Toyota Touts the Maximum Tundra; Pledges E85 Version in 2009
07 January 2007
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| The Tundra CrewMax. |
Toyota used its opening press conference of the North American International Auto Show in Detroit to unveil its new maximum full-size truck: the 2007 Tundra CrewMax. This largest version of the Tundra joins its Regular Cab and Double Cab cousins on the market in March.
In introducing the vehicle, Toyota Motor Sales executive vice president Jim Lentz said that the company expects to sell 200,000 Tundras this coming year after selling 124,508 units this year. Toyota also expects to sell 150,000 Prius units in 2007, and to crest the 250,000 mark for the combined sales of all its hybrid models in the US this year, according to Lentz.
An all-new 5.7-liter i-Force V8 engine is available for all the Tundra models. The 5.7-liter engine develops 381 hp (284 kW) at 5,600 rpm and 401 lb-ft (544 Nm) of torque at 3,600 rpm. Tundra 4x2 and 4x4 models equipped with the 5.7-liter engine will have city/highway fuel economy rating of 16/20 mpg and 14/18 mpg respectively.
The i-Force 5.7 V8 uses Dual VVT-i to control valve timing and overlap on both the intake and the exhaust valves, helping to optimize power, fuel efficiency and emissions.
The 5.7-liter engine’s 4x2 fuel economy rating is better than that of the 4.7-liter V8, which clocks in at 15/18 mpg city/highway and almost equivalent to that of the 4.0-liter V6, with 17/20 mpg respectively.
Toyota is matching the 5.7-liter engine exclusively with a new six-speed automatic. Next year, select 2009 Tundra models equipped with the 5.7-liter V8 will offer flex-fuel capability with E85 ethanol.
WTF It's a stretch to post this as a "green" car. If they meet their sales figures the fleet average fuel effiency for these and the Prii will be: 34/33...ooooo almost as good as a Corolla.
Posted by: Garth | 07 January 2007 at 02:12 PM
were are all the toyota lovers. if this was GM you would all be in here screaming. this just goes to show you.They build what they think people want.
Posted by: kevin | 07 January 2007 at 02:28 PM
This just might be the last nail in the coffin for Ford and GM. They used to make outragous profits on big trucks and now Toyota wants a piece of that market as well. Their last cash cow is going away.
The japanese quality will attract buyers away from Ford and GM as sure as Prius has ruled the hybrid market, they will do the same in the truck market. It is only a matter of time before this happens.
The american car companies could have ruled the green market with the EV-1 and the Ranger EV, but they chose a different path. Toyota lost money on the Prius for 7 years before they turned a profit on that green car. Now watch who will be the biggest car company in the world.
One more gas shortage will seal the deal.
Posted by: KJD | 07 January 2007 at 02:53 PM
KJD,
I agree that the U.S. car makers Ford and GM are losing a money maker. Everyday I see more Titan pickups out there. Ford sales of F150 pickups was almost 1 million per year. GM matched that, to make the sales of U.S. made pickup trucks a real money maker. The Japanese have always made what people want to buy. Apparently there is no longer a stigma attached to some psuedo macho type buying a large Japanese pickup truck.
Posted by: SJC | 07 January 2007 at 04:15 PM
There should really be a push for variable engine profiles. After all, one does not need all this power/torque all the time. When you do need to haul a ton or tow a boat/trailer, max performance is available. When you don't, 250hp/260lb-ft is enough to move this vehicle at a good clip. This way, you'll save 25-50% on fuel, and have a fringe benefit of reduced powertrain wear and tear. The same can apply to cars and SUVs.
Posted by: allen_Z | 07 January 2007 at 04:20 PM
Consider the public outcry if GM or Ford introduced a vehicle like this. 16/20 or 14/18 mpg. Does that cut it in todays market?? Will Toyota get a free pass on this? Where are all the shouting Toyo loyalists now?
