Rabu, 24 Februari 2010

plus 3, 2010 Toyota Tundra Bottom Line - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

plus 3, 2010 Toyota Tundra Bottom Line - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette


2010 Toyota Tundra Bottom Line - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Posted: 24 Feb 2010 12:00 PM PST

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To bring you a conclusive review that gives you an idea how the 2010 Toyota Tundra stacks up against other full-size pickups, TheCarConnection.com has perused a wide range of reviews for details, observations, and insights on what the Tundra does or doesn't do well. TheCarConnection.com's editors have driven the Toyota Tundra, too, and sum it all up along with their firsthand driving impressions here in this definitive Bottom Line.

Likes
Strong iForce V-8 and six-speed auto
More standard features than rival trucks
Wealth of storage spaces inside
Backseat space (CrewMax)

Dislikes
With the V-8, it's a guzzler—even for a big truck
Gimmicky instrument panel layout
Too large and not maneuverable enough
Rides too high for most

The Toyota Tundra was last redesigned in 2007, when Toyota asserted itself by supersizing this full-size pickup—making the Tundra every bit as massive as the largest versions of the Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado. It gets a very minor refresh for 2010, with a new grille design for some trims and a new taillight design for the entire lineup. Safety features are improved, new options are added, and others are grouped into a couple of large value packages.

"Imposing" is probably the best way to sum up the Tundra's appearance. From the front, the prominent, upright grille is flanked by nicely detailed headlamps, while alongside the Tundra gets bulging side sills that make it seem even taller, while it keeps a smooth appearance with flared wheel wells. And at the back, the taillights keep the same basic shape as before but gain a more detailed look. Inside, the 2010 Tundra has an interior that's a little too plasticky for some work-related tastes, with large swaths of matte-metallic plastic curving through the gauges and down the very wide center console at an angle.

The base engine on the 2010 Toyota Tundra is a 236-horsepower, 4.0-liter V-6; it provides plenty of might to move this big truck, but most buyers who plan to take advantage of its towing and hauling capability will want one of the V-8s. This year, a new 4.6-liter V-8 replaces last year's 4.7-liter; compared to the previous engine, it's both stronger and more fuel-efficient, with ratings of up to 15 mpg city, 20 highway and rear-wheel drive. At the top of the line is the 381-horsepower, 5.7-liter iForce V-8. This engine makes it an extreme gas guzzler—with fuel economy as low as 13 mpg city, 17 highway—but it has mammoth torque available just off idle and plenty of passing power on the highway, even when towing. Both V-8s now get a responsive, smooth six-speed automatic, while the V-6 comes with a five-speed auto. When properly equipped, the Tundra can tow up to 10,800 pounds.

Competing head-on with the biggest pickups from Detroit, as well as the more personal-use-focused Nissan Titan, the 2010 Tundra is available in a wide range of body configurations: Regular, Double Cab, and CrewMax cabs, with three different bed lengths. The Double Cab is the choice for occasional backseat duty or kid-carrying, and when the Double Cab isn't in use, it has a folding seat bottom. The CrewMax is basically a roomy SUV with a pickup bed in back; two full-size back doors and enough sprawl-out space for adults make it a good choice for families hauling ATVs or work supplies. The interior is at once comfortable and high-utility, with a very wide center console that's deep enough for a laptop; wide, supportive seats; controls that are designed to be used with gloves; and a tilt/telescope steering wheel. Our only repeated complaint with the interior is that its plastics—particularly those used on the instrument panel—feel flimsier and more delicate than those used by other truck brands.

The 2010 Toyota Tundra is one of the safest pickups on the market, with almost perfect crash-test scores and more safety equipment than most rival models. It gets predominantly top five-star ratings in federal tests (except for four stars for the driver with the Regular Cab), along with three or four stars in rollover resistance. It also earns the top "good" rating in all of the IIHS tests for frontal, side, and rear impact. Front-seat side airbags, roll-sensing side airbags, and front knee bags are all standard, as are electronic stability control and anti-lock brakes.

To help compete with base work-oriented models from GM, Ford, and Dodge, there's a new Work Truck Package offered on base regular and Double Cab models, coming with vinyl seats, rubber floors, plus a lower level of standard equipment and black plastic trim in place of bright trim in many places. A TRD Sport Package, available on the Tundra 4x2 Regular Cab and Double Cab standard bed models, is optimized for an aggressive street appearance, while a new TRD Rock Warrior Package is specially tuned and ready (in appearance as well) for hard-core off-roading. At the top of the line is a new Platinum Package, only offered with the 5.7-liter CrewMax versions, including all the features of a luxury SUV, such as a navigation system, JBL premium audio, ventilated perforated-leather seats, a sunroof, chrome and wood trim, and special badging.

