Autoblog

2013 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport

Dan Roth — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 14:59:00 EST

"Oh yeah, Toyota still makes the Tacoma." Admit it, that's what you just said to yourself. It's a perfectly natural reaction, but the Tacoma has been quietly anchoring its segment for years, outselling every other compact pickup without making too much of a fuss. Toyota hasn't neglected the Tacoma - it was updated in 2012 with a revised nose and interior as the most noteable changes.

In a world awash with high-value fullsize pickups all vying for your attention, the Tacoma still charms more than a few buyers out of their cash. I hooked a Tacoma for a week to see whether it still has enough to recommend it.

Driving Notes

The size of the Tacoma is nice. While fullsize trucks can feel a bit like the automotive equivalent of relaxed-fit jeans, the Tacoma does the Goldilocks "just right" thing for my purposes.
Yet the cozy cockpit of the Access Cab I drove can become uncomfortably tight if you've got adults using the jumpseats regularly. If you travel in a pack, get the Double Cab. That goes double if you've got kids still in child seats, it's the better choice.
You have to be really committed to buying a compact pickup to ignore the extra value that goes along with the usually useful size available in the hyper-competitive fullsize class. The Tacoma starts at $21,260 with a four-cylinder engine, but the one I drove was a V6 4x4 with an automatic and the $4,035 TRD Sport Extra Value Package, not to mention a few other options to drive the price up to $32,791.
You do get a pretty heavily loaded Tacoma for your money, though. To compare, a Ford F-150 STX SuperCab 4x4 rings in at $32,145, but doesn't come with the navigation, hitch, cargo-management features in the bed, running boards and TRD Sport package goodies like foglights, hood scoop, TRD graphics, alloy wheels and specially tuned suspension of the similarly priced Tacoma.
Still, the 4.0-liter V6 and five-speed automatic combo is just as thirsty here as a larger truck would be, returning only 18 mpg in my hands.
Despite its big V6, the Tacoma feels sluggish, too. The 4.0 V6 in the Nissan Frontier feels a lot more eager.
The interior was updated for 2012 too, getting water-resistant seat fabric with the TRD Sport package, along with black center console and door trim. It's hard plastic and shows scuffs easily, but it otherwise looks nice, and it's not like the rest of the class is any better.
The classic Toyota small-pickup traits remain. You sit low to the floor with your legs splayed out a bit, just like you always have, and the steering is tight and direct. Keep your boot out of it, and the V6 and five-speed auto are smooth operators, too.

2013 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Apr 2013 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota Tacoma TRD T/X Baja Series Limited Edition headed for dealers

Zach Bowman — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Performance, Truck, Toyota, Off-Road

Toyota has given SEMA 2011 visitors a glimpse at a pre-production version of the company's Tacoma TRD T/X Limited Edition. The newest addition to the Tacoma line is set to begin production in late spring of next year and will offer buyers a 4.0-liter V6 engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission or a five-speed automatic. An electronically controlled locking rear differential provides extra grip over uncertain terrain while active traction control, hill-descent control and hill-start assist control should help make things easier on the driver. The whole thing should breathe a bit easier and sound a bit better thanks to the standard TRD exhaust, too.

BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO tires are mounted on bead-lock style wheels, and 60 mm Bilstein race shocks paired with TRD springs up front help give the pickup a little more flex. The Tacoma TRD TX Limited Edition is fitted with 50 mm shocks in the rear with a remote reservoir and the front end rides two inches higher than its stablemates.

Lest we forget, there are also those rather loud bodyside graphics...

