Update:
Toyota sources are saying the Tundra Crew Cab will arrive in time for
the 2004 model year, not 2005 as originally reported. Apologies for any
confusion this may have caused. - Mike
Spied during
hot weather testing, this heavily camouflaged Toyota Tundra test 'mule'
provides a pretty clear shot of the upcoming crew cab model, a sorely
needed addition to the Tundra lineup.
There are
quite a few interesting items that show up in the picture, some possibly shared with the Toyota Sequoia SUV, including:
- New pull
door handles, replacing the current lift-up handles
- Revised front grille and lower bumper with improved breathability
- Rounded rear cab, similar to the Ford Explorer Sport Trac
- The truck appears slightly taller and wider than the current Tundra
We could
be wrong about the increased height and width. The driver appears to be
only about 5' 7" tall, skewing our perceptions.
You will
note the bed is quite a bit lower on the truck relative to the line of
the window sill. It's most likely not the production bed but instead has
been cobbled together either from an existing Toyota product or competitor
with similar dimensions to the crew cab. Note the rippled tape covering
the bed over the rear wheel.
The 'sail'
behind the crew cab appears to be deliberately deceptive and nothing like
it is expected for the production truck.
Toyota sources
indicate that the crew cab Tundra will debut as a 2004 model year truck.
This all but confirms this truck will be built on the existing Tundra
chassis. An all new Tundra replacement is still expected for the 2006
model year.
Reaching
even farther to speculate, this crew cab could possibly spawn a Lexus
variant to compete with the Cadillac EXT. There appear to be some similarities
to the new GX 470 SUV in the rear door lines.
