Volkswagen Taro

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Volkswagen Taro
1991 Volkswagen Taro
Manufacturer Toyota
Hino
Production 1989 - 1997
Assembly Tahara, Aichi
Hanover, Germany
Related Toyota Hilux

In January 1989,[1] Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles introduced a 1 tonne pickup, called Volkswagen Taro, to complement the half tonne Caddy pickup / panel van ranges, and the 1 tonne Transporter van and chassis cab ranges.

The Taro though was a project of badge engineering, the Taro was a rebadged Toyota Hilux fully engineered and designed by Toyota.

The two companies came together to solve each others problems:

  • Volkswagen at the time did not have a one-tonne pickup truck.
  • Toyota wanted European market share of European 1 tonne utility market.

So in the late 1980s, VW and Toyota signed an agreement that VW would manufacture the Toyota Hilux in the VW factory in Hanover, Germany, and it would be sold under the Volkswagen Taro moniker.

The first Taros manufactured in Hanover, Germany from 1989-1994 had a 2.4L diesel engine with 61 kW / 83 hp, torque was 165 N·m (122 ft·lbf) @ 2400 rpm, with loading space of 3.4m2 and a 1125 kg (2480 lb) payload

In September 1994 at the IAA Nutfahrzeuge (Commercial Vehicle Fair) in Hanover, Germany,[2] Volkswagen released the 4x4 version of the Taro which had an extended cabin.

The 4x4 Extended Cab Taro was manufactured in Toyota's Sahara plant in Japan, but now the Taro had an updated 2.4 litre diesel engine which produced 58 kW (78 hp) @ 4000 rpm and torque of 163 N·m (120 ft·lbf) with 2400 rpm.

The 4x4 Taro had a 2.9m2 loading space and 815 kg (1797 lb) payload but could tow 750 kg (1653 lb) without brakes and 2100 kg (4630 lb) with brakes.

The joint venture ended in 1996, due to being under both car marques expectations.

[edit] Specifications

Engine: 2.4 Litre Diesel

Output: 61 kW (82 hp) - 58 kW (78 hp) @ 4000 rpm

Torque: 165 N·m (122 ft·lbf) @ 2400 rpm - 163 N·m (120 ft·lbf) @ 2400 rpm

Drive: 4x2 = RWD 4x4 = 4WD

LxWxH: (4x2) 4725x1650x1555 (4x4) 4905x1690x1740 mm

Loading Area: (4x2) 3.1m2 (4x4) 2.9m2

Wheelbase: (4x2) 2850 mm (112.2 in) (4x4) 3095 mm (121.9 in)

Track width in front: (4x2) 1355 mm (53.3 in) (4x4) 1430 mm (56.3 in)

Track width in the back: (4x2) 1370 mm (53.9 in) (4x4) 1425 mm (56.1 in)

Turning circle: (4x2) 12.6 m (41 ft) (4x4) 14.0 m (46 ft)

Permissible Total Weight: (4x2) 2395 kg (5280 lb) (4x4) 2515 kg (5545 lb)

Payload: (4x2) 995 kg (2194 lb) (4x4) 815 kg (1797 lb)

Trailer weight braked: (4x2) 1800 kg (3968 lb) (4x4) 2100 kg (4630 lb)

Trailer weight without brakes: 750 kg (1653 lb)

Fuel Tank Capacity: (4x2) 56 L (14.8 US gal/12.3 imp gal) (4x4) 65 L (17.2 US gal/14.3 imp gal)

Maximum Speed km/h: (4x2) 145 km/h (90 mph) (4x4) 130 km/h (81 mph)

Acceleration: 0-80 km/h (50 mph): (4x2) 15.0 secs (4x4) 17.0 secs

Fuel Consumption: (4x2) 9.6 L/100 km (25 mpg–U.S. / 29 mpg–imp) (4x4) 10.2 L/100 km (23 mpg–U.S. / 28 mpg–imp)

Specifications Source[3]

[edit] Future Pick-Up

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles division is now developing the Volkswagen Robust pick-up, to be released in 2008/2009 it will rival the Nissan Navara and Toyota Hilux.

Expect the design to take cues from the recently released Volkswagen Crafter.

It will have a Single & Double Cab options as well as option of 2WD or 4WD & be squarely aimed at the European, South African, South American, and Asia Pacific markets.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Volkswagen Taro Press Releases dated January 1989 and September 1994.
  2. ^ Volkswagen Taro Press Release dated January 1989 and September 1994.
  3. ^ Volkswagen Taro Press Releases dated January 1989 and September 1994.


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