Toyota Launches All-New Compact Pickup Truck, "Tacoma"

The original design concept for the Tacoma was provided by Toyota's Calty Design Research, Inc. in Newport Beach, California. The hood, fenders and grille of the Tacoma are deeply sculpted emphasizing the truck's sportiness and bold character lines. To visually differentiate the 2WD and 4WD Tacomas, styling variations were made to the front fascia and fenders.

Tacoma features an all-new line-up of high performance engines. A 2.4-liter four-cylinder is standard on 2WD models, while 4WD models offer a 2.7-liter four-cylinder. Available on both configurations is the newly-developed 3.4-liter V6 introduced last fall in the larger T-100 pickup truck. All three high-performance engines produce more horsepower and torque than those found in the previous generation of compacts, have reduced noise and vibration, high reliability and low exhaust emissions.

A roomier cabin is one of the many refinements made to the compact pickup's interior. The cabin height and front hip point have been raised on both 2WD and 4WD models and the floor height has been lowered, improving ingress and egress. When stowed, the rear seat cushion of Tacoma's Xtracab model lies flush with the back of the cab. A folding table behind the Xtracab's passenger seat provides for the use of a child restraint system. The table may also be used as an additional cupholder.

The new Toyota compact pickup models have many safety features. A standard driver-side SRS airbag, center high-mount stop-light, adjustable, seatbelt anchors and improved side-view mirrors, along with optional four-wheel ABS, have been added.