Continue reading Toyota Tacoma TRD T/X Baja Series Limited Edition headed for dealers

Toyota Tacoma TRD T/X Baja Series Limited Edition headed for dealers originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Nov 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota Long Beach Racers Tacoma is ready to tackle the Baja 1000

Zach Bowman — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 20:01:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Motorsports, Performance, Truck, Toyota, Off-Road, Racing

Toyota is headed to the Baja 1000 next year with a special Tacoma built specifically to take the worst that the Mexican desert can throw at it. The pickup has been specially-prepared by Long Beach Racers, a group of Toyota enthusiasts who have made a habit of building some of the toughest trucks to take to the off-road race. Created as a tribute to the production Tacoma TRD TX, the Long Beach Racers Tacoma boasts custom Bilstein 60mm racing shocks and 16-inch TRD wheels clad in 35-inch BF Goodrich tires. A SCORE-approved roll cage should keep everyone inside safe in the event of a shiny-side-down event.

In order to keep weight as low as possible, the team opted for carbon-fiber skid plates underneath. That's a good thing, considering that a 50-gallon fuel cell has replaced the stock tank. A TRD big brake kit is on hand to help bring all of that liquid weight down from speed, and an array of Hella HID lights means that drivers and can see the course ahead once the sun sets.

Toyota Long Beach Racers Tacoma is ready to tackle the Baja 1000 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Nov 2011 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Toyota Tacoma leaked in promo footage?

Jeff Glucker — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 15:30:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Toyota

It's almost time for us to get our eyeballs on the full monty that is the redesigned 2012 Toyota Tacoma. Waiting stinks, though, doesn't it? After all, this is the give-it-to-me-now Internet era, a mindset that applies to everything from music and movies to photos of next-generation automobiles. The Toyota Tacoma is no different, and unofficial images of the updated pickup have found their way to the web.

We think.

Our friend Mike Levine at PickupTrucks.com stumbled across a video of what looks to be an upcoming Tacoma commercial sans graphics. Toyota has yet to confirm what we're looking at in the clip, which you can view for yourself h ere, but you can check it out in our gallery of stills. Regardless, the official images should arrive soon, since the 2012 Tacoma is slated to hit dealer lots by October.

2012 Toyota Tacoma leaked in promo footage? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Aug 2011 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Dana coughs up $25M to Toyota over rusty Tacoma frames

Noah Joseph — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 17:34:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Government/Legal, Recalls, Toyota

1998 Toyota Tacoma

When an automaker is forced to issue a recall, the defective part or feature is generally the fault of the automaker or of an OEM supplier it contracted to. In the case of the Toyota Tacoma - part of a 110,000-unit recall in 2009 - the problem appears to have been traced back to the supplier. And now the supplier is forced to pay for its mistakes.

The company in question, according to reports, is Dana, the Ohio-based OEM contractor supplying (among other components) axles and driveshafts for automobiles, commercial trucks and heavy equipment. In this case, it supplied the frames for the Tacoma pickup which were found to rust when exposed to road salt.

Although in 2010 Dana sold the plant that manufactures the frame to Mexican conglomerate Grupo Porza's Metalsa subsidiary, since the component in question was built prior to the sale (from 1995 to 2000), Dana has reportedly been forced to shell out $25 million to Toyota over the issue.

[Source: Reuters]

Report: Dana coughs up $25M to Toyota over rusty Tacoma frames originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Jan 2011 17:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2010: Toyota goes Talladega with NASCAR-ified Tacoma and Camry

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 06:59:00 EST

Filed under: SEMA Show, Coupe, Truck, Toyota, Specialty, Racing

Toyota Camry NASCAR Edition - Click above for high-res image gallery

Also at the Toyota booth here at the SEMA Show in Vegas, in addition to the pumped-up Prius Plus and the Swagger Wagon Supreme, was the NASCAR-bred, V8-powered, two-door, rear-wheel-drive Camry concept by RK Customs and the equally impressive Tacoma RTR concept.

Both of these machines were created to prove that Toyota can make high-quality performance vehicles, and they rely on their racing heritage to make that statement. Each is powered by a V8 engine; in the case of the Camry, a 358 cubic inch TRD NASCAR powerplant producing 680 horsepower, and as for the Tacoma, a supercharged 5.7-liter with 504 horses lies underhood. You can see each race-bred, red and white street machine in our high-res galleries below.

