Future Taco engine question...

Not really sure the best place for this question, so I put it here.

Last I heard from a (recently) former employee of Toyota is that they were planning a model change in 2012. He also said he had heard they were changing the engine (something about the FJ engine).

My questions are: IF they do change the engine to the newly revised 4.0 found in the FJ (dual VVT-i I believe), what can we expect regarding differences in HP, torque and fuel economy in the Tacoma? In addition, what other thoughts do you have about that engine?

Thanks

 

Probably similar numbers to those of the new 4runner. ~270hp and ~280 ft.lbs.

This is complete guess though. None of us know for sure.

 

Im actually amazed they didnt introduce Dual VVT-i with the 09 or 2010 models...

 

Good point. i dont see any more design changes they could possibly do to the FJ Cruiser...aside from the blind spot those huge pillars make.

 

and making the back seat so a person over 3' 8" can sit in it...

 

They ought to be concentrating on producing a V6 truck that provides a significant advantage in fuel economy over a full-sized V8 truck. Some of the V8s have more or less caught up...just popping in the dual-VVTi engine is not going to address that issue.

 

The 2011 FJ with the dual VVT-i will have 259hp according to the latest Petersen's 4Wheel Z& Offroad issue. My guess is that it would be similar to that.

 

that was the point of the post - i'm wondering if people expect the new engine to make a noticeable difference in power/torque and how much difference there would be in mileage?

 

I didn't buy until last month specifically because I kept hoping that the stronger engine would make it's way to the Taco. Once I was reasonably sure it wouldn't show in 2011 waiting for 2012 was more than I wanted to do so I bit on the '10. Stock the truck is OK with the power it has, but add a camper shell, sound deaden the cab, etc. and it could really use the extra oomph.

While we're talking about putting FJ parts in the Taco, I'd love to see a Taco special edition with the interior materials (floors and seats especially) from the FJ.

 

that's exactly why i'm asking. i'm pretty sure i'm going to wait until the 2012 models come out to see what the new truck is going to be like. i know that toyota has recently stated they were going to slow down the development of the new models, hopefully that won't impact the new tacoma model. i'm probably going to get another used 1st gen tacoma to hold me over until i know more.