Volkswagen Taro
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Manufacturer | Toyota Hino |
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Production | 1989 - 1997 |
Assembly | Tahara, Aichi, Japan Hanover, Germany |
Related | Toyota Hilux |
Manual | Service Manual |
In January 1989,[1] Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles introduced a 1 tonne pickup, called Volkswagen Taro, to complement the half tonne Caddy pickup / panel van ranges, and the 1 tonne Transporter van and chassis cab ranges.
The Taro though was a project of badge engineering, the Taro was a rebadged Toyota Hilux fully engineered and designed by Toyota.
The two companies came together to solve each others problems:
- Volkswagen at the time did not have a one-tonne pickup truck.
- Toyota wanted European market share of European 1 tonne utility market.
So in the late 1980s, VW and Toyota signed an agreement that VW would manufacture the Toyota Hilux in the VW factory in Hanover, Germany, and it would be sold under the Volkswagen Taro moniker.
The first Taros manufactured in Hanover, Germany from 1989-1994 had a 2.4L diesel engine with 61 kW (83 PS; 82 hp) , torque was 165 N·m (122 lb·ft) at 2400 rpm, with loading space of 3.4 m2 (37 sq ft) and a 1125 kg (2480 lb) payload
In September 1994 at the IAA Nutfahrzeuge (Commercial Vehicle Fair) in Hanover, Germany,[2] Volkswagen released the Four-wheel drive version of the Taro which had an extended cabin.
The 4x4 Extended Cab Taro was manufactured in Toyota's Sahara plant in Japan, but now the Taro had an updated 2.4 litre diesel engine which produced 58 kW (78 hp) at 4000 rpm and torque of 163 N·m (120 lb·ft) with 2400 rpm.
The 4x4 Taro had a 2.9 m2 (31 sq ft) loading space and 815 kg (1797 lb) payload but could tow 750 kg (1653 lb) without brakes and 2100 kg (4630 lb) with brakes.
The joint venture ended in 1996, due to being under both car marques expectations.
Specifications[edit | edit source]
Engine: 2.4 Litre Diesel
Output: 61 kW (82 hp) - 58 kW (78 hp) @ 4000 rpm
Torque: 165 N·m (122 lb·ft) @ 2400 rpm - 163 N·m (120 lb·ft) @ 2400 rpm
Drive: 4x2 = RWD 4x4 = 4WD
LxWxH: (4x2) 4725x1650x1555 (4x4) 4905x1690x1740 mm
Loading Area: (4x2) 3.1m² (4x4) 2.9m²
Wheelbase: (4x2) 2850 mm (112.2 in) (4x4) 3095 mm (121.9 in)
Track width in front: (4x2) 1355 mm (53.3 in) (4x4) 1430 mm (56.3 in)
Track width in the back: (4x2) 1370 mm (53.9 in) (4x4) 1425 mm (56.1 in)
Turning circle: (4x2) 12.6 m (41 ft) (4x4) 14.0 m (46 ft)
Permissible Total Weight: (4x2) 2395 kg (5280 lb) (4x4) 2515 kg (5545 lb)
Payload: (4x2) 995 kg (2194 lb) (4x4) 815 kg (1797 lb)
Trailer weight braked: (4x2) 1800 kg (3968 lb) (4x4) 2100 kg (4630 lb)
Trailer weight without brakes: 750 kg (1653 lb)
Fuel Tank Capacity: (4x2) 56 L (14.8 US gal; 12.3 imp gal) (4x4) 65 L (17.2 US gal; 14.3 imp gal)
Maximum Speed km/h: (4x2) 145 km/h (90 mph) (4x4) 130 km/h (81 mph)
Acceleration: 0-80 km/h (50 mph): (4x2) 15.0 secs (4x4) 17.0 secs
Fuel Consumption: (4x2) Template:Convert/foutlreck (29 mpg-imp; 25 Template:Convert/fourmregb) (4x4) Template:Convert/foutlreck (27.7 mpg-imp; 23.1 Template:Convert/fourmregb)
Specifications Source[3]
Future Pick-Up[edit | edit source]
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles division is now developing the Volkswagen Robust pick-up, to be released in 2008/2009 it will rival the Nissan Navara and Toyota Hilux.
Expect the design to take cues from the recently released Volkswagen Crafter.
It will have a Single & Double Cab options as well as option of 2WD or 4WD & be squarely aimed at the European, South African, South American, and Asia Pacific markets.
References[edit | edit source]
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Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles timeline, European market – a marque of the Volkswagen Group
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Type | 1950s | 1960s | 1970s | 1980s | 1990s | 2000s | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | |
Car-derived Van | Caddy 14 | Caddy 9U / 9K | Caddy 2K | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Pickup truck | Taro | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Campervan | Westfalia California | California (T5) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Panel van derivatives | Transporter Type 2 - (T1) Splittie | Transporter Type 2 - (T2) Bay | Transporter/Caravelle Type 2 (T3/T25) | Transporter/Caravelle/Multivan (T4) | Transporter/Caravelle/Multivan (T5) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
LT (1st generation) | LT (2nd generation) | Crafter | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Concept and future models: Microbus Concept • Robust Pick Up | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Founder: German Auto Association • Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles corporate website • A marque of the Volkswagen Group |
- Volkswagen vehicles
- Pickup trucks
- Toyota vehicles