Gallery: Toyota Camry Nascar Edition

Gallery: SEMA 2010: Toyota RTR Tacoma

SEMA 2010: Toyota goes Talladega with NASCAR-ified Tacoma and Camry originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Nov 2010 06:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota launches production of Tacoma at San Antonio plant

Sam Abuelsamid — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 08:28:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Plants/Manufacturing, Toyota

2010 Toyota Tacoma - Click above for high-res image gallery

Production of the Toyota Tacoma resumed in July after tooling was moved from its former home at NUMMI in Fremont, California to San Antonio, Texas. The Texas factory is also home to the full-size Tundra which has not lived up to sales expectations, leaving lots of extra capacity.

Adding Tacoma production in Texas cost Toyota $100 million and brought 1,000 new jobs to the facility. Toyota spent about $1.3 billion on the San Antonio plant and tooled it up for 300,000 units a year. However, the Tundra has never even hit half that mark. With all of Toyota's North American pickup production now consolidated at San Antonio, the plant could finally come close to its capacity.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Toyota Tacoma 4x2 PreRunner

[Source: Toyota]

Continue reading Toyota launches production of Tacoma at San Antonio plant

Toyota launches production of Tacoma at San Antonio plant originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Aug 2010 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2010 Toyota Tacoma 4x2 PreRunner is a troubled fish in a shrinking pond

Chris Shunk — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Toyota, New Car Reviews, Off-Road

2010 Toyota Tacoma 4x2 PreRunner - Click above for high-res image gallery

There was a time when pickup trucks came in three sensible sizes; small, medium and large. That's changed in recent years, as most pint-sized trucks have grown substantially to maintain distance compared to the similarly inflating half-ton pickup truck segment. The Toyota Tacoma is no different, as the second generation of the popular pickup is eight inches wider and over a foot longer than the 1995 Taco. And don't even try comparing the latest Tacoma to Marty McFly's stellar 1985 Toyota Pickup in the Back to the Future films, which could almost fit in the bed of a modern heavy-duty.

But while the Tacoma has adjusted to fit the growing whims of U.S. truck buyers, sales have dropped anyway. Over the past three years, nameplate sales have plunged by over 60 percent, and 2010 isn't looking any better. Has the Tacoma - last redesigned way back in 2005 - become long-in-the-tooth, or are car buyers simply turning away from the mid-size truck? We spent a week reacquainting ourselves with a TR5 PreRunner Double Cab to find out.

Follow the jump to continue...

Gallery: Review: 2010 Toyota Tacoma 4x2 PreRunner

Continue reading Review: 2010 Toyota Tacoma 4x2 PreRunner is a troubled fish in a shrinking pond

Review: 2010 Toyota Tacoma 4x2 PreRunner is a troubled fish in a shrinking pond originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Aug 2010 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sneak Peek: 2011 Toyota Tacoma gets revised grille

Jonathon Ramsey — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 15:33:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Toyota

Following the example of the Nissan Titan/Frontier updating scheme, Toyota is preparing its 2011 Tacoma pickup. We've detailed the main change happening under the skin - a bevy of automatic transmissions replacing discontinued manuals. As for the outside, PickupTrucks.com has posted the above photo of a pre-production Taco. Can you spot the difference? That's right! The two-bar grille is now a one-bar grille! You know what they say about messing with perfection. The midsize truck will appear later this year starting at $16,365, ringing the bell for $27,525 at the high end.

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

Sneak Peek: 2011 Toyota Tacoma gets revised grille originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 04 Jul 2010 15:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota prices 2011 Tacoma, deletes some manuals, adds more automatics

Zach Bowman — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 18:01:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Truck, Toyota

Toyota has dropped the goods on next year's Tacoma, and it looks like the company will be giving the people what they want by offering more automatic transmissions as standard equipment. For 2011, the Japanese automaker is nixing three manual gearbox models and adding five new slusher versions of the pickup. Prices for the pickups will start at $16,365 for a bare bones, manual-transmission, two-wheel drive regular cab and top out at $27,525 for a V6-equipped four-wheel drive with an automatic gearbox and a double cab long-bed.