Posted by: Mark A | 08 January 2007 at 05:00 AM
This new Tundra was supposed to be out late last year. Supposedly Toyota was so spooked by the quality of the 2007 Chevy Silverado pickup that they went back to improve the interior and make their new Tundra more competitive. So much for Toyota killing off GM truck sales. Did I mention that their super-sophisticated V8 is delivering about the same EPA mileage as GM's truck V8s have been delivering for several years now? (Albeit with a bit less hp.)
I also hear the roaring chorus of appreciation among Green Car Congresspeople for this new thirsty truck. Given the fanatical condemnation of the Ford diesel pickups a few months ago on here (6.4L Powerstroke), I may need to turn up my hearing aid as I must be missing the equal condemnation of this equally thirsty, but less capable, pickup.
Posted by: zach | 08 January 2007 at 09:25 AM
"Consider the public outcry if GM or Ford introduced a vehicle like this."
Guess GM and Ford can't "introduce" the guzzlers that they bring to market regularly.
Nevertheless, this is a bad tree in the Toyota forest -
of course the Tundra is too thirsty for this GCC Prius elitist
Posted by: fyi CO2 | 08 January 2007 at 09:48 AM
Chevy Silverado 2WD (315HP V8): 16/22 mpg
Chevy Silverado 4WD (315HP V8): 16/20 mpg
Toyota Tundra 2WD (271HP V8): 15/18 mpg
Toyota Tundra 4WD (271HP V8): 15/18 mpg
So – even though Toyota tries to bill themselves as the environmental leader – this shows that they are just as committed to large platform, gas-guzzling trucks as the rest of the Big 6. Hybrids account for less than 2% of overall auto sales – so what about the other 98%? If Toyota is really so concerned about fuel economy as their ads state (and in turn, energy security and the environment) – why do they keep pushing bigger and bigger vehicles? In addition to that they are still fighting tooth-and-nail against increasing fuel economy regulations, suing states that try to limit greenhouse gas emissions, and in December argued before the Supreme Court that carbon from tailpipe emissions was not even a pollutant! And when the EPA’s new real-world fuel economy sticker comes out next year Toyota’s vehicles will be taking the hardest hit.
There are plenty of steps automakers can take today to increase fuel economy – and that’s what consumers want. Let’s not get distracted by the hype around a single car or by marketing spin. Automakers can create well-built, economic, attractive – FUEL EFFICIENT cars – but are dragging their feet.
If Toyota wants to see my support they would:
• Stop lobbying against rises in fuel economy (CAFÉ) standards
• Drop the lawsuits against states like California who are trying to regulate greenhouse gases
• Commit to leading the industry in fuel economy and set fuel economy benchmarks so we can actually hold them accountable and know where they are headed.
I’ve been working with the Freedom From Oil Campaign to make automakers honestly prioritize fuel economy and move beyond oil – check out what we do at http://www.FreedomFromOil.org
Posted by: Matt | 08 January 2007 at 01:32 PM
Don't count out the "Big 3" (or "2 1/2") as they are catching the Japanese in quality and are way ahead of the Europeans according to CR. As Matt points out the GM truck gets better fuel economy and has more power. I've seen through the Toyota "look how green we are" for some time. They have their green cars but their trucks and SUV's are just as fuel hungry as the American brand trucks.
BTW Ford's sales of the F-series pickup is still close to a million SJC. Many truck owners are very loyal to their brands and will drive nothing but. Chevy and GMC pickups sell around a million or so to.
The fat lady hasn't sung for Ford and GM and probably won't any time soon. Change, yes, death, no.
Posted by: Tim Russell | 08 January 2007 at 03:01 PM
except ... the new 5.7L iForce mileage wasn't compared:
Chevy Silverado with 6.0L VortecMax: 4x2-15/19 EPA
4x4-15/19 EPA
Toyota Tundra 5.7L iForce V8: 4x2-16/20 EPA
4x4-14/18
So overall, EPA mileage is a tie between these two engines, and yet, the Toyota is ULEV-II emissions rated, where GM's VortecMax is not. Plus, the Toyota 5.7L is more powerful.
And where are GM's 40mpg compacts? Which car does GM sell in North America that gets Corolla or Civic level economy?
Don't kid yourselves. Despite Toyota and to a lesser extent Honda producing some larger vehicles, they remain environmental leaders in the industry. Not because of some far off concept cars, but because of what they currently sell right NOW.
