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Filed under: Car Buying, Trucks/Pickups, Toyota

That’s 13 new versions of the Tundra for 2008. The new variations all come from the addition of what Toyota calls the Tundra Grade, which slots in above the plain Tundra, but “just below the SR5″ grade which is mere inches from the Limited Grade. Got all that? Good, now throw in two transmission options, three engine choices, regular cab, Double Cab or CrewMax, two bed lengths, two- or four-wheel-drive, and a partridge in a pear tree and you get a total of 44 different ways to order your truck.

The Tundra Grade lets customers get the popular CrewMax and Double Cab options without paying for extras on the Limited and SR5 levels and starts at $24,715 for a V6, Double Cab, 4×2, automatic, and goes up to $27,685 with the addition of a V8 and the CrewMax cab.

Tundra’s top-of -the-line Limited trim with the Double Cab, V8, automatic and 4×4 starts at $38,770 and goes up to $42,070 with the addition of CrewMax seating.

The photo above is a Tundra CrewMax with the V8. For more photos check out our gallery.

You can read Toyota’s full press release after the jump to see what other options are now standard on what levels. Toyota is definitely aiming straight for Chevy and Ford with these new variations, and are obviously intent on selling more than 200,000 Tundras in 2008.

[Source: Toyota]

Filed under: Concept Cars, SUVs, Trucks/Pickups, Japan, Tokyo Motor Show, Suzuki

When was the last time you used “Suzuki” and “awesome” in a sentence and weren’t talking about a motorcycle? Well, get ready to do it now. Behold the Suzuki X-HEAD, one of several new concept vehicles the automaker will be showing off at next month’s Tokyo Motor Show. Looking like it’s ready to punch a HUMMER in the mouth and audition for a part in Transformers 2, the mega-trick-looking X-HEAD (dig the “X” tread pattern on the rubber) is all about flexibility (we think). If we’re reading the Google-translated press release correctly, the “X” in its name signifies the unknown — as in unknown or unlimited number of uses. Figure it could be everything from a camper, to a pickup, to a rescue vehicle and beyond. This, from a company whose bread-and-butter is kei cars? A round of applause is in order for this Eastern take on our childhood Tonka fantasies. We’ll be sure to bring you more on this one from the show floor next month.

[Source: Suzuki]

Filed under: Aftermarket, Trucks/Pickups, Saleen

A while back we had a chance to sample Saleen’s take on the Sport Truck phenomenon, the Saleen S331 SC Sport Truck. After driving both the supercharged and normally aspirated versions, we predicted that the SC would sway the bulk of buyers. Turns out we were right, and for 2008, Saleen has dropped the NA version of the S331 all together. Interested Saleen truck buyers will still have some options, however, as the S331 lineup’s been expanded to include a new four-door SuperCrew version of the truck. The new S331 SuperCrew was just shown at a Texas State Fair preview. A fitting place to debut the new larger truck, with its full four doors. After all, everything is bigger in Texas, as they say.

There’s a full press release after the jump and a pair of larger pics in the gallery, but essentially the 2008 models are the same as the ’07s, with the exception of the exhaust system. While the side pipes are still available on the shorter SuperCab model, the standard exhaust for that truck and the new SuperCrew is a rear exit setup. Both models still feature the 450 HP, supercharged V8 and the bespoke Saleen RaceCraft suspension that make this one thoroughly enjoyable truck to drive. Considering the fact that you can still tow up to 9,500 lbs. (with a payload capacity of up to 1,890 lbs.), that starting price of $54,200 seems downright reasonable.

[Source: Saleen]

Filed under: Trucks/Pickups, Dodge, Misc. Auto Shows

2008 Resistol Edition Dodge Ram

General Motors unveiled its two-mode hybrid Chevy Tahoe and GMC Yukon. Ford unveiled a 60th Anniversary package for the F-150 and Super Duty, as well as the 2008 Harley Davidson editions. Finally, Dodge has taken the stage at the Texas State Fair, the new de facto venue for truck announcements, and unveiled the 2008 Dodge Ram Mega Cab Resistol Edition. For those like me who had never bothered to Google “resistol” before, it’s a hat, a cowboy hat to be precise. The company who makes them is Dodge’s newest co-branding partner, and the resultant love child is a giant truck with a cowboy hat theme. And yes, for your $48,310, Dodge will give you a Resistol Black Gold 20X felt cowboy hat with your truck, but you’ll have to buy your own chaps and spurs.

The truck itself is a Ram Mega Cab with dual rear wheels, and is available as a 4×2 or 4×4. 17-inch chrome wheels turned by the company’s 6.7L Cummins turbodiesel with a six-speed automatic are standard. What makes this a Resistol truck, however, is the two-tone color scheme of Dark Khaki Metallic and Light Khaki Metallic (who knew cowboys liked khakis so much?). The requisite spate of special badges adorns the exterior, along with a set of new stainless steel tubular running boards. Inside the cab awaits Yuma and Graystone leather seats embossed with the Resistol cowboy hat logo, as well as premium floor mats that have been branded with the company’s logo in stitch.
Dodge is only producing a limited run of the Resistol Edition Ram Mega Cab, but declined to reveal how limited, so if you’re a cowboy who needs a new horse, might want to mosey on over to your nearest Dodge dealership and make acquaintances with the purveyor.

[Source: Dodge]

Filed under: Car Buying, Trucks/Pickups, Marketing/Advertising, Chevrolet, GM, GMC

General Motors had a good August, bucking the industry trend with a year over year sales increase. A big part of that success came with zero-percent financing on the Silverado and GMC Sierra, and the General is looking to ride the wave by extending free loans through October first. GM isn’t stopping with pickups either. Several 2007 models are getting an additional $1,000 on the hood, including the Yukon, Impala, and G6.

GM has done a pretty good job of staying off incentives through 2007, but the last few months have been brutal. Even some automakers from across the Pacific, who traditionally shy away from cash on the hood, have felt the pinch. GM hasn’t announced additional production cuts, but if the incentives don’t work, the Detroit-based automaker may have little choice.

[Source: Detroit News]