Buyers will continue to be able to opt between a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine with 159 horsepower or a more potent 4.0-liter V6 with 236 horsepower. Those power figures have stayed on from last year, so we're betting fuel economy from both will stay on par with 2010 models as well. That means that the base truck will hit close to 20 mpg city and 26 mpg highway while the topped out version will land closer to 16 mpg city and 20 mpg highway. Hit the jump for the full press release.

[Source: Toyota]

Continue reading Toyota prices 2011 Tacoma, deletes some manuals, adds more automatics

Toyota prices 2011 Tacoma, deletes some manuals, adds more automatics originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Jun 2010 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #178: GM Profit, Civic Redesign, 40 mpg Fiesta

Dan Roth — Tue, 18 May 2010 17:19:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts, Etc., BMW, Ford, GM, Earnings/Financials

Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

Our iTunes feed for the Autoblog Podcast is still busted, thanks to the TV Squad debacle with an update gone wrong. We're still waiting on resolution of the issue, and the real fix may involve each and every one of you having to resubscribe. We'll let you know.

In the meantime, if you subscribe to The Autoblog Podcast via iTunes, you may not automatically receive this week's episode. The easiest workaround until we get this fixed is to use the link below to download the MP3 file directly and drag it into iTunes. We're terribly sorry for the inconvenience, thanks for your ongoing patience.

For Episode #178 of the Autoblog Podcast, Chris Shunk, Sam Abuelsamid, and Dan Roth cover GM's profit announcement, the delayed Honda Civic redesign, the 40 mpg fuel economy rating for the Ford Fiesta, and wistfully pine to have been part of our recent sports car comparison test. It starts with the Autoblog Garage and ends with a couple questions, with 82 minutes between snippets of theme music. See you next week!

Autoblog Podcast #178: GM Profit, Civic Redesign, 40 mpg Fiesta

In the Autoblog Garage:

BMW 750Li
BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo
Toyota Tacoma

Hosts:
Chris Shunk, Sam Abuelsamid, Dan Roth,
Runtime: 1:22:04

Get the podcast:
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
[RSS] Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator
[MP3] Download the MP3 directly

Feedback:
Email: Podcast at Autoblog dot com
Voicemail: 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763)

Review the show in iTunes and take our survey

Autoblog Podcast #178: GM Profit, Civic Redesign, 40 mpg Fiesta originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 May 2010 17:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #177 - What's up with the AB Podcast in iTunes?

Dan Roth — Tue, 11 May 2010 17:45:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts, Etc., Technology, Acura, Audi, BMW, Toyota, Ferrari, Diesel

Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

Before we get to this week's show, we wanted to explain what's up with The Autoblog Podcast in iTunes. The short story is that TV Squad, one of our sister sites in the AOL Network, recently received an update that went awry. The result was all of our RSS feeds being replaced with the TV Squad RSS feed. The issue was quickly fixed, but for some reason iTunes isn't recognizing this fact and continues to display the TV Squad podcast as if it were The Autoblog Podcast. We're in contact with people from iTunes who assure us the problem is being worked on, so hang tight.

In the meantime, if you subscribe to The Autoblog Podcast via iTunes, you will not automatically receive this week's episode. The easiest workaround until we get this fixed is to use the link below to download the MP3 file directly and drag it into iTunes. We're terribly sorry for the inconvenience, even though it's not our fault. Send your hate mail to TV Squad.

Chris Shunk, Sam Abuelsamid, Dan Roth, and Steven Ewing take on topsy-turvy topics like hybrid Ferraris, the Land Rover LRX, Hyundai's focus-grouping a pickup truck, Toyota's possible hydrogen future, and the OnStar relaunch. There's the Autoblog Garage to start, and we finish with questions for this week's 80-minute installment. See you next week!

