“First and foremost, Tundra will deliver true full-size pickup truck capability,” said Don Esmond of Toyota.

At first, it seemed that Toyota just wasn’t getting it. It introduced pickups that were almost full size, or “bigger than a compact” (or however the press mongers wanted to word it). The company also hedged on bringing a genuine V-8 engine to market, which any red-blooded American trucker will tell you is absolutely necessary in this lucrative and fiercely loyal market.

Whatever their reasoning in the past, the Tundra finally delivers. That all-important V-8 engine is 4.7 liters and 245 hp, and will be the first double-overhead cam, 32-valve offered. It runs lean enough to qualify as a low emission vehicle.

A V-6 engine will still be offered as standard equipment, as with most of the other domestic pickups. Not really an import at all, the Tundra is built exclusively at Toyota’s new $1.2 billion plant outside of Princeton, Ind.

Options aren't really optional

Toyota realized that just offering a full-size pickup truck with a V-8 would put the company in the running, but just barely.

The key to the full-size truck segment’s success is the wide range of options and configurations; you can get a truck to suit almost every purpose and need these days. Toyota offers the Tundra in two- or four-wheel drive; standard two door or four door; and 6 1/2- or 8-ft beds.

One area still lacking is in the variety of powerplants available. The V-8 is a welcome and necessary addition in that direction. But the U.S. competition offers more than just one V-8, as well as turbodiesels.

Those who need something for heavy-duty hauling or trailering won’t have the option of, say, a Cummins turbodiesel like on the Dodges, or a Super Duty Ford that can pull almost anything. Maximum towing weight with the Tundra V-8 is a relatively conservative 7,200 lb.

It does, however, offer such niceties as dual 12-V power outlets, locking tailgate, and fancy sound systems. Metallic paint and leather seats are optional.

Switching from two- to four-wheel drive is done at the touch of a button. And an off-road package features beefed-up suspension and tires, alloy wheels, mudguards, etc.

Oddly, if you order four-wheel anti-lock brakes, you automatically get daytime driving lamps, which were first introduced by GM and not a favorite with everyone. They are, however, said to improve daytime visibility.

Why no vans?

It also seems odd that Toyota chooses not to attack the contractor market with a full-size van, since it could base it on this new truck platform.

Detroit sources say there are no plans for a full-size van because Toyota’s U.S. manufacturing operations are capacity-constrained — in other words, they will sell all of the 100,000 pickup trucks the new plant will build in a year.

A planned expansion will add another 50,000 vehicles, but all of those will be a new sport utility vehicle.