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Toyota Tundra TRD Yamaha Edition

Then there's Toyota's 800 pound gorilla of a pickup, the Tundra.

The Tundra was the sequel to the T100, Toyota's first attempt at tackling the full size truck market. It's bigger, better and brawnier than the T100, but apparently that wasn't enough because a new Tundra is coming for 2007 that's supposed to up the ante even more. So what we have with the 2006 Tundra is the last hurrah for a very nice truck that will probably be even nicer shortly.

My 4x4, SR-5, double cab Tundra wore the trim level of Toyota's TRD division, and was also billed as the Yamaha Edition. I have no idea what Yamaha Edition means other than a couple of decals on the outside of the bed down near the tailgate, but Toyota Racing Development, in theory, should indicate a high performance, sporty version of whatever model the moniker is affixed to.

But as with the Matrix TRD, which was mostly badging and other superficialities, the Tundra TRD is mostly Tundra (not that there's anything wrong with that), with some aggressive additions such as a mean looking grille and twin TRD labeled tail pipes. At least such was my tester; Toyota's U.S. website indicates the base cab TRD version (available as off-road or sport configurations) also gets a tuned suspension, upgraded shocks and nicer wheels.

The company's Canadian website says the $3610 TRD package gives you all its goodies for a thousand dollars less than if you ordered them separately, which I suppose is a nice thing, and they apparently throw in a TRD/Yamaha jacket to sweeten the deal.

My tester was a big black Double Cab, which offers four door access to the interior and, for a short person, makes one grateful for the "running boards" that are part of the TRD package: they let you get into the truck without having to attach a block and tackle to the roof.

Here's a list of what else the TRD/Yamaha treatment gets you:

• TRD Dual Exhaust System
• P265/65R17 Tires on 17" Aluminum Alloy Wheels
• Lock package
• Front Captain Seats
• Cushion Height Driver Seat Adjustments
• Driver's Seat Foldable Armrest
• Passenger's Seat Foldable Armrest
• Digital Compass
• Outside Temperature Gauge
• Colour Keyed Mirrors and Body Side Mouldings
• Front Skid Plate (okay, this is handy, but is it racy?)
• Side Step Bars (those handy "running boards")
• Fender Flares
• Special Edition Badging and Grille
• Metallic Accents
• Fog Lamps
• Seat Back Pockets
• Front Centre Console Box
• Monotone Exterior Paint

Now, those are nice things to have, and they do add to the truck's value and appeal, but how is this stuff "racing development?"

Not that the Tundra isn't a fine truck. My 4x4 tester included four full doors and plenty of interior room and storage space. And its iForce V8 is a dandy: it's a 4.7 liter, double overhead cam power plant with 32-valves, Toyota's VVT-I variable valve timing and sequential multiport electronic fuel injection. Horsepower and torque are rated at 271 @ 5400 rpm and 313 lb.ft. @ 3400 rpm respectively - plenty for anything I can think of doing in a truck, not that I'm a truck expert by any means.

The power is delivered smoothly and quietly, with no fuss, to a 5 speed super electronically controlled overdrive transmission and from there to either the rear or all four wheels. The Tundra features an automatically disconnecting differential and one touch 4WD accessed by a button on the dash board that, due to the truck's size, is a tad hard to reach for the relatively diminutive.

Suspension is independent double wishbone with gas shock absorbers, coil springs and a stabilizer bar up front, and heavy duty multi-leaf springs with bias mounted gas shock in the rear. Brakes are power assisted vented discs up front and drums out back, with ABS and Brake Assist. Steering is power assisted rack and pinion.

The Tundra obviously rides like a truck, and cuts a certain swath through traffic if you're used to smaller vehicles, but it's actually quite nice to drive, all things considered.

Inside is a cavernous office that could be a tad more refined in such ways as offering a more modern set of HVAC controls, steering wheel-mounted audio buttons and the like, but which is perfectly serviceable.

And it's comfortable; the front captain's chairs are more supportive than some so-called friends I've known; the rear bench folds down to facilitate hauling stuff.

The AM/FM CD audio system is lacking everything except bass and overall volume (including tactile feel for the knobs) though, to be fair, an upgraded JBL system is optional.

Creature comforts include power windows and door locks and keyless entry, a big central storage compartment between the front seats that includes a flip forward clipboard-like device that would be great for attaching papers and like stuff to (for those who like taking notes while driving).

We had the biggest snowfall of the year while I was driving the Tundra and the truck handled it beautifully. My neighborhood never gets any snow removal, so when approaching Chez Moi I'd flip the Tundra into four wheel drive and be able to carry on almost as if nothing were wrong with the roads. I imagine that, with the vehicle's height and off road accoutrements, it would do a great job out in the boonies as well.

So while I'm a tad ambivalent about the TRD stuff (and never did figure out what Yamaha Edition meant), I'm quite impressed overall by the Tundra as a large 4x4 pickup truck. It's big and powerful and comfortable and flexible, just like such a vehicle should be.

Makes me curious to see what the all-new one will be like later this year.

The Tundra TRD Yamaha Edition sells for approximately $34,000 U.S. or $44,000 Canadian

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