Autoblog Podcast #177: What? Hybrid Ferraris, FWD Land Rovers, and Hyundai Pickups

In the Autoblog Garage:

Audi A3 TDI
Acura ZDX
BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo
Toyota Tacoma

Hosts:
Chris Shunk, Sam Abuelsamid, Dan Roth, Steven J. Ewing

Runtime: 1:18:56

Get the podcast:
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
[RSS] Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator
[MP3] Download the MP3 directly

Feedback:
Email: Podcast at Autoblog dot com
Voicemail: 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763)

Review the show in iTunes and take our survey

Autoblog Podcast #177 - What's up with the AB Podcast in iTunes? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 May 2010 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: World's first Apple iPad in-car installation looks pretty clean

Frank Filipponio — Mon, 05 Apr 2010 14:00:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Truck, Technology, Videos, Toyota

World's first Apple iPad automotive installation - Click above to view video after the jump

You knew it wouldn't be long before somebody tried to install the new Apple iPad in their ride. Well, it's already happened, and the "somebody" in this case is Doug Bernards of SoundMan Car Audio in Santa Clarita, California. The team's ride of choice for what is claimed to be the world's first automotive iPad install is a Toyota Tacoma pickup. SoundMan decided to use a McIntosh amp for the build, naturally. The team was among the first to receive an iPad, and they got to work immediately. The video chronicling the installation is after the jump.

Besides the iPad, the system consists of an Audison Bit One processor, the McIntosh six-channel amplifier, an Onkyo ND-S1 and "a special iPod dock which allows the digital signal to be pulled from the iPad and distributed to the BitOne via optical output." As the blurb on the company's website puts it:

We chose to use the iPad as the only source for the vehicles entertainment system. The dock connector will plug into a cable that runs to a Onkyo ND-S1 which will send the digital signal from the iPad directly into an Audison Bit One. The Bit One will then act as the D/A converter, and will also process the audio signal. The Bit One also has a great controller for adjusting the volume and audio settings. The amplifier we chose is the McIntosh MCC406M. Stay tunned for the rest of the build. You'll be able to find all the pictures and videos on this page as they become available.

Follow the jump to follow the installation from unboxing the components to firing it up. While the screen looks enormous in the dash, it actually doesn't look out of place and at first glance, it almost appears factory installed. The placement of the controller is a bit of a tell, and the rounded edges of the iPad need a bezel perhaps, but job well done on job number one. The team still needs to fully wire it up, but the mockup is finished. Stay tuned for part two after the rest of the components arrive. Great tip, VJ!

[Source: YouTube]

Continue reading Video: World's first Apple iPad in-car installation looks pretty clean

Video: World's first Apple iPad in-car installation looks pretty clean originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Apr 2010 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota issues fresh 2010 Camry recall, reexamining Tacoma unintended acceleration as alleged death toll mounts

Chris Paukert — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 13:28:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Truck, Recalls, Safety, Toyota

2010 Toyota Camry - Click above for high-res image gallery

With its upcoming Capitol Hill hearings only about a week away, Toyota appears to be attempting to tie up any loose ends with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The government agency has just announced a new recall for the 2010 Camry, and the embattled automaker is apparently taking a second look at unintended acceleration cases with its Tacoma pickup while deflecting more unintended acceleration death allegations as well.

Today, NHTSA has announced that it is recalling 7,314 four-cylinder Camry sedans because the power steering pressure hose might be "insufficient." According to the government agency's official verbiage (available after the jump), "the cap between the crimp on the pressure hose and the brake tube for the left rear brake may be insufficient," a condition that could lead to the brake tube interfering with the crimp, resulting in perforation. If said tube cracks, a brake fluid leak can occur - and we all know what can happen from there. Affected units will have their brake tubes adjusted and/or replaced as necessary.

