The 2009 SEMA show started off with a lot of energy and optimism for the new year that is almost at our door. New ideas, renewed enthusiasm, and the penchant for going bigger while being eco-conscious all in the same breath. Below are a few photos that our friends from Microcarmag.com sent us. The full set can be found in the CarReview photo gallery.

More interesting tidbits and a lot more exciting stuff to follow in the next few days. Click on the thumbnail  below to view the fullsize image.

Ken Block Monster Subaru

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Toyota unveiled the 2010 Tundra pickup at the Chicago Auto Show this week, featuring an optional smaller, more fuel-efficient V-8 engine and other features, including an optional flex-fuel powertrain which will allow the vehicle to run on gasoline-ethanol blends.

Toyota is trying to make the Tundra a little greener and a little sleeker, in response to sluggish light truck sales. People who are hurting financially are more prone to buy a truck that gets better gas mileage, without sacrificing too much power. If they can feel good about the environment and still haul large loads, it’s the best of both worlds–and if embraced by consumers–the Tundra pickup and could help Toyota’s overall sales significantly during the second half of 2009.

The economy has been tough on the truck market, so manufacturers are trying to come up with new ways to attract buyers. Let’s see if they buy into the new, improved 2010 Tundra.

Read this article from MSNBC.com after the jump.

November 1, 2007 - 12:01 am ET

LAS VEGAS — Toyota’s heavy duty diesel truck rumblings are getting louder.

At the Specialty Equipment Market Association show here, Toyota Motor Corp. quietly parked in its display of wild tuner cars the Tundra Diesel Dually, a concept truck that could be the company’s template for its expected entry into the heavy-duty pickup market. Read the rest of this entry »

The Tundra is Toyota’s full-size pickup truck, which was completely redesigned for 2007 and is larger in every dimension than its predecessor. Available in Regular Cab, Double Cab and CrewMax styles, the Tundra also features three bed lengths, three engines, three wheelbases and a choice of 4×2 or 4×4 configurations. The Tundra CrewMax is the biggest truck in Toyota’s history, at more than 19 feet long. Below is one of CarReview’s early video reviews.

by Tony S.

Pros:

1. Benchmark motor.
2. Quite ride.
3. Towing and hauling capacities.
4. Great interior.

Cons:

1. Somewhat bumpy ride.
2. Tiny door rattle.

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By Becky B.

Thursday June 28, 2007

Location: Dublin, CA

Conditions: Clear and breezy

This vehicle is HUGE compared to what I drive, but I had a blast driving it anyway. The engine is massive, so I wanted to get it up to speed and see how it handled out on the open road. I was very pleasantly surprised. Even though the iForce 5.7L V8 engine eats little engines for snacks, it still gets decent gas mileage compared to other rides of its size. Acceleration is intuitive, as is deceleration…very nice transitions from fast to slow. (Vehicle specs page has the observed gas mileage for the Tundra test drive)

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By Kurt Gensheimer

Blings:

• V-8 power out the ying-yang with up to 20 MPG
• Interior nicer and more spacious than my office
• Terrific seats
• Slick features and accoutrements

Dings:

• What, no diesel option?
• Difficult to maneuver in tight places
• Major understeer

Ruling: Diesel or no, the Tundra is 100 percent American and 100 percent for real.

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