5.7-liter V8 in Toyota Tundra will produce 381 horsepower
Through the digital grape vine we came across an article on MSNBC that rehashes the impending battle between Ford, Chevy and Toyota on the full-size pickup front. We've heard this story before, hell, we've told this story before, but what caught our eye was close to the end of the article when MSNSB Business Editor Roland Jones tells us that the 2007 Toyota Tundra's top engine, the i-Force 5.7-liter V8, will produce 381 horsepower. Wow! We've been trying to get that info out of Toyota since the Chicago auto show back in February, and Roland just lets it roll of the tongue like he were quoting rear-seat leg room. Unfortunately no torque numbers were mentioned, though we're far from sure this number is accurate anyway.
If it is, the Tundra will have a significantly more powerful large V8 to offer customers than will Ford, Dodge or Chevy. The F-150 offers the 5.4-liter Triton V8 that produces 300 hp and 365 ft-lbs. of torque, while the Dodge RAM can be had with a 5.7-liter HEMI V8 producing 345 hp and 375 ft-lbs. of torque. Toyota, however, would clearly be aiming at Chevy if this number is accurate, as the Silverado's Vortec MAX 6.0-liter V8 produces 367 hp and 375 ft-lbs. of torque. Toyota promised us back in February that the Tundra would be able to tow 10,000 lbs. with this engine, though since then both Ford and Chevy have increased the maximum towing capacities of their half-ton pickups to 10,500 lbs. With such a powerful V8, the Tundra should have no trouble meeting and/or exceeding the new towing limits of the domestics. Of course, that's assuming the Tundra's frame can take it.
[Source: MSNBC via GMInsideNews]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 6)
Paul 2:03PM (10/26/2006)
and now why would anyone buy a truck from gm or ford when there is a better japanese design available?
cant use the horsepower excuse any longer.
build those F150 and silverados in China, cut the prices 40% and they will then compete with toyota.
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micahel 10:22PM (6/03/2008)
True, But we still have to have faith in the American Product and support our workers here.
http://www.bestusedcarsite.com
porker 2:55PM (10/26/2006)
And with that obviously overstated HP figure,the tyotie will also have, what, double-digit torque? Really, the nipponese should concede this market and try to hold on to what they've already stolen from the American companies.
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Dubbedinenglish 2:15PM (10/26/2006)
How much torque?
Hp doesn't sell sell trucks torque does, just ask Dodge....
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Pete 2:14PM (10/26/2006)
I'm typically okay (neither thrilled nor especially disappointed) with Toyota design, but the new Tundra just appears out of proportion... front heavy or something. Materials will likely be good and quality is almost certain but the design appears a little off. Just my opinion based on the pictures I've seen. Cars/trucks have a tendency to appear better in 3-D most of the time anyway so I'll reserve final judgement until I see them driving around... and being a Toyota, there will likely be a bunch of them driving around before long.
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Brian W 2:14PM (10/26/2006)
Why is it that every time Toyota plays the HP game the press buys right into it? Just because it has higher HP doesn't mean it's a better engine. You guys rave about the Camry 3.5L but it is the least sold model. With the current/future price of gas you should be praising makers that offer a 3.0L rather than all or nothing 2.4L-3.5L.
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ford who 2:14PM (10/26/2006)
Toyota have already got a sale out of me!
387 horsepower!! thats sweet!
can some one explain a reason to buy a f150 now?
future tundra owner.
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5 watt 2:19PM (10/26/2006)
I hope no one is confusing this rumor with a fact. I wonder how big this claim by MSNBC gets before Toyota has to make an official comment.
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AmericanTruckGuy 2:19PM (10/26/2006)
How long has Toyota been trying to take apiece of teh American Truck market? 20 years? How well have they done? Not so well. Some people will never buy a Japanese truck regardless of how much better they are than American.
Besides, HP isn't what always matters....torque is for those who really use their trucks for the designated purpose of pulling/hauling etc.
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Mike Razpezdaev 6:26PM (10/26/2006)
The rope around Wagoner's neck.......ahhhhhhh
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DarkKnight67 2:28PM (10/26/2006)
Anybody notice that this truck's introduction has been pushed back repeatedly? For all their desire to dominate the market, they can't tell us that change is coming quickly.
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Fabulo 2:25PM (10/26/2006)
Wow. Getting all excited about *ONE* number. It could be 12 tons, have a 2 speed gearbox, and be a one seater just big enough to sit a 12 year old at the wheel, but if it has 387 horses, wow, I'll buy it now!
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Jeff the Baptist 2:35PM (10/26/2006)
Yeah, yeah, horsepower. Big f'in deal. What does the torque curve look like? Trucks need low end torque and a broad powerband for hauling and pulling things.
Japanese engine design has largely been committed to making "powerful" engines by sacrificing torque, especially low-end torque, and shrinking the powerband. That doesn't actually work with trucks, at least not for trucks that actually get put to work.
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John 2:31PM (10/26/2006)
4. Toyota have already got a sale out of me!
387 horsepower!! thats sweet!
can some one explain a reason to buy a f150 now?
future tundra owner.
Posted at 2:14PM on Oct 26th 2006 by ford who 0 stars
Unfortunately for Toyota, most of its current buyers think like you.
When OPEC sneezes, you'll be bolting for the nearest Yaris/Fit!
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Piter 2:32PM (10/26/2006)
They need to put out a heavy duty Hybrid draivetrain... they could probably get 500+ ftlbs @ 0 rpm from the DC motor alone.
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JapCrap 2:33PM (10/26/2006)
That piece of crap still will not make a REAL truck buyer buy it! GM/Ford/Dodge.......all better is everyway. Nice try...you might get all the blue hairs to buy a Camry but you can't fool a truck buyer.
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Ken 2:36PM (10/26/2006)
. and now why would anyone buy a truck from gm or ford when there is a better japanese design available?
Paul, how do you know it's a better truck when it's not even out yet? You must be one rich dude if you can predict the future. How are you doing in the stock market? Pretty good I bet! The F-150 has had the smallest HP in the game for some time, and yet they STILL outsell the rest. As stated earlier, torque is were it's at. Do you think Ford & GM will let Toyota have it's way with the truck market like they have with the small car market? The let them have the small truck market in the past because it wasn't profitable, for them, anyway. As you have most likely noticed Ford & GM (and now DCX) need to sell profitable vehicles (trucks). They're not going to just give up. I believe Ford has re-dedicated itself to devloping the 6.2L Hurricane engine for the F-150 for '08 or '09, along with a new (for the F-150) diesel.
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Rock 2:44PM (10/26/2006)
At what RPM does it produce that 381 hp? Is that a realistic operating range for this engine in this vehicle?
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Shawn 3:06PM (10/26/2006)
...So when Ridgeline wins truck of the year from every automotive media, the writers all claim that no one really needs power, torque, ability to tow/haul because no one really needs a truck. Now Toyota builds a truck and suddenly that's good news?
What about all that Autoblog Green stuff that blasted SUVs/Trucks for poor mpg and dangerous to other drivers. I mean, do you want to be in a Smart being slammed into by a full size truck going at whatever speed 381 hp can take you to?
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Keith 2:51PM (10/26/2006)
I wonder if this 381 hp would be on 87 octane.
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