My Google news tickler spit this out today. I probably wouldn't have looked twice, except the blurb was:

"With performance buyers in mind, there's even a Sport Package available that Toyota claims will out-handle Nissan's 350Z sports car. ..."

When I pulled up the link, much to my surprise, Toyota is referring to the next-gen Tacoma PICKUP!!!

Give me a break....a PU that will outhandle the Z? Must be some serious jealousy going on at Toyota.


http://www.detnews.com/2004/insiders...der-257723.htm

 

unfu#$%@ing believable.

 

I'm going to sell my Z, and get that Tacoma.

 

I wouldn't jump for that Tacoma yet! LOL

Next thing you know Toyota will be saying the Prius can out run the Z!

A lot of car companys take a popular car from another one and say look how much room compare to this model, or how fast, better mpg type stuff.

 

God... EVERYONE is scared of the Z.

Subaru, Toyota... who's next?

 

toyota's claim for 60mph on the prius was overly ambitious. it's probably the same for the tacoma.

And also, dont worry, the truck will never match the Z as sports car. It won't look as sporty. It probably wont be as fast. Just like how the SRT4 can be as fast as the Z, but it still lacks in everything else (besides price).

 

 

it will, every magazine that has tested it has proven it outhandles most sports cars out right now, and its 300hp in a single cab tacoma, its gonna fly.

 

you are joking right?

There are TONS of trucks with 300+ hp, doesn't mean they have anything in terms of acceleration, with the exception of the SVT Lightning and Ram SRT-10.

And unless you show me a link showing me better track times, slalom, skidpad, 60-0 ft brake times, I'll NEVER believe it.

 

maybe the meant offroad...in the mud

 

Shame... the only good publicity comes from mentioning the name of a winner [the 350z) in their advertisement...

 

what about teh terminator 3 edition

 

IT has all wheel drive, i guess that means its better. hehe. THey can have the title its ok, becasue at the end of the day they have a light duty pickup truck for almost 30 grand.

 

Even if it outhandles a Z... who cares? Do they honestly think it will convert people who want sports cars to buy a truck? It is like Subaru's advertising it is faster than a Porsche. Certainly doesn't hurt Porsche sales.

Oh.... wait a minute. Why don't they call it the Tacoma Supra? Maybe then it will be thought of as a "true sports... errr... truck. "

Hey.... then they can give one to a drag racer so he can take it on the drifting circuit (Christian Rado). That will PROVE it is a "true sports... uh... truck."

<shakes head>

Bottom line: there is more to a car than its advertising. They are using extremes to try to change a perception (much like Cadillac's exterior styling). And they use an image of something they want to be. Now, people who might buy a light truck, yet still want something that is supposed to be fun to drive (still not sure how those two fit together) -- this will definitely catch their eye.

 

TRD Tacoma? LOL no thanks.

 

hardly... 7.5 seconds 0-60 tested by Edmunds. That's with a auto... but still... that's no where near Z territory. I love Tacomas (former owner) by the way.

Edmunds review

i miss it!

 

Being a huge Tacoma fan I admit I am biased.

Tacomas are awesome trucks, but I have yet to see any that can handle a Z.

The previous S-Runner, if given a S/C was pretty fast, but still no Z.

But my understanding is the new X-Runner was designed to compete directly with the Z. IMO thats should be quite flattering for the Z.

Now without F/I I doubt it will have the acceleration of the Z, and since they are so light in the rear I doubt they will have the same handlign characteristics, but you never know, Toyota is a very capable company, and if they set their mind to it, it could happen!

 

why would a tacoma owner want to out handle a Z?

 

Beats me hehe. I loved my truck, for carrying stuff, sand running, and some rock crawling. But, I don't think it was well suited as a race car. Mine was 4x4. Uncomfortable and horrible gas mileage, but a hell of a truck.