In other Toyota/NHTSA developments, Automotive News reports that the Japanese automaker is re-investigating complaints of unintended acceleration in its Tacoma pickup. The renewed probe reportedly arrives on the heels of "a congressional query about the unusual number of unintended acceleration reports since 2005." The previous investigation covered some 514 reported incidents in which 2004-2008 Tacomas allegedly experienced unintended acceleration episodes that resulted in 71 accidents and 17 injuries.

Automotive News notes that Toyota's previous 2008 investigation concluded with the finding that a majority of cases "are related to minor drivability issues and are not indicative of a safety-related defect." NHTSA apparently conducted its own seven-month probe into 2006-2007 Tacomas in 2008, but never took any action, noting that "the information suggesting a possible defect related to motor vehicle safety is quite limited." Just last week, Toyota recalled 8,000 Tacomas to fix an unrelated driveshaft malady.

Finally, in related Toyota safety news, the Associated Press reports that new complaints lodged with the federal government bring the automaker's alleged sudden acceleration toll up to 34 since 2000. That's an increase of 13 in three weeks, with the alleged deaths stemming from nine accidents occurring between 2005 and 2010. The AP notes that between 2000 and 2009, the government had received complaints alleging 21 deaths tied to unintended acceleration in Toyota vehicles. The AP suggests that the spike in new complaint filings likely stems from "the heightened awareness of the massive recall among the public and underscore a flurry of lawsuits on behalf of drivers alleging deaths and injuries in Toyota crashes." Thanks for the tip, David!

Gallery: Detroit 2009: 2010 Toyota Camry

[Sources: NHTSA, Associated Press (via El Paso Times), Automotive News - subs. req.]

Tired of Toyota recall news? Try out the recall-free version of Autoblog.

Continue reading Toyota issues fresh 2010 Camry recall, reexamining Tacoma unintended acceleration as alleged death toll mounts

Toyota issues fresh 2010 Camry recall, reexamining Tacoma unintended acceleration as alleged death toll mounts originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 15 Feb 2010 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Nissan Frontier tops latest round of IIHS crash tests, Chevrolet Colorado hits bottom

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 15:29:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Safety, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, GM, Nissan, Toyota

IIHS compact pickup crash tests - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has tested five compact pickup trucks for both rollover and side impact crashes, and overall, it would seem that the trucks' performances were pretty dismal. Only the Nissan Frontier was given a 'Good' rating from the IIHS for rollover protection, with the Ford Ranger falling to second place with an 'Acceptable' rating and the Chevrolet Colorado, Dodge Dakota and Toyota Tacoma earning lowly 'Marginal' scores.

Side impact scores also failed to live up to expectations for some trucks, with the Frontier, Ranger and Tacoma getting 'Good' ratings and the Colorado getting the lowest 'Poor' rating. Equally as disturbing, though, was the performance of the Dakota, which was tested with optional side air bags (all the other trucks come standard with the bags) that failed to deploy in IIHS testing. Chrysler has reportedly identified the software glitch that caused the air bags not to deploy and is working on a fix. The Dakota will be retested with properly functional air bags at a later date.

See the results of the testing in our image gallery below and click past the break for the official press release from the IIHS.

Gallery: IIHS Compact Pickup Tests

[Source: The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety]

Continue reading Nissan Frontier tops latest round of IIHS crash tests, Chevrolet Colorado hits bottom

Nissan Frontier tops latest round of IIHS crash tests, Chevrolet Colorado hits bottom originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 04 Feb 2010 15:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Cut It Out: Toyota's recalled pedal modification remedy detailed step-by-step

Chris Paukert — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 13:57:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Recalls, Safety, Lexus, Toyota

Toyota/Lexus gas pedal recall modification - click above for gallery

Late last month, Toyota announced that it would begin its biggest recall action ever, summoning 3.8 million cars and trucks back to its dealers to combat "pedal entrapment" by cutting down the accelerator pedals of customer cars to avoid them getting hung-up on floormats, resulting in "unintended acceleration." Although Toyota plans to eventually substitute redesigned units for the shaved pedals (beginning in April), for the moment, it's shaved pedals or nothing.

