As in previous years, the Motor Trend editors drove, inspected, poked, prodded, spanked, and debated over a diverse group for the the 2001 Of the Year competitions. With the dawn of the new millenium, we are offering deeper looks into how the important decision is made, with an exhaustive article on the testing to compliment the winners story, MT TV coverage, and extensive MT Radio interviews. Online, we've put together behind-the-scenes videos and photo galleries to show the team in action.
Below are a handful of images from our down-and-dirty Truck of the Year testing. For more behind the scenes coverage, visit the Car and SUV of the Year galleries.
The troops gathered at a lifeless Jurassic parking lot for a lunch before hitting the dirt.
Editor-in-Chief C. Van Tune offers a detailed description of the drive route that will ultimately end in one vehicle being named Truck of the Year.
Can't have a story without pictures, so David Newhardt fired off shots of each vehicle, as Exec Editor Chuck Schifsky touched up the detailing.
Looking like a rolling woodman's convention, we blazed through L.A.-area countryside, stopping every 30 minutes for notes and vehicle swaps.
Going off-road is the highlight of our drive, with ample opportunities to test clearance, traction, and power. Playing, uh, testing in the dirt was so much fun, we need to work that into our Car of the Year program...
King of the mountain Chris Walton awaits the director's cue to drive the Tacoma Double Cab down the slope and into video infamy.
History in the making, as the editorial staff weeds out contenders and reaches a final, unanimous decision on the pickup to bear the 2001 Truck of the Year honor.