Volkswagen Taro

Infobox Automobile


name = Volkswagen Taro
manufacturer = Toyota
Hino
assembly= Tahara, Aichi, Japan
Hanover, Germany
production = 1989 - 1997
related= Toyota Hilux

In January 1989, [Volkswagen Taro Press Releases dated January 1989 and September 1994.] 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 convert|61|kW|PS hp|0|abbr=on , torque was Auto Nm|165|0 at 2400 rpm, with loading space of convert|3.4|m2|abbr=on and a Auto kg|1125|0 payload

In September 1994 at the IAA Nutfahrzeuge (Commercial Vehicle Fair) in Hanover, Germany, [Volkswagen Taro Press Release dated January 1989 and September 1994.] 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 Convert|58|kW|hp|0|abbr=on at 4000 rpm and torque of Auto Nm|163|0 with 2400 rpm.

The 4x4 Taro had a convert|2.9|m2|abbr=on loading space and Auto kg|815|0 payload but could tow Auto kg|750|0 without brakes and Auto kg|2100|0 with brakes.

The joint venture ended in 1996, due to being under both car marques expectations.

pecifications

Engine: 2.4 Litre Diesel

Output: Convert|61|kW|hp|0|abbr=on - Convert|58|kW|hp|0|abbr=on @ 4000 rpm

Torque: Auto Nm|165|0 @ 2400 rpm - Auto Nm|163|0 @ 2400 rpm

Drive: 4x2 = RWD 4x4 = 4WD

LxWxH: (4x2) 4725x1650x1555 (4x4) 4905x1690x1740 mm

Loading Area: (4x2) 3.1m² (4x4) 2.9m²

Wheelbase: (4x2) Auto mm|2850|1 (4x4) Auto mm|3095|1

Track width in front: (4x2) Auto mm|1355|1 (4x4) Auto mm|1430|1

Track width in the back: (4x2) Auto mm|1370|1 (4x4) Auto mm|1425|1

Turning circle: (4x2) convert|12.6|m|ft|abbr=on (4x4) convert|14.0|m|ft|abbr=on

Permissible Total Weight: (4x2) Auto kg|2395|0 (4x4) Auto kg|2515|0

Payload: (4x2) Auto kg|995|0 (4x4) Auto kg|815|0

Trailer weight braked: (4x2) Auto kg|1800|0 (4x4) Auto kg|2100|0

Trailer weight without brakes: Auto kg|750|0

Fuel Tank Capacity: (4x2) Convert|56|L|usgal impgal|1|abbr=on (4x4) Convert|65|L|usgal impgal|1|abbr=on

Maximum Speed km/h: (4x2) Auto km/h|145|0 (4x4) Auto km/h|130|0

Acceleration: 0-convert|80|km/h|mi/h|abbr=on: (4x2) 15.0 secs (4x4) 17.0 secs

Fuel Consumption: (4x2) L100km|9.6 (4x4) L100km|10.2

Specifications Source [Volkswagen Taro Press Releases dated January 1989 and September 1994.]

Future Pick-Up

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