2011 Toyota Tundra gets more powerful V6

The full-size truck market here in the United States is about as accommodating as a pool full of piranhas and rusty razor blades. In this one, shining segment, the Big Three enjoy unparalleled dominance; safe from attack from intruders from Japan and Germany thanks to a quirk in the tax structure and a lifetime worth of experience in crafting vehicles built to work.

Toyota is attempting to lure buyers away from the F-150, Silverado and Ram by offering a more powerful V6 engine in the 2011 Tundra. The automaker says that the reworked 4.0-liter V6 now packs the company's variable valve-timing technology, helping it churn out a full 270 horsepower. That's a bump of around 34 ponies compared to last year. Similarly, torque will see a nudge up to 278 pound-feet of twist, though the company hasn't said where in the rev band those numbers show up. Toyota has been using its twin variable valve timing system on both its 4.6- and 5.7-liter V8s to increase power and fuel economy for years, but this is the first time it has shown up on the smaller displacement six-pot

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/10/t...oost-for-2011/

 

Nice update

 

Apples to apples engine comparison, I'd take the F-150s....

 

Agree, that's a nice update. I wonder whether the torque peak ended up further up the rev band, though.

 

Take a look at the 4Runner and you will get your answer.

 

It's about time. Next-gen Tundra needs to be extremely competitive. Toyota also needs to FINALLY offer a REAL HEAVY DUTY version of the Tundra. There were lots of rumors that they were going to release an HD version of the current generation, but that wasn't to be.

All the American trucks are very competitive and up to date, and the F-Series absolutely dominates.

 

Yes about time, certainly not setting any new standards with that news.

 

If Toyota, like you suggest, is going to do a real heavy-duty truck, then they are going to have to put a stop to cost-cutting in the Tundra's design and use better-quality, heavier-duty parts. You can't be using C-Channel frame rails, sub-standard sheet metal, and tailgates that buckle under the bed-load like the current Tundra had when it debuted in 2006. And, yes.....a diesel dual-rear-wheel model for some heavy-duty stuff, if they want to compete with the F-350 and Silverado/Ram 3500.


Agreed, and, for decades, the F-150 has dominated, though there are indications that the newer Silverados are catching up in their reputation. GM has worked hard to make the new Silverado as attractive as the F-series. The latest Dodge Ram has also made some significant interior upgrades.

 

Agreed. Some of the quality problems on the current Tundra have been disappointing. If Toyota wants to be more competitive, the Tundra will definitely need to use higher-quality, heavier duty parts.

 

Its funny that the previous generation Tundra had a great quality interior and body, but was only lack in size/power/models. Now, this current generation Tundra has the size(huge), power train, and many models, but the quality is crap. When will Toyota get the Tundra right?

 

Nissan didn't get it completely right, either. The big Titan, unlike the 1Gen Tundra, had the required size/power from the start, but, while the truck didn't use flimsy parts like the 2Gen Tundra, it had assembly-quality problems at the notorious Canton, MS plant, which also built the Nissan Armada and Infiniti QX-56..

 

Most people who own the Tundra are quite happy with it, and don't think it has crap quality.

 

I agree.
I'd go F-150 too.

 

The new F150 is nice, but after driving my neighbors Platinum, I still prefer my dads new Ram 2500 with the 6 speed..I found it to be more comfortable and I really liked the interior more.