Up until now, we didn't know what went into the modification process or how the finished pedal looks, as Toyota has worked hard to keep this process confidential. However, thanks to an anonymous Autoblog reader who happens to work in service at a Lexus franchise, we now have a much better idea of what goes into the process. Our source reveals that he's only witnessed the alteration carried out on a ES350, not the IS or any other Toyota model, but we imagine the process is quite similar for other vehicles.

In any case, the procedure is surprisingly involved, with the automaker providing the following tools to every dealership: A cutter, an electric sanding wheel, a gauge to measure how much of the pedal is to be removed and a smaller foam block to go under the carpet. Lexus is disbursing people from its area offices to train dealer technicians on the process, and Toyota is undoubtedly doing the same.

We'll let our source take it from here:

"We will have to remove the gas pedal from the vehicle and place it on a vise. Using the gauge, we are to mark the amount to be removed and cut it off. After this, we take the sanding wheel and angle the edges to make a smooth contoured surface that both looks nice and will not stick to the floor carpet or floor mat.

Also included in the repair is to replace a foam block under the floor carpet with a smaller one to lower the height of the floor slightly behind the gas pedal. What was explained to us is the foam block is glued to the bottom of the floor carpet from the factory. The block will need to be removed by heating the top side of the floor carpet with a hair dryer - not a heat gun. This is to prevent burning of the floor carpet.

(Click through to the jump for the rest of the process and more details)

Gallery: Toyota/Lexus gas pedal recall modification

Continue reading Cut It Out: Toyota's recalled pedal modification remedy detailed step-by-step

Cut It Out: Toyota's recalled pedal modification remedy detailed step-by-step originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 Dec 2009 13:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Toyota to add 850 more jobs in San Antonio to build more pickups

Dan Roth — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 08:30:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Plants/Manufacturing, Toyota

2007 Toyota Tundra Limited - click above for high resolution gallery

NUMMI's loss will be San Antonio's gain. Toyota is adding a second shift at its truck plant and looking to hire 850 workers for the production increase, and since Toyota's suppliers are located on-site, they're also adding a second shift and hiring.

The relocated Tacoma production from NUMMI is projected to roll 150,000 vehicles out per year, still below the 200,000 trucks Toyota wanted to be making when it launched the current Tundra. It's a way for Toyota to hedge its pickup bets. When the market for the biggies sags, Tacomas may be more appealing; the plant could adjust its mix and keep going. While Toyota's pickup volume is a small slice of the market, San Antonio may wind up loving the Tundra and Tacoma in a big way.

Gallery: 2007 Toyota Tundra Limited

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

REPORT: Toyota to add 850 more jobs in San Antonio to build more pickups originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Dec 2009 08:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BREAKING: Toyota to recall 3.8M vehicles to reshape and replace pedals

Chris Paukert — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 10:03:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Recalls, Safety, Toyota

Toyota has announced that it will recall some 3.8 million cars and trucks to reshape and/or replace their accelerator pedals. The action is the result of fears that loose floormats may cause the accelerator pedal to stick, increasing the risk of an accident. The recall will be the largest in the Japanese automaker's history, and it will cover a wide range of vehicles from the 2004 model year through 2010 - a complete list is available after the jump. The move comes after an earlier action where Toyota announced it would recall 3.8 million vehicles to only swap floor mats.

Working with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Toyota will effect the recall by sending letters to owners of its Avalon, Camry, and Lexus ES 350 models by year's end. Five other models, including the Prius, Tacoma, Tundra, and Lexus IS 250/IS 350 will receive similar notices sometime in 2010.

