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| 2014 TOYOTA TUNDRA |
A First Glance at the 2014 Toyota Tundra
Now that the new year has arrived people are eagerly
awaiting the new lineup of 2014 vehicles. While they won't be released until
sometime in September, we have the details on the new 2014 Toyota Tundra, and
they show off some of the more impressive features that Toyota is making
available to customers this year.
The New Look
The most obvious change to the new Tundra is in the overall
appearance. Toyota took time redesigning the Tundra to improve the appearance,
while improving the space within the cab, and making controls easier for the
driver to reach. The chrome grill is now taller and more prominent, while the
rest of the front has sharper edges that make it look more modern. The front
bumper is split into three different pieces which creates a nice visual effect
while making it more cost effective to purchase replacement bumper pieces.
The designers worked hard to make the five different grade
levels of the Tundra stand out from one another. Not only is there going to be
additional features with the various grades, but they promise that you will be
able to tell the difference with the appearance of the vehicle. Not only will
the different grades look different on the outside, but they are supposed to be
very different within the cab as well.
Brand New Interior Features
The new interior features are what has many people talking
this year. For instance, every one of the five different models is now going to
come standard with a backup camera, a first for a truck, as well as Bluetooth
connectivity. The gauge cluster has received a face-lift that makes use of 3D
metallic rings around each of the various gauges. Within that cluster there is
also a 3.5 inch display that is used to show off a variety of information about
the truck as you are driving it.
Improved Handling Over Older Models
Many new features go into improving the overall handling of
the new Tundra. The valving in the shock absorbers of the vehicle has been
tuned to perform better over harsh landscapes so that the truck will be more
stable than ever before. The steering system has received some upgrades as well
which makes it easier to continue driving straight despite traveling over an
uneven road. These features are supposed to reduce the fatigue that drivers
experience when traveling on uneven roads. There has also been a set of
stabilizing fins attached to both the exterior mirror bases as well as the
outside of the rear tail lamps to improve stability even further.
A Quieter Ride
Although the 2013 Tundra is a relatively quiet vehicle to
drive, these optimizations have been improved further with more advanced
soundproofing technology. The cabin is even quieter in this model making it the
most relaxing to drive yet.
Staying with Proven Engines
Although Toyota has made a number of different changes with
their 2014 Tundra, they didn't touch the engine technology at all, and that may
not be a bad thing since the three engine options are very reliable. The least
powerful of the three is the 270 horsepower 4-liter V6 that features a dual
overhead cam arrangement. Next up in power is the 310 horsepower 4.6 liter V8
that is also set up in the dual overhead cam arrangement. This engine creates a
total of 327 lb.-ft. of torque which is a major jump up from the 278 lb.-ft. of
torque that the first engine creates. The most powerful option is the 5.7 liter
DOHC V8 with i-Force technology. This engine creates a total of 381 horsepower
and it generates over 401 lb.-ft. of torque.
It is important to note that these engine specifications are
simply preliminary specifications, and it is possible that they may change
between now, and when the trucks are officially released in September.
Most people will be happy with the approach that Toyota is
taking with their newest Tundra model. They are making changes to improve the
overall handling and appearance of the vehicle, while leaving alone the
features that are already working well for the truck. The all-new Tundra,
promises to provide an improved driving experience over the previous models,
and should have a pretty appealing face-lift as well.
