David Lee- Toyota Motor Sales (TMS) U.S.A. Inc., today unveiled the all-new four-door Tacoma Double Cab compact pickup at a news conference at the Chicago Auto Show. The 2001 Tacoma Double Cab is one of five all-new light truck products Toyota will bring to market over the next 12 months.

"This year, Toyota will step up the pace in broadening the Tacoma compact pickup line-up, in response to what is emerging as one of the most-diverse buyer segments in the industry," said Don Esmond, Toyota Division group vice president and general manager. "Tacoma Double Cab is a key part of a strategy designed to elevate the Toyota brand to a position among the industry leaders in the North American light-truck segment. For Toyota, this will be the 'Year of the Truck and SUV.'"

When it arrives at Toyota dealers in October, the Tacoma Double Cab will deliver the cargo-hauling capability of a pickup truck, the passenger roominess and comfort of an SUV and rugged styling that makes a strong active-lifestyle statement.

The Tacoma Double Cab will assume premier status in the Tacoma lineup. It will be offered in SR5 and Limited trim levels with available off-road package, in either the two-wheel drive PreRunner series with four- or six-cylinder engines, or as a 4x4 -- powered exclusively by the 190-horsepower six.

With years of experience building the Toyota Hilux four-door pickup for markets in Europe, Asia and Australia, it would have been easy to build a Tacoma-version of this well-known commercial-use truck. Instead, Toyota engineers developed an all-new pickup…long…tall…and built specifically for the U.S. market.

Tacoma Double Cab will offer eleven inches of class-leading ground clearance, and a 61-inch cargo bed, that's six-and-a-half inches longer than Nissan Frontier. Its four, large conventional doors open to a well-appointed and roomy interior featuring spacious front and rear seating and a 60/40 fold-down rear bench with three-point outboard belts. The Tacoma Double Cab will attract a broad range of pickup buyers. First and foremost, it will appeal to repeat truck owners who need the cargo hauling capability of a pickup, with the added benefit of more interior roominess for crew and valuables.

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Next, it will attract young singles and couples with an active lifestyle, who are involved in the outdoors and group activities and need plenty of space for gear.

Finally, the Double Cab will serve as the perfect alternative to a minivan or SUV, for young families who will be drawn to its hybrid utility, versatility and aggressive image.

Esmond pointed out that the Double Cab is a critical part of Toyota's overall light-truck strategy, due to the Tacoma lineup's ability to attract young buyers to the brand. Last month, at the Detroit auto show, Toyota unveiled Sequoia, a full-size sport utility vehicle. The V8-powered Tundra-based SUV will be built alongside the Tundra at Toyota's production facility in Princeton, Indiana.

A new StepSide Tacoma, a Tacoma Pre-Runner and a supercharged Tacoma 4x4 shared the stage in Chicago with the Double Cab, which will arrive at dealerships in October.

Toyota also announced that two all-new sport utility vehicles will debut at the New York Auto Show in April. "Much more than an SUV or minivan alternative, the Tacoma Double Cab is a life-style statement," said Esmond. "It has been specifically developed to position the Tacoma line of compact pickups as a serious player in one of the industry's most dynamic segments. For Toyota, it is the "Year of the Truck and SUV"…and we got game."

ENGINE
3.4-liter, V6, double-overhead cam, 16-valve, 
cast iron block with aluminum alloy head and balance shafts

Bore & Stroke:          3.68 x 3.23 inches
Displacement:           3.4L / 3,378cc
Valve Train:            4 valve/cylinder
HP (SAE):               190 HP @ 4,800 RPM
Torque:                 220 lb.-ft. @ 3,600 RPM
Ignition System:        electronic
Fuel System:            EFI
Recommended Fuel:       87 octane unleaded

2.7-liter, four-cylinder, in-line double-overhead cam, 
16-valve, cast iron block with aluminum alloy head and balance shafts

Bore & Stroke:          3.74 x 3.74 inches
Displacement:           2.7L / 2,694cc
Valve Train:            4 valve/cylinder
HP (SAE):               150 HP @ 4,800 RPM
Torque:                 177 lb.-ft. @ 3,600 RPM
Ignition System:        electronic
Fuel System:            EFI
Recommended Fuel:       87 octane unleaded


TRANSMISSIONS
4 speed electronically controlled (4ECT) automatic 


EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS (inches)
Wheelbase:               121.9
Overall Length:          203.0
Overall Width:           70.3
Overall Height:          68.7


BED DIMENSIONS (inches)
Length:                  61.4
Width:                   57.9
Height:                  15.9	

-Autoworld.com

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