Toyota Tundra
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Toyota Tundra | |
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Manufacturer | Toyota |
Production | 2000–present |
Assembly | Gibson County, Indiana San Antonio, Texas |
Predecessor | Toyota T100 |
Class | Full-size pickup truck |
Related | Toyota Sequoia |
Similar | Chevrolet Silverado Dodge Ram Ford F-150 Nissan Titan |
First generation | |
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Production | 2000–2006 |
Engine | 3.4L V6 190 hp (2000-2004)
4.0 L V6 239 Horsepower (2005-2006) 4.7 L V8 240(2000-2004) 271(2005-2006) Horsepower |
Transmission | 6-speed manual 5-speed automatic |
Wheelbase | 128.3 in (3259 mm) |
Length | 218.3 in (5545 mm) |
Width | 75.2 in (1910 mm) 79.3 in (2014 mm) |
Height | 70.5 in (1791 mm) |
Curb weight | 3935–4215 lb (1785–1912 kg) |
Second generation | |
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Production | 2007MY[1]– |
Engine | 4.0 L V6 239 Horsepower 4.7 L V8 271 Horsepower 5.7 L V8 381 Horsepower |
Transmission | 6-speed automatic 5-speed automatic |
Wheelbase | 145.7 in (3701 mm) |
Length | 228.7 in (5809 mm) |
Width | 79.9 in (2029 mm) |
Height | 76.4 in (1941 mm) |
The Toyota Tundra is a full-size pickup truck sold by Toyota, replacing the T100. The Tundra was nominated for the North American Truck of the Year award and was Motor Trend magazine's Truck of the Year for 2000. Before the latest revision, the Tundra was considered by many to be "too small to be considered to be a full-size truck", but it had already captured 5.6% of that market according to Autodata.[1]
Contents |
[edit] First generation
Publicly introduced in May 1999 as a 2000 model, the Tundra was initially to be called the T150. However, Ford and automotive pundits felt that this name was too close to the market-leading Ford F-150, and following a lawsuit by Ford, the truck was quickly renamed as the Tundra.
Toyota countersued and forced Ford to change the name of their Lincoln LS6 and LS8 (introduced around the same time as the Tundra), as Toyota felt that it was too close to that of its iconic Lexus LS sedan.
The Tundra was larger than the T100, but still suffered the perception of being too small and carlike to pose a serious threat to the domestic pickup trucks. Although sales were double the dismal rate of the T100, the 100,000 Tundras sold each year failed to impact sales of the surging Ford and GM trucks, though it arguably took some sales from Dodge. Still, it garnered impressive honors, including Motor Trend's Truck of the Year award for 2000 and Best Full- Size Truck from Consumer Reports. Built in a new Toyota plant in Princeton, Indiana, with 65 percent domestic content, the Tundra showed that Toyota was serious about closing the gap on the Big Three.
The grille was updated for 2003 and the double cab version was added to the lineup in 2004. The double cab model is a true crew cab with four normal doors, with interior and exterior details copied from the Toyota Sequoia. Its bed is nearly 5 inches longer than the competing Nissan Titan or Ford F-150. It is also 13 inches longer and 3 inches taller than the Regular and Access cab versions. New engines were introduced in 2005: a 4.0 L V6 rated at 236 horsepower and 266 ft-lb of torque, and a 4.7 L V8 with Toyota's VVT-i variable valve timing technology rated at 271 horsepower and 313 ft-lbs of torque. With a towing capacity of just 6,800 lb (on the Double Cabs) and a 7,100 lb towing capacity on the Access Cabs and Regular Cabs with a V8 engine, it still did not have enough muscle to compete with the heavy-duty offerings of the Big Three and Nissan. Domestic truck afficionados still derided it as a "7/8 scale" pickup.
[edit] First generation image gallery
[edit] Second generation
A much larger 2007 Tundra was introduced at the 2006 Chicago Auto Show. The new CrewMax (D-cab) and the Regular (B-cab) version of the Tundra are built in San Antonio, Texas, while the Double cab (C-cab) is built in Gibson County, Indiana for the North American market. The new double cab replaces the access cab in the lineup and the CrewMax takes over at the top. The redesigned Tundra Regular and Double cabs go on sale in February 15th 2007 with the CrewMax following in April. Toyota may introduce a diesel engine by late 2009.[2]
Engine choices include a 4.0L V6, 4.7L V8, and new 5.7L V8. The 5.7L V8 is rated at 381bhp and 401 [lbf·ft] (550 N·m) of torque with Dual VVT-i mated to a 6-speed automatic. Toyota has promised 20 miles per gallon and a towing capacity of up to 10,800 lb (4,536 kg) on the 2007 Toyota Tundra. At the 2006 SEMA show, TRD revealed a supercharger for the 5.7L to be available "late in 2007" with well over 450 bhp. (See list of Toyota engines)
The 2007 Tundra will be available in five (5) configurations. Regular Cabs with 6.5' and 8.1' beds. Double Cabs with 6.5' and 8.1' beds. CrewMax with 5.5' beds.
The Double Cabs have smaller doors in the second row. CrewMax have four full size doors.
MotorTrend has tested the 5.7L Tundra from 0-60mph in the low 6 seconds and quarter-mile times in the high 14s.[3]
Along with improved performance, the Tundra includes new safety features such as four-wheel disc brakes, as well as front, side, and curtain airbags. Additionally, traction control and full ABS are standard on all models.
[edit] Hybrid
Toyota President Katsuaki Watanabe has stated that he would like to develop a hybrid electric version of the Tundra. However, Toyota faces several technical challenges that it must overcome before it could bring such a vehicle to market.
According to Japanese newspaper Nihon Keizai Shimbun, Toyota is considering developing a gasoline electric hybrid Tundra, for sale in North America around 2010[4].
Toyota may also introduce a diesel electric hybrid system for the Tundra. In Japan, the Toyota Dyna and Hino Dutro are light trucks produced by the Toyota Group that use diesel electric hybrid systems. The Hino Ranger is a medium to heavy duty cab-over truck that could also provide hybrid technology for the next generation Tundra.
[edit] NASCAR
In 2004, the Tundra joined the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and got it first win at Michigan International Speedway on July 31 that year. In 2006, the Tundra got Toyota's first manufacturer championship winning 12 of the 25 races. The model also got the driver and owner championship with Todd Bodine and Germain Racing
[edit] Trivia
- Some prototypes of the Tundra were given to racing legends Ivan "Ironman" Stewart and Rod Millen.
- A Toyota Tundra was featured in Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines along with fellow Toyota Lexus SC, and in 2003 the truck was also available in a special edition inspired by this movie and called Tundra T3.
- A Double Cab version of Tundra was unveiled at the 2003 Chicago Auto Show and joined the Regular and Access Cab models in the 2004 lineup.
- The boxing reality series "The Contender" used a Toyota Tundra in both seasons as a training vehicle and as a grand prize give away along with cash to the winner.
- Starting with episode 2 of the ongoing NBC reality show Treasure Hunters, each team was given a Tundra for use throughout the game.
[edit] Notes
- ^ Wall Street Journal Feb 5, 2007 p. A11 "Toyota Plays Coy With Tundra Push"
- ^ http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=108724
- ^ http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/trucks/112_0701_2007_toyota_tundra/specs.html
- ^ http://www.greencarcongress.com/2006/11/report_toyota_t.html
[edit] External links
- Official Toyota Tundra Page
- TOYOTA Truck Club - Forums and More.
- Toyota Tundra FAQ
- http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15319160
- Toyota Tundra Road Test
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T100 | Tundra | Tundra |