As smooth as the Tundra drove, underneath it's one rugged truck.
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| Instruments are clear. Column shift is standard for autobox. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, Canadian Auto Press) |
Its impact-absorbing ladder frame is comprised of sturdy one-piece frame rails reinforced with high tensile steel and eight cross members, enhanced, for safety's sake, by a crumple zone front-end design with side impact beams, and high-tensile steel reinforced door frames. And, of course, its compliant but strong suspension (as mentioned above) offers decent off-road clearance plus ideal handling for heavy loads. The ventilated disc brakes up front feature 4-piston calipers while the rear braking system is standard with drums, considered better than discs for truck applications, and all are power-assisted. And for security, new across the Tundra lineup is an engine immobilizer. For the double cab, a standard anti-theft system is included.
I
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| Alexandra heartily approves of the Tundra TRD. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, Canadian Auto Press) |
wish I could say I put the Tundra Yamaha Edition to the haul-all test, but I sadly report I didn't. Although if hauling it (myself and Dan, a 6'6" friend of mine) to the opera in style counts, then I suppose I did. Finding parking at the opera was quite the challenge, as it was during the entire weeklong test, which is no doubt why you don't see many full-size pickups where I live in Vancouver's downtown core.
When all is said and done Toyota's TRD Yamaha Special Edition Tundra
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| For a city girl, the Tundra is just too thirsty... (Photo: Alexandra Straub, Canadian Auto Press) |
is quite the skookum truck. It is recognizable from afar, offers loads, even payloads of room, fun and functionality. I can't say I am sad to see it go because, well, I would have no use for it in my normal daily activities and its lust for fuel would bankrupt me. In time though, when I have that house in the 'burbs with a boat, ski gear and seadoos, dirt bikes, ATVs and other cool Yamaha stuff, I could use the haul-all Tundra for what it was made for. Hmmm... and by the time this happens it'll be the all-new Tundra... or maybe a couple of generations after that?
Specifications (TRD Yamaha Special Edition 4X4 Double Cab):- Price Range (MSRP): $40,380 - $45,300
- Body Type: 4-door, 5-passenger full-size pickup
- Layout: front engine/four-wheel-drive
- Engine: 271 hp, 313 lb-ft of torque, 4.7L, 32-valve, DOHC V8
- Transmission: 5-speed automatic
- Brakes (front/rear): disc/drum, ABS
- Wheelbase: 3570 mm (140.6 in.)
- Height: 1900 mm (74.8 in.)
- Ground Clearance: 290 mm (11.4 in)
- Curb Weight: 2,258 kg (5,030 lbs)
- Towing Capacity: 3,039 kg (6,700 lbs)
- Fuel Economy (city/hwy): 15.8 / 12.2 L/100 km (16 / 19 mpg)
- Warranty (mo/km): 36/80,000 comprehensive - 60/100,000 powertrain
- Direct Competitors: Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Dodge Ram 1500, Ford F150, GMC Sierra 1500, Honda Ridgeline, Nissan Titan
- Web Site: www.toyota.ca
