Toyota Tacoma
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Toyota Tacoma | |
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| Manufacturer | Toyota Motor Company |
| Production | 1995–Present |
| Class | Compact Pickup truck |
| Related | Toyota Hilux, Toyota Tundra, Toyota Sequoia, Toyota 4Runner |
| Similar | Nissan Frontier, Ford Ranger, Dodge Dakota, GMC Canyon/Chevy Colorado |
The Toyota Tacoma,is a Compact Pickup truck manufactured by the Toyota Motor Company since 1995, it is based on the Toyota Hilux, and very similar to the Toyota 4Runner. It was Motor Trend Magazine's truck of the year for 2005. It is also America's best selling mid-size pickup.
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[edit] First Generation (1995-2004)
The Toyota Tacoma was introduced in 1995 as a compact truck. There were a total of 3 engines available for the Toyota Tacoma, a 2.4L 4 cylinder(142 hp), a 2.7L 4 cylinder(150 hp), and a 3.4L 6 cylinder(190 hp). The 2.4L engine was only available in the 2wd model, the 2.7L was only available in the 4wd model. In its first couple years of production the Tacoma sold very well. It attracted many young buyers. The first generation Tacoma underwent a total of 2 cosmetic facelifts. The first was in 1998, and the second was in 2001. The facelifts mainly entailed new headlights and grilles. Mechanical changes included longer rear leaf springs in 1998+ models and a switch to distributorless ignition systems in 2000+ models. All 4wd models came with Toyota's Automatic Differential Disconnect (ADD) system after the 2000 model year. Toyota also introduced their first crew cab Tacoma, marking a new era in Toyota history. It stilled lagged power when compared to the segment leading Ford Ranger, and the Dodge Dakota.
the best pick up ever made.
[edit] Second Generation (2005-Present)
In 2005 the Tacoma was updated. A new 4.0 liter V6 took the place of the original 3.4 liter V6. The new 4.0 liter V6 had many enhancements, such as a new 6500 pound tow rating, and a payload capacity of 1645 pounds. The 4.0 liter produces 236 horsepower and 266 foot-pounds of torque. Also, Toyota manufactured every Tacoma with a composite inner bed that includes a deck rail system, storage boxes and a power outlet(models with TRD packages). The 2006 Tacoma was a carry on from 2005. Minor changes have been made to the 2007 model such as new engine which now takes any type of gasoline (except diesel) and delivers better fuel economy than the previous models. Also the seating system was updated.
 2005 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab |
 2005 Toyota Tacoma Regular Cab |
[edit] AfterMarket
A supercharger is available for the V6 GR1 engine which increases horsepower from 236 to 366 designed and sold by URD, Underdog Racing Development. URD also has made a powerful 4.7 liter V8 engine for the Tacoma,this engine cranks out 417 horsepower and 506 pounds feet torque. Only about 2000 of these engines are assembled every year.
[edit] U.S Sales
Tacoma sales in the U.S. have risen steadily in the past few years. By 2004 (calendar year) it lagged the perennial segment leader, the Ford Ranger, by just 2.2%; a year later it was leading by nearly 40% and in 2006, it had extended that lead to an impressive 93%. Toyota sells around 190,000 Tacomas annually. In 2005 Toyota Motor Corporation sold 189,987 Tacomas, better than any other compact pickup in its class. Tacoma sales make about 10 percent of Toyota Motor Corporations annual sales. From March 2006 to March 2007 Tacoma sales have steadily risen. In March of 2006 Toyota sold 9185 Tacoma's, in March 2007 Toyota sold 10,851 Tacoma's. It is highly possible that Toyota might sell around 200,000 Tacoma's in 2007.
[edit] Toyota Racing Development
Since 1998 Toyota threw in a new Toyota Racing Development (TRD) off road package. The package includes off road tires, 16 inch alloy wheels, TRD shocks, a locking rear differential, and the TRD graphics. In 2003 Toyota introduced a TRD sport package on the Toyota Tundra full-size pickup. This package was not avalible until 2005 for the Tacoma. This package includes street performance tires, 17 inch alloy wheels, shocks, race inspired hood, and TRD sport graphics. It is also about 2000 dollars more expensive than the original TRD off road package.
[edit] Trivia
The fictional characters and toys Transformers Autobots Trailbreaker and Hoist were based off of the Toyota Hilux/Tacoma (possibly the 1983 model). Trailbreaker, the Autobots' defensive strategist, changed into a Hilux camper (produced shortly before Hilux/"4Runners" were sold in America), while Hoist, the strict maintenance specialist chose the appropriate disguise of a Hilux tow truck.
In the 1989 comedy film, Nuns on the Run, Robbing Coltrane and Eric Idle use a hijacked Toyota Hi-Lux to escape from the convent.[citation needed]
In 2006 two young men named J.J, and John go around the country spectating High School Football games, in a Tacoma that Toyota had lended them. They are sponsored by the Toyota Motor Company
[edit] External Links
- This year's Toyota Tacoma Specs (US)
- Tacoma offical site
- Information about Toyota Tacoma
- Toyota Tacoma Forum
| Toyota light truck timeline, North American market, 1980s-present - | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Crossover SUV | Highlander | Highlander | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Mid-size SUV | 4Runner | 4Runner | 4Runner | 4Runner | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Full-size SUV | Land Cruiser | Land Cruiser | Land Cruiser | Land Cruiser | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sequoia | Sequoia | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Minivan | Toyota Van | Previa | Sienna | Sienna | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Pickup | Toyota Pickup | Toyota Pickup | Toyota Pickup | Tacoma | Tacoma | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| T100 | Tundra | Tundra | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