The Bottom Line: The 2010 Toyota Tundra is every bit as big and tough as the full-size trucks—and perhaps safer and better equipped than them—though it might let you down on some of the interior's finer points.

Other Choices
If you like the 2010 Toyota Tundra, also consider:

- Chevrolet Silverado
- Dodge Ram
- Ford F-150
- Nissan Titan

Reason Why:
Whatever the purpose, there's a Tundra for it. But that's also the case for the full-size rivals from Chevrolet, GMC, Ford, and Dodge. What makes the Tundra genuinely different is its unique approach to interior design, as well as a smidge more standard-feature content than the others. The Nissan Titan stands out from the crowd as more oriented toward personal use, with some still-innovative cargo solutions and good performance—though its mileage is mediocre and it only offers a single large V-8. Both the best-selling Ford F-150 and Dodge Ram were redesigned for 2009; the F-150 gets a new interior and improved refinement, while the Ram has some segment-leading tech and entertainment features inside, along with vastly improved ride and handling. The Chevy Silverado and the nearly identical GMC Sierra continue to have strong appeal because of their very functional interiors (including separate interiors for work and personal trims), and their line of V-8 engines are especially fuel-efficient.

Buying Tip
The smaller 2010 Toyota Tacoma is worth a look if you like how large the Tundra or its predecessor, the T100, once were. The Tacoma has grown over the years as well, and it's now more of a mid-size truck.

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Army Orders Additional M-ATVs From Oshkosh - OfficialWire

Posted: 24 Feb 2010 09:15 AM PST

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The U.S. Army awarded Oshkosh Corp. a follow-on contract to deliver additional armor all-terrain vehicles to support ongoing military operations.

Wisconsin defense company Oshkosh, a prime contractor for the Defense Department's mine-resistant, ambush-protected, all-terrain vehicle program (M-ATV), received a new follow-on order from the Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command Life Cycle Management Command.

Under the $640 million deal, Oshkosh will deliver an additional 1,460 M-ATVs, along with providing in-theater support and spare parts, to the Army for use in Afghanistan and other deployments.

"Our armed forces have Oshkosh's full assurance that these highly mobile, life-protecting vehicles will continue to be a top priority because we understand the urgency of the situation," Robert Bohn, Oshkosh chairman and chief executive officer, said in a statement.


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State ranks low in finishing stimulus weatherization work - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Posted: 23 Feb 2010 04:33 PM PST

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Feb. 24, 2010 5:02 p.m. | Compensation for Curt Culver, the top executive of MGIC Investment Corp., dropped 39% last year as the company lost $1.3 billion amid the tenacious mortgage foreclosure crisis.

Culver, who has been chairman of the Milwaukee-based mortgage insurer since 2005 and chief executive since 2000, was paid a total of $2,279,259 in 2009, compared with $3,738,914 a year earlier, according to documents filed Wednesday with regulators.

Upon Culver's recommendation, no bonuses were paid to top officers at MGIC, the company's proxy statement says. No bonuses were paid to high-ranking executives in 2008, either, when the company lost $525.4 million.

The proxy statement says Culver also asked that his 2010 salary be frozen at its 2008 level.

In 2009, Culver received a salary of $898,269, stock awards worth $754,416, a $620,074 change in retirement compensation and "other compensation," which includes perks, of $6,500. »Read Full Article

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D.C. delegation comments on Obama’s health care plan - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Posted: 23 Feb 2010 04:26 PM PST

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Feb. 24, 2010 5:02 p.m. | Compensation for Curt Culver, the top executive of MGIC Investment Corp., dropped 39% last year as the company lost $1.3 billion amid the tenacious mortgage foreclosure crisis.

Culver, who has been chairman of the Milwaukee-based mortgage insurer since 2005 and chief executive since 2000, was paid a total of $2,279,259 in 2009, compared with $3,738,914 a year earlier, according to documents filed Wednesday with regulators.

Upon Culver's recommendation, no bonuses were paid to top officers at MGIC, the company's proxy statement says. No bonuses were paid to high-ranking executives in 2008, either, when the company lost $525.4 million.

The proxy statement says Culver also asked that his 2010 salary be frozen at its 2008 level.

In 2009, Culver received a salary of $898,269, stock awards worth $754,416, a $620,074 change in retirement compensation and "other compensation," which includes perks, of $6,500. »Read Full Article

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