX, which was slightly bigger than the Accord but not quite full-size either. While the TLX was more upscale than its Honda cousin, it was a bit of a hard sell given the price premium, especially with the awkward styling. The TLX had a standard four-cylinder motor, but when equipped with the solid 290 hp, 3.5-liter V6, and Acura's "Super-Handling All Wheel Drive," you had a sporty and far more reliable alternative to some of the offerings from Audi, BMW, or Mercedes. What the TLX lacked in prestige, it made up for in durability. At under $25,000, there are fewer than 150 V6 SH-AWD units available. Before the Genesis brand really made a bid to be the next Lexus, Hyundai and Kia attempted an "upmarket" push and attempted to sell some higher-end cars at price points that weren't super palatable for the typical value-targeted customer for those automakers. The Kia Cadenza and Hyundai Azera twins were aimed at Lexus ES buyers but ended up being better alternatives to the Toyota Avalon and Nissan Maxima. While the Kia was marketed as the "sportier" of the two, both models used the same formula. With a 3.3-liter V6 making a class-standard 290 horsepower sent to the front wheels, both the Cadenza and Azera were quintessential highway cruisers. That power plant was backed by Hyundai/Kia's 10-year/100,000-mile warranty, but that coverage doesn't transfer to the second owner as it resets to a 5-year/60,000 warranty. However, these cars were packed with creature comforts and tech making 7 or 8-year-old models still competitive with what you can get from the showroom today. Saving the best for last and while this one is technically a hatchback with its roof-hinged trunk access, it certainly presents as a sedan. The last generation Buick Regal was a domestic car in name only, as these cars were imported from GM's European-made Opel/Vauxhall divisions. This means buyers had access to legitimate competitors, BMW and Audi, made across the pond and that just happened to have a Buick badge. While the Regal Sportback came in more pedestrian trims that would blend in at any rental counter, the GS came equipped with the ubiquitous 3.6-liter V6 found in other GM products. This tried and true motor produced 310 horsepower and was mated to an all-wheel-drive system. Critics quickly noted that the interior fell short of other luxury cars, but the Regal GS offered a lot of features for the dollar and some of the most comfortable seats you can buy. Tom McParland is a contributing writer for Jalopnik and runs He takes the hassle out of buying or leasing a car. Got a car buying question? Send it to Tom@ Want more like this? 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