The 4 cylinder?

So it's good news to hear the 4 cylinder will be getting a couple extra gears with a 6 speed auto. That should really make a difference in finding the power and economy sweet spot wherever you are speed wise. However I've read a few links that suggest that the 2.7 liter 4 cylinder in the 2016+ Tacoma will be a carry over engine meaning it would be the same 2.7 liter 2TR-FE with 159 HP/180 TQ as the current Tacoma. The thing is, according to this pressroom link from Toyota (the Horse's mouth), there isn't any reference to whether it is a carry over engine, or not, it just says it will be powered by a 3.5 liter v6 with some high end technologies (D4S, etc.) or a 2.7 liter 4 cylinder. No statements about it being carry over or not. http://toyotanews.pressroom.toyota.com/releases/2015+naias+2016+toyota+tacoma+dominates.htm

I find it hard to believe it would be a carry over engine- the present engine is 10 years old already! Also when you look at the technology that is jammed into the 3.5 liter V6 to make it more efficient (lower displacement than outgoing V6, Atkinson cycle, Direct Injection, etc.), I can only imagine that the new V6 will probably be more efficient, with way more power, than the current Tacoma's 4 cylinder making the idea of a carry over 4 cylinder kinda pointless and redundant - the 4 cylinder needs some technology (aka dual VVT-i at least), to up the HP a bit, flatten the torque curve even more,increase fuel efficiency, and at least make it a viable base engine choice for someone who doesn't tow a lot and need a ton of power but still wants something respectable that gets decent fuel economy! And maybe we can see this 4 cylinder behind a Double Cab 4x4 perhaps?

 

It is a carry over engine. Has been specifically stated in more than one interview that it is and that it will have identical power/torque ratings as in the past. Do some thread and YouTube searching and you can see the horses mouth moving and saying it.

 

I have a feeling that the new v6 will be so close to the 4cylinders mileage the 4cylinder won't be worth it anymore.

 

The 4's purpose is purely for reducing the cost of entry for fleets/base models. Despite the low power/torque, it will probably drive decent enough with the 6AT helping out.

 

Agreed. Toyota really wants to push people into the 6. Makes them more money.

 

A real turd of a motor. Toyota fans must be proud.

 

GM's 4 banger is around 200 hp with 6 speed auto....

 

And if Toyota can price their 4 below the GM, it will have served its purpose.

 

Every time I read a thread about the 2.7L I have to chuckle. The hate is palpable. I am coming to the conclusion that it might be generational. I now own my second Tacoma with the 2.7. My first was a 98 and that truck was fantastic. The engine was like new when I traded it in on my 2015. Don't get me wrong, if Toyota offered the 4.0 as a 1K option I likely would have bought it, but they don't.
I have never felt that the 4 cylinder was weak. I have now taken three road trips with it and have had plenty of power on the interstates, even on the grades. I have already towed my 6x10 cargo trailer over into the West Virginia mountains and the new 2.7L had no issues at all. Now I have the 5 speed in the new and old trucks and certainly wouldn't have considered the automatic. For full disclosure two of my past vehicles were a 54 Willys 3B and an 84 Suzuki SJ410 with the mighty 1L 4 cylinder so maybe my expectations on the power thing are different ;-). If you don't like, or want, a 2.7 don't buy one, but why the hate?

 

Drive up some passes in my 1992 4x