On the other hand, hybrid power has so far been bad news for the majority of truck owners who use their vehicles for long
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| Hybrid power has so far been bad news for the majority of truck owners who use their vehicles for long distance towing and especially hauling jobs, the GMC Sierra Hybrid (shown) and Chevy Silverado Hybrid being the only examples. (Photo: General Motors of Canada) |
distance towing and especially hauling jobs. In this regard, hybrid-electric power is less than ideal. For instance, the GMC Sierra Hybrid can only manage a maximum tow rating of 3,493 kilos (7,700 lbs) in RWD and 3,357 kg (7,400 lbs) in 4WD. This doesn't compare quite as well when put up against the conventionally-powered Sierra, which pulls a maximum of 3,810 kg (8,400 lbs) in RWD and 4,128 kg (9,100 lbs) in 4WD trim. The all-wheel drive Sierra can handle a maximum of 3,674 kg (8,100 lbs). This, of course, doesn't factor in different cab and bed lengths, which can make a big difference with a truck's tow rating.
The same goes for payload, where the Sierra Hybrid can only haul 527 kilos (1,162 lbs) in RWD configuration and 473 kg (1,043 lbs) when equipped
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| Unlike the GM hybrids, which only offer motor-assisted electrical power, it is possible that Toyota's full-hybrid powertrain could deliver greater pulling power and payload capacity. (Photo: Toyota Canada) |
with 4WD. The regular Sierra can carry up to 857 kg (1,889 lbs) in RWD guise and 858 kg (1,892 lbs) in 4WD. The AWD Sierra is capable of a 714 kg (1,575 lb) payload, incidentally, still much better than the hybrid.
The bottom line seems to be, you cannot give up engine displacement without hurting the vehicle's payload capability, or to a slightly lesser degree, its towing properties, and you cannot have large engine displacement without hurting fuel economy, which is normally the number one goal of hybrid power. Nevertheless, Toyota firmly believes that a solid hybrid vehicle lineup alongside a competitive full-sized truck line is in its future, with plans to sell 300,000 hybrid vehicles worldwide this year and one million by 2010. Therefore, it is
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| Without doubt a larger, bolder and more powerful Tundra will increase the current model's rather miniscule hold on the light truck market segment. (Photo: Toyota Canada) |
necessary to develop a feasible hybrid-powered full-sized truck.
And now that the Tundra is finally growing up to full-size status, it seems that Toyota is finally realizing its potential as a light truck-maker, and should grab its fair share of the pickup truck market by doing so. In 2004, Toyota had nearly a quarter of the U.S. market for small pickups but, sadly for them, only about four and a half percent of the full-sized market last year. Now that the Tundra has been "working out", and coupling its formidable new dimensions with a practical hybrid drivetrain, the next-generation model just might be a truck that can truly compete with the big boys from Detroit.
