Chicago Auto Show 2000 Page 1

The full-size Tundra has been the top-of-mind Toyota truck over the past year, but at the Chicago show the Tacoma took center stage. The all-new Tacoma Double Cab joins the Nissan Frontier Crew Cab, the Dodge Dakota Quad Cab, and the new- this-fall Chevy S10/GMC Sonoma Crew Cabs in offering four full-size doors and a shortened cargo bed. On sale in October, the Tacoma Double Cab will be offered in SR5 and Limited trim, in both the two-wheel-drive PreRunner series with a 150-bhp, 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine or optional 190-bhp, 3.4-liter V-6, plus four-wheel-drive models, which will be powered exclusively by the V-6. The Tacoma Double Cab offers eleven inches of ground clearance, a 61-inch cargo bed, and up to 5000 pounds of towing capacity.

In other Tacoma news, Toyota displayed its new, low-priced Tacoma StepSide model, which has been on sale since the beginning of the year in both regular cab and Xtracab configuration, with either the four-cylinder or V-6, but only with rear-wheel drive. The "StepSide" styling features flared wheel arches with "steps" on both ends of the arch, plus the beefier front fenders, bumper, and grille from the 4x4 Tacoma. The StepSide was developed with assistance from Rod Millen Motorsports. The cargo box is made of solid steel. StepSide styling costs only an additional $310; you can get a 4x2, regular-cab StepSide, with A/C and a radio, for as little as $13,600.

Toyota also displayed a supercharged Tacoma at Chicago, as a reminder that owners of Tacomas, 4Runners, and Tundras can order a supercharger kit from their dealers that was developed by Toyota Racing Development. Priced at $3136 for the Tacoma, the Eaton supercharger increases the 3.4-liter V-6 horsepower from 190 to 260 bhp. "The supercharger has been very popular on the Tacoma PreRunner," says Dave Wilson, VP of sales for TRD, "and in markets like Denver that have high altitudes."

MAZDA
2000 Mazda Miata Special Edition
Eleven years ago, Mazda introduced the Miata to a very receptive press at the Chicago auto show. This year, the company unveiled the 2000 Miata Special Edition in the Windy City. Only 3000 of the Special Edition will be offered, beginning on or about the first day of spring. Since previous limited-production Miatas have sold out in a matter of weeks, we'd suggest that you contact your friendly neighborhood Mazda dealer NOW if you're at all interested in one of these cars. Compared with the base Miata, the Miata Special Edition boasts both dynamic and aesthetic extras, including a six-speed, close-ratio manual transmission; a Torsen limited-slip rear differential; mahogany mica paint; parchment leather seats; a Nardi wood-rimmed steering wheel, shift knob, and handbrake lever; white-on-black gauges faces; and special fifteen-inch alloy wheels. A hard top will be optional. Pricing was not announced, but we'd guess about $27,000 or $28,000.