The plan includes training dealer service representatives to reshape gas pedals, and Toyota will develop and ship redesigned gas pedals beginning in April. Those customers who have elected to have their pedals initially reshaped will still be able to have the pedal replaced when the updated unit becomes available. Vehicles fitted with Toyota or Lexus-made all-weather floor mats will also receive a new set of redesigned front mats.

Interestingly, Toyota will also install a a brake override system that will turn off the engine if both the accelerator and the brake are depressed simultaneously. According to Automotive News, this update will occur on "involved Camry, Avalon, and Lexus ES 350, IS 350 and IS 250 models 'as an extra measure of confidence.'" This action appears to be limited to vehicles that employ Toyota's push-button start system, but interestingly its hybrid-only Prius has apparently been excluded.

For its part, Toyota says the cost of the action will come entirely from its dedicated recall fund, a $5.6 billion dollar stash, and therefore, the recall will have "no effect" on its business. The news come on the heels of yesterday's announcement that Toyota will recall 2000-2003 Tundra pickups over frame rust issues.

A complete list of vehicles covered under the action and both NHTSA and Toyota's official press releases are available after the jump.

[Sources: Reuters; Automotive News; NHTSA; Toyota]

Continue reading BREAKING: Toyota to recall 3.8M vehicles to reshape and replace pedals

BREAKING: Toyota to recall 3.8M vehicles to reshape and replace pedals originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Nov 2009 10:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2009: Toyota Tacoma All-Terrain Gamer (ATG) takes gaming to illogical conclusions

Jonny Lieberman — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:58:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Truck, Japan, Toyota, Toys/Games, Specialty

Toyota Tacoma All-Terrain Gamer - Click above for high-res image gallery

It's said that one hundred monkeys typing for eternity will eventually bang out the complete works of William Shakespeare. However, they will also come up with a whole bunch of other, um... stuff. Including the design brief for this thing. Yes friends, you are looking at a pickup truck designed to take you and several of your friends out into the woods to play video games. No, really. And if you get bored of playing HALO ~~OCD~~ ODST, you can go ride around on one of two Cannondale mountain bikes, presumably hucking rocks at the other guy. We would be rue to not point out that ATG comes complete with no less than four Xbox Elite consoles.

We'll hand out a limited number of props (very limited) for chopping out the B-pillars in order to accommodate the giant gullwings. While we didn't see the seats in action, we're fairly sure that the driver and front passenger seats swing out to allow all four peeps play along at the same time. And somehow the front video screen(s) slide into place and/or fold up out of the way. There's also a very large flat screen out back so that others can watch you and your buddies virtually kill each other. And the custom green metallic anthracite paint is the same color on your Xbox. Want to know more? Make the jump for the full press release.

Gallery: SEMA 2009: Toyota Tacoma All-Terrain Gamer

Continue reading SEMA 2009: Toyota Tacoma All-Terrain Gamer (ATG) takes gaming to illogical conclusions

SEMA 2009: Toyota Tacoma All-Terrain Gamer (ATG) takes gaming to illogical conclusions originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Toyota adding 850 jobs in San Antonio truck factory

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 08:28:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Plants/Manufacturing, Toyota

Toyota's arrangements for its San Antonio plant are coming together after the closure of NUMMI and the announced relocation of Tacoma pickup production. The company will be adding 850 permanent and temporary workers to its labor force in Texas, taking the number of associates from 1,850 to about 2,700 - and that doesn't include increases in the supplier workforce. For those with an eye on the employment scene, Toyota posted the job openings in August and 14,000 people applied.

The assumption of Tacoma duties will put the San Antonio plant on a schedule of two shifts per day for the first time since last year's plant idling. When the $100 million retooling is finished, the plant will be able to produce 200,000 Tacomas every year. Toyota engineers are preparing the assembly line now and Tacoma production is scheduled to being next spring, with 100,000 units projected annually.

[Source: My San Antonio]

REPORT: Toyota adding 850 jobs in San Antonio truck factory originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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