Autoblog

Betting on the success of the new Tundra in the insanely competitive full-size truck market, Toyota has loosely announced that they will not limit themselves to having only a half-ton pickup. A company spokesman says, "It would be safe to say" that a three-quarter ton truck is under strong consideration and would be in the market in 3-4 years.

Toyota won't confirm the rumors officially, but as the current marketing campaign is being unleashed to assault our senses and sensibilities about how the new Tundra proves that bigger is better, it seems like a natural progression of the program into bigger and even more capable trucks. Can a diesel be far behind?

[Source: Automotive News (sub req'd)]

The Texas State Fair was the location of another big truck announcement last week when Dodge announced its new Cummins turbo-diesel engine for the 2007 Dodge Ram 2500 and 3500. Enlarged to 6.7 liters from 5.9 through increases in both bore and stroke, the new inline-six turbodiesel now boasts 350 horsepower and 650 ft-lbs. of torque, all while meeting stricter diesel emissions standards for 2007. The engine also features an optional exhaust brake function that improves braking under heavy towing situations, a common feature of big rigs and large motor coaches.

The new power ratings makes the 6.7-liter Cummins turbodiesel competitive with new powerplants from both Ford and General Motors, each of which has also announced new or substantially upgraded diesel motors for 2007 and beyond.

Follow the jump to see how each automaker's new diesel compares with the others.

[Source: Dodge]

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Nissan does plan on building a heavy-duty version of its Nissan Titan pickup that will be ready for sale in late 2009. Production of the Quest minivan at the company's Canton, Miss. plant where both models are produces will likely be moved to make room for the bigger pickup. The Detroit News reports the truck would target contractors and trailer haulers, though doesn't comment on whether the new Nissan would gets its own beefy design like Ford's Super Duty line or settle for a pumped up version of the Titan's skin. Nissan sold 99,775 Titans last year, which, considering the market for full-size trucks is either holding steady or falling means that those sales were swiped from Ford, GM and Dodge. Expect this segment to get even more crowded when the new Toyota Tundra arrives.

[Source: WSJ via The Detroit News]