Toyota Tundra

By Tim Pollard

Motor Shows

07 January 2007 08:15

Toyota Tundra: the lowdown

Big, isn't it? The press conference at Detroit to unveil the new Tundra pick-up was littered with phrases beginning with 'biggest', 'most' and 'heaviest'. Welcome to the US truck market, where the ability to lug, tow and carry are more important than creature comforts or looks. So the new Tundra can tow up to 10,000lb (that's a porky 4500kg), and is equipped with a limited slip diff, ESP and a choice of 4.7- or 5.7-litre V8s. Take your pick from 271bhp or 381bhp for maximum performance. Even when fully laden, Toyota claims, the Tundra V8 can out-point rivals in the 0-60mph sprint.

Toyota's main priority was to make the Tundra a working truck; you can even put file dividers in the armrest between the front seats, for heaven's sake. But it hasn't forgotten the people driving it after office hours in the field. There's a choice of regular pick-up, double-cab or super-sized Crewmax bodystyles; the latter has a massive 45in of rear legroom, and both double-cabs have a sliding and reclining rear backrest. Six adults can be fitted, three abreast in two rows. It plans to sell 200,000 a year, with sales starting in February.

By Tim Pollard