What is it?
Toyota Tundra Stepside
What's special about it?
Since its introduction in 2000, the Tundra has offered an alternative to fullsize truck buyers who don't mind trading ultimate towing and hauling ability for urban maneuverability and Toyota reliability. The Tundra lineup isn't especially varied — half-ton pickups in regular or extended cab configuration with either a V6 or a V8 — but long-term dependability sells itself, right? With the release of the Tundra Stepside concept, Toyota has communicated its intention to enter the sport truck market; the production version will arrive at dealerships in the fall of 2002.
These days, a sport truck requires assertive styling and performance, and the Tundra Stepside offers some of both, though we won't call it a substitute for Ford's SVT F-150 Lightning. Engineers started with a Tundra Limited Access Cab and gave the bed a stepside treatment — with the taillamps pulled tightly back from the wheel arches. The bed has the same width (between the wheelwells) and length as a standard Tundra bed, and it's actually a couple of inches deeper. In front, the pickup has a revised fascia with a larger grille that flows into the bumper and round foglights. A chrome-less monotone paint job completes the aesthetic package.
The Stepside concept has been fitted with a sport suspension package that allows it to hunker 4 inches closer to the ground than regular Tundras. New shock absorbers, sport tuning and a rear stabilizer bar should further ensure that the sport truck corners with a bit more gusto. To go along with its special suspension, the Stepside gets 20-inch performance alloys wrapped in Z-rated 275/35 tires in front and 295/40s in rear. The finishing touch is a dual after-cat exhaust system, which imparts a sufficiently terrifying roar as well as a few extra horsepower, bringing the 4.7-liter V8's total output to 245. A four-speed automatic transmission routes power to the rear wheels only.
Why should you care?
If you've always found the Tundra too bland — in terms of aesthetics and performance — the sport-tuned Tundra Stepside could be just for you. Still, when you consider the powerful engines in the Chevrolet/GMC and Ford lineups, it seems that the Toyota's sport truck ought to give buyers a bit more power — perhaps in the form of a TRD supercharger. — Erin Riches
Toyota Tundra Stepside
What's special about it?
Since its introduction in 2000, the Tundra has offered an alternative to fullsize truck buyers who don't mind trading ultimate towing and hauling ability for urban maneuverability and Toyota reliability. The Tundra lineup isn't especially varied — half-ton pickups in regular or extended cab configuration with either a V6 or a V8 — but long-term dependability sells itself, right? With the release of the Tundra Stepside concept, Toyota has communicated its intention to enter the sport truck market; the production version will arrive at dealerships in the fall of 2002.
These days, a sport truck requires assertive styling and performance, and the Tundra Stepside offers some of both, though we won't call it a substitute for Ford's SVT F-150 Lightning. Engineers started with a Tundra Limited Access Cab and gave the bed a stepside treatment — with the taillamps pulled tightly back from the wheel arches. The bed has the same width (between the wheelwells) and length as a standard Tundra bed, and it's actually a couple of inches deeper. In front, the pickup has a revised fascia with a larger grille that flows into the bumper and round foglights. A chrome-less monotone paint job completes the aesthetic package.
The Stepside concept has been fitted with a sport suspension package that allows it to hunker 4 inches closer to the ground than regular Tundras. New shock absorbers, sport tuning and a rear stabilizer bar should further ensure that the sport truck corners with a bit more gusto. To go along with its special suspension, the Stepside gets 20-inch performance alloys wrapped in Z-rated 275/35 tires in front and 295/40s in rear. The finishing touch is a dual after-cat exhaust system, which imparts a sufficiently terrifying roar as well as a few extra horsepower, bringing the 4.7-liter V8's total output to 245. A four-speed automatic transmission routes power to the rear wheels only.
Why should you care?
If you've always found the Tundra too bland — in terms of aesthetics and performance — the sport-tuned Tundra Stepside could be just for you. Still, when you consider the powerful engines in the Chevrolet/GMC and Ford lineups, it seems that the Toyota's sport truck ought to give buyers a bit more power — perhaps in the form of a TRD supercharger. — Erin Riches
Add A Comment »