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Story by Toyota: 7th January 2000

Toyota Equips All-New Tundra With Class-Leading Performance

The all-new 2000 Toyota Tundra has arrived on the full-size pickup truck scene with true competitive superiority in the areas of acceleration, braking and towing. Tundra sets new standards in quality, value and safety features that have come to be expected in a passenger car.

Toyota Tundra. Photograph by Wieck.

The Tundra is built exclusively at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana (TMMI), an all-new $1.2-billion facility located in Gibson County, near the city of Princeton. When plant construction is completed, the two-million-square-foot facility will have the capacity to assemble two vehicles, with a combined volume of 150,000 units per year, and employ approximately 2,300 team members.

A recently announced $800-million expansion of TMMI will increase capacity to 300,000 units per year and employ an additional 2,000 people.

Beneath its hood, beats the heart of one of the most sophisticated power-plants ever offered in a full-size pickup. The all-new i-Force V8 engine delivers class-leading acceleration, capable of running with the competition's optional V8s. It has exceptional low-end torque and top-end acceleration, and delivers more than 2,000 pounds of payload and up to 7,200 pounds of towing capacity. Its blend of ride comfort, cornering, handling and off-highway performance is unsurpassed. The i-Force 4.7-liter engine is the first double-overhead cam, 32-valve V8 offered in the full-size segment. It also is one of the first V8 engines in the segment to achieve a Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) emissions classification. Most important, this engine delivers 245 horsepower and 315 lbs.-ft. of torque.

Offered as standard is Tundra's capable 3.4-liter double-overhead cam, 24-valve V6 engine that generates 190 horsepower and 220 lbs.-ft. of torque. Tundra comes in a wide variety of configurations including 2WD or 4WD, two-door regular-cab with an eight-foot bed or four-door Access Cab with a six-and-a-half-foot bed. Both the V8 and V6 engines are matched to a smooth-shifting, four-speed automatic transmission. The V6 also is available with a five-speed manual transmission.

All Tundras are standard-equipped with power-assisted front-ventilated, four piston caliper disc brakes and rear drums. Four-wheel anti-lock brakes (ABS) also are available on all models.

The new Access Cab features large double-doors and one of the most expansive entry areas in the segment. It also is the only four-door pickup to feature interior and exterior handles on each door providing easier operation than the commonly used door-jam mechanism.

The Access Cab's 60/40 rear split-bench seat provides seating for three passengers, dual adjustable outboard headrests and a fold-down center armrest with cup holders. Valuables can be hidden out of sight in a storage compartment under the rear seat cushion or the cushion can be folded up to handle cargo, instead of passengers.


Toyota Tundra. Photograph by Wieck.

Tundra packs a full load of roominess, comfort and convenience in both regular and Access Cab layout. Tundra is available with either a front 60/40 split-bench seat with fold-down center console armrest or dual contoured captain's chairs with power driver's seat and two-level center console. The extra-large console features a removable tray and coin holder, cassette or CD storage below and twin cup holders in front with up to 32-ounce capacity.

Tundra will offer a wide range of standard equipment that will include a locking tailgate, dual 12-volt power outlets, driver- and passenger-side sun visors with pull-out extensions, High Solar Energy-Absorbing glass and all-new sound systems, including an optional 3-in-1 AM/FM cassette with a 6-CD in-dash changer and six speakers.


The Tundra combines class-leading ground clearance with an advanced "touch select" four-wheel-drive system that features a shift-on-the-fly electronically-controlled transfer case on V8 models. The system includes convenient control buttons located on the dashboard that switch the front differential and transfer case settings between two-wheel-drive, high four-wheel-drive and low four-wheel-drive modes.

An optional Off-Road Package, jointly developed by Toyota Racing Development (TRD) and Toyota product planners, and inspired by legendary off-road racer Ivan Stewart, delivers added excitement and performance to Tundra four-wheel-drive Access Cab models. The TRD Off-Road Package features progressive rate springs, Billstein mono-tube high-pressure gas shocks with off-road tuned suspension, BF Goodrich all-terrain tires, alloy wheels, front and rear contoured mudguards, fog lamps, overfenders and TRD custom badging.

An impressive list of available packages enhance Tundra's comfort and convenience. The Tundra convenience package includes power windows and door locks, driver and passenger dual function sun visors with vanity mirrors, cruise control, power chrome mirrors and sliding rear-window and privacy glass. Additional optional equipment includes captains chairs with two-tiered center console, deluxe audio systems and a variety of wheel styles and tire sizes. In addition, the Limited Grade has optional leather-trimmed captains chairs with driver-side power adjustment and simulated wood accents.

Tundra's roominess and comfort is complemented by a vast array of safety features that include standard-equipped driver and front passenger air bags with a passenger air bag cutoff switch, seat headrests and three-point ALR/ELR seatbelts in all outboard positions, an energy absorbing steering column, side-door impact beams, rear center high mount stop lamp with cargo lights, optional four-wheel ABS and Daytime Running Lights.

Tundra will be offered in nine exterior colors including Natural White, Platinum Metallic, Thunder Gray Metallic, Black, Sunfire Red Pearl, Autumn Red Mica, Golden Sand Metallic, Imperial Jade Mica and Stellar Blue Pearl. A two-tone combination of Imperial Jade Mica/Thunder Gray Metallic also is offered. Exterior colors will be complemented by Gray, Light Charcoal and Oak interiors.