Chicago, IL -- Competition is heating up in the full-size pickup segment; and if you're going to play in this arena, you'd better have the goods.
Ford's venerable F-150 still leads the market with improved technology and fuel efficiency, and the new Ram was launched with much acclaim, including a North American Truck of the Year award. Competition will also come with the new Chevy and GMC pickups which debuted at the Detroit Auto Show.
And now, the new 2014 Toyota Tundra has shown up to play.
Toyota Group VP, Bill Fay, opened the conference by explaining that the full-size truck market has shifted towards crew cabs loaded with premium features. Therefore, the new 2014 Tundra is not only bigger, but offers two top-spec trim levels in addition to the Limited trim.
Platinum and a new 1794 Edition boast the lushest interiors ever featured on the 2014 Toyota Tundra. Platinum trim features top quality, Lexus-grade leather and suede seats that are both heated and cooled, wood trim, and a 12-speaker JBL sound system. The 1794 Edition (named after 1794 San Antonio ranch that is now the current site of the Toyota plant) ramps up the luxury even further with saddle brown leather seats with suede inserts, and leather trimmed shifter, door panels and instrument panel.
A two-door Regular Cab and four-door Double Cab are available in 4x2 and 4x4 configurations, and a four-door CrewMax has standard 4x4.
Outwardly, the 2014 Toyota Tundra is an aggressive beast with a big snub prow and a hood that's 1.6” higher than its predecessor. It features a three-piece bumper that can help reduce repair or replacement costs.
The Tundra debuts three "first in segment" safety features: knee airbags and backup camera come standard, and a blind spot monitoring system with cross traffic alert is offered as an option.
Acknowledging that truck owners tend to stick with the North American Big Three brands, Fay mentioned that, "No truck has more domestic content than the Tundra." An obvious bid to appeal to the domestic loyalists.
However, the powertrains are largely carryovers for the 2014 Toyota Tundra. There's the base 4.0L, a 270 hp/278 lb-ft V6 that's paired with a 5-speed transmission.
Also available are two V8s: one, a 4.6L that produces 310/327, the other a 5.7L that's good for 381 hp and 401 lb-ft of torque. Both are mated to a 6-speed transmission.
The new 2014 Tundra will reach dealerships in September. Although sales last year were good, rising by almost 23%, the Japanese pickup truck has a long way to go before it's a threat to GM, Ford or Chrysler.
Ford's venerable F-150 still leads the market with improved technology and fuel efficiency, and the new Ram was launched with much acclaim, including a North American Truck of the Year award. Competition will also come with the new Chevy and GMC pickups which debuted at the Detroit Auto Show.
And now, the new 2014 Toyota Tundra has shown up to play.
Toyota Group VP, Bill Fay, opened the conference by explaining that the full-size truck market has shifted towards crew cabs loaded with premium features. Therefore, the new 2014 Tundra is not only bigger, but offers two top-spec trim levels in addition to the Limited trim.
Platinum and a new 1794 Edition boast the lushest interiors ever featured on the 2014 Toyota Tundra. Platinum trim features top quality, Lexus-grade leather and suede seats that are both heated and cooled, wood trim, and a 12-speaker JBL sound system. The 1794 Edition (named after 1794 San Antonio ranch that is now the current site of the Toyota plant) ramps up the luxury even further with saddle brown leather seats with suede inserts, and leather trimmed shifter, door panels and instrument panel.
A two-door Regular Cab and four-door Double Cab are available in 4x2 and 4x4 configurations, and a four-door CrewMax has standard 4x4.
Outwardly, the 2014 Toyota Tundra is an aggressive beast with a big snub prow and a hood that's 1.6” higher than its predecessor. It features a three-piece bumper that can help reduce repair or replacement costs.
The Tundra debuts three "first in segment" safety features: knee airbags and backup camera come standard, and a blind spot monitoring system with cross traffic alert is offered as an option.
Acknowledging that truck owners tend to stick with the North American Big Three brands, Fay mentioned that, "No truck has more domestic content than the Tundra." An obvious bid to appeal to the domestic loyalists.
However, the powertrains are largely carryovers for the 2014 Toyota Tundra. There's the base 4.0L, a 270 hp/278 lb-ft V6 that's paired with a 5-speed transmission.
Also available are two V8s: one, a 4.6L that produces 310/327, the other a 5.7L that's good for 381 hp and 401 lb-ft of torque. Both are mated to a 6-speed transmission.
The new 2014 Tundra will reach dealerships in September. Although sales last year were good, rising by almost 23%, the Japanese pickup truck has a long way to go before it's a threat to GM, Ford or Chrysler.
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| Photo: Lesley Wimbush |