In terms of overall CAFE averages, Honda and Toyota are ahead of GM, Ford, and Chrysler.
Posted by: toyo | 10 January 2007 at 06:02 AM
I often read the articles written by Jerry Flint, long-time veteran automotive columnist for Forbes Magazine. He has a lot of wisdom on most things automotive, and seems to know personally most of the figureheads we only read about in our magazines, etc. I encourage you all to read one of his more recent articles entitled "America's Line in the Sand". He discusses in depth the coming new Tundra and its impact on Detroit. He frames his story with a Sales chart of all of the pick-ups manufactured, oddly omitting the Honda Ridgeline which I guess isn't recognized as a true full-sized pick-up. At any rate, the Tundras have been selling at a clip of approx. 125,000/year. Toyota's new factory can produce 200,000/year. Jerry figures with the Indiana plant also producing an additional 150,000, they could produce a max. of 350,000/year. The entire pie is about 2.2 million pick-ups and is shrinking. Jerry goes on to state that Detroit will draw a line in the sand in the truck market. Not to say Toyota won't enjoy some success there too, (they probably will with this new truck), but they aren't going to overtake the Big 3 either. I don't have final sales numbers for 2006, but here is how 2005 was divided for pick-ups only: GM: 935,468. Ford: 911,737. Dodge: 400,543. Nissan: 86,945. Toyota: 126,529. In total, 2005 had total pick-up sales of 2,461,222. Toyota had roughly 5% of the total 2005 market, and probably slightly better in 2006. If Toyota's wish of 200,000 sales in 2007 comes true, they will probably have 10% of a 2,000,000 sale market in 2007. Compare that to the 45% GM and 40% Ford hold out of this market. Even Dodge sells about 18%. There's no question Toyota could butcher some sales from Detroit here, but the Doom sayers gotta see that Toyota has a long way to go before they can own this market.
Posted by: Schmeltz | 12 January 2007 at 11:10 AM
Wow---Either this thread is dead or I just baffled everyone with my last post!
Posted by: Schmeltz | 16 January 2007 at 08:27 AM
All I used to here was the big 3. Know I hear the big 2
and Toyota. GM and Ford If Toyota is only getting 5 percent of the market, why all the fuss?
Posted by: alex | 04 February 2007 at 12:58 AM
i had a salesman bring a 2007 tundra crewmax 5.7L 4x4 to my business to see how it would tow an 1800 pound trailer loaded with a Kubota L4310 tractor with a loader, boxblade, water in rear wheels and a front rake.
All the weights added up to 7060 pounds. The truck was heralded by toyota to tow 10100 pounds "all day every day" .
I wanted a CREWMAX alot. They look great, they have awesome interior space for the whole family and the specs on paper look great.
With the sales guy by my side, this truck struggled to pull 7060 pounds on flat, paved ground. At no time was it a confident towing vehicle. The exhaust was that throaty cheap sound that aftermarket dual exhausts make which was so loud in the cab that it was noticeably loder than any modern diesel. In the end, I was very disappointed at the stupid decisions toyota made :
2 OVERDRIVES BUT NO TOWING TORQUE IN REAL LIFE
ALUMINUM ENGINE BLOCK WITH STEEL SLEEVES = JUNK
ALUMINUM DRIVESHAFT= BIG FAILURE COMING ONE DAY
LOUD ENGINE NOISE IN THE CAB
AND
BY LYING ABOUT IT'S CAPABILITIES, TOYOTA HAS MADE IT VERY EASY FOR GM, DODGE AND FORD TO MAKE ALL THEIR TRUCK CLAIMS A LAUGHING STOCK. THE ALL NEW TUNDRA...THE FIRST DISPOSABLE TRUCK EVER MADE.
Posted by: eddie hunter | 05 May 2007 at 08:34 PM
Now Toyota is leaking that 2009 Tundras will have a Diesel engine. That would be a great compliment to the 6 speed tranny but the half aluminum driveshaft would have to go. If Toyota puts out a Tundra CrewMax with a 6 cylinder diesel that does 500-600 pounds at under 2000 RPM's, I would buy that in a heartbeat.
