The car Toyota Tundra can not be called the transport of the average European (or Russian). This is a traditional American with a huge engine capacity, endlessly devouring expensive fuel. How can one explain the secret of the popularity of this unusual pickup for European roads?
Why buy the Tundra, for example, the Russians? Who are they, domestic owners of Toyota Tundra? The characteristics of this pickup allow us to assume that some hunter or forester might be behind its wheel. However, neither the first nor the second will simply be able to buy such a car, even a used one: this miracle of the American automobile industry is so expensive, not to mention the fact that it "cannot be fed". Cars of the version of 2008 and older consume at least 20 liters of fuel in the city for every hundred runs (outside the city they can meet 15 liters). Younger cars are a bit more economical, but they are quite expensive in themselves, for example: Toyota Tundra 2012 will cost 2.5, or even 3 million rubles.
The tundra is likely to be bought by a resident of a large city, well-enough to afford such a voracious car. But driving in city traffic jams or narrow streets is simply unrealistic, because the Tundra has serious dimensions.
It turns out that the Tundra is rather the second (third, etc.) car of a wealthy Russian, on which he can go out of town, go fishing, hunt or just ride for his own pleasure on the highway. The tundra can be a good helper for an athlete who needs to carry bulky, but rather fragile equipment, such as a diver or surfer.
Despite its size and weight, the car behaves very playfully and accelerates well. At the same time, his cabin is American-style comfortable: comfortable seats, lots of options available even in the basic configuration. But the suspension is harsh, which is characteristic of all pickups, and this is especially felt with an empty trunk. Thus, the Toyota Tundra, the characteristics of which relate to both the executive car and the truck, is not acquired for practical reasons, but rather for the soul.
When the surrounding pedestrians and drivers of other cars freeze, looking at the beautiful and majestic Toyota Tundra, the characteristics of the car no longer matter. Anyone will want to become at least a passenger of this huge and beautiful truck. And if the driver presses the gas pedal harder, a growl of a 5-liter engine (minimum
engine capacity of 4 liters, maximum - 5.7) will make even representative cars give way to this American monster.
As for the fight against fuel consumption, with such engine volumes that the Tundra is equipped with, it is practically useless. However, high consumption is typical for most American cars, since fuel in the USA is much cheaper than in Russia or in Europe. A good way out of the situation with fuel could be a diesel engine, which the manufacturer planned to start installing on the Tundra back in 2008, but so far Toyota Tundra diesel has not seen the world. Although the manufacturer has a great opportunity to equip the Tundra with diesel from Land Cruiser, but such machines still do not exist.
It is possible that having received a diesel engine, the Tundra will lose its charisma, which probably confuses the manufacturer. Perhaps he has other motives, but the beautiful Toyota Tundra, the characteristics of which are admired and somewhat perplexing, still remains as huge and dynamic, predatory and beautiful, comfortable and voracious, causing pride among the owners and a certain envy among others.