Toyota previews new Tundra pickup

LOUISVILLE, KY. Over the past two weeks here, Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. (TMS) gave the media a “long lead” advance look at its newest contender in the full-size pickup market, the all-new 2007 Tundra.

The OEM will not make public the full details on the new line until early January but disclosed the truck will boast the ability to tow over 10,000 lb. thanks to a new 5.7-liter i-Force V8 gas engine mated to a new heavy-duty 6-sp. automatic. Also available will be a 4.0-liter V6 and the 4.7-liter i-Force V8. Tundra will also feature heavy-duty front disc brakes and standard rear disc brakes.

The pickup will ride on a new “rock-solid” chassis platform with 30% higher tensile strength steel. It will have a “significantly expanded” wheelbase and in increase of 10 inches in overall length. It will also gain nearly five in. in height and will be four inches wider than the current Tundra. The truck will come in three cab configurations and will offer all told more than 30 different models.

“The new Tundra is a true American truck that will set a benchmark in the full-size truck segment,” said Jim Lentz, TMS group vp & gm. He pointed out the “Americanization” program for the ’07 Tundra entailed engineering development controlled from Toyota’s TEMA facility in Michigan with styling handled by its in-house Caltry Design operation. The trucks’ engines will be built at a Toyota plant in Alabama and the Tundra itself will be assembled at Toyota plants in Indiana and Texas.