Unfortunately, the current CrewMax is a car in a truck's body
Posted by: eddie hunter | 05 May 2007 at 08:46 PM
If Toyota brings their diesels it will truly be a sad day for the domestics.I don't think they will risk the damage to their wildly popular hybrid party.It is sad to see Toyota continue to manufacture horribly inefficient vehicles in spite of the current environmental and fuel supply issues.Still,Toyota would argue they are just providing choices for their customers.I guess this is the reason for CAFE standards,if these were higher,Toyota would be forced to discount Corollas and Yarises to allow more Tundra sales.Diesel Yarises in Europe are providing 55-60 mpg.
Posted by: middleoroad | 08 May 2007 at 06:46 PM
you guys have to be kidding, big trucks are needed for work. end of story, sorry if they cant be more efficient, but for the power this thing puts out, it really is very efficient.
my f-250 gets around 12 miles to the gallon, putting down around 315 horsepower with quite a few upgrades, i need it for the work i do. i wish i could drive a corrolla around town with my ladder rack on top and my trailer behind, but it's just not possible.
dont cry about the big truck market, nothing would ever get done if we all had little cars.
Posted by: mike | 10 May 2007 at 09:40 PM
The tundra is a great truck for towing. I bought a doublecab limited with the 5.7 for pulling. I pull a gooseneck 4 horse horsetrailer with living quarters and it pulls great in hills and on the flat. Pulling 1000ft grades in North Dakota fully loaded @ 70mph isn't a problem at all while still getting 11mpg. Try doing that with a vortecmax. As far as the aluminum driveshaft goes, all of the half ton pickups have them and some of the heavy dutys.
Posted by: Kenzie | 28 May 2007 at 01:52 PM
dude gm and ford make a bunch of junk. gm uses a 6.0L engine that cant even produce as much horsepower as the toyota's 5.7L iforce and neither does ford with the 6.4L so you gm and ford lovers should know that the americans need a lot of help
Posted by: yo | 02 January 2008 at 01:10 PM
dude gm and ford make a bunch of junk. gm uses a 6.0L engine that cant even produce as much horsepower as the toyota's 5.7L iforce and neither does ford with the 6.4L so you gm and ford lovers should know that the americans need a lot of help
Posted by: yo | 02 January 2008 at 01:12 PM
"yo":
You just brought up Ford's DIESEL engine (6.4L) and tried to compare it to the Toyota GAS engine. Great job. Did you check the torque figures there? Yeah, the 6.4L (available in the Super Duty trucks) makes 650 lb-ft of torque. Yes, that's 249lb-ft more than Toyota's new gas engine, and it of course makes it at a much lower RPM. The engine I THINK you were trying to compare it to is the 6.8L V10, which makes 362HP and 457lb-ft.
The F-150 gas engine, the 5.4L makes 300HP and 365lb-ft. If you are trying to throw stones, at least try to get your numbers straight before doing so.
Posted by: Chris | 13 January 2008 at 05:31 PM
Ford has the best pickup, that is why is is the best selling. Toyota recalls more vehicles than it produces. They have a long way to go. Ford and GM are more advanced than you think.
Posted by: `` | 14 January 2008 at 05:23 PM
Yes indeed it will be a sad day for the big three if Toyota releases a diesel version of the Tundra. With plundering profits and extensive cut backs among them, this is the last untouched division of the truck line that domestics have going for them. Its only a matter of time before Toyota wants a slice of that pie as well and why not. Maybe a little friendly competition will give the necessary kick to get domestics up to snuff. Its not like the largest auto manufacturer in the world is approaching this with no experience either. Owning Hino gives them definite knowledge in the diesel department. Hang on boys, could be a bumpy ride.
Posted by: yodaman | 27 January 2008 at 10:25 PM
"Toyota recalls more vehicles than it produces."
Umm, is that even possible? Or are you saying that they're starting to recall other manufacturers' cars now?
Posted by: Shortbus | 31 January 2008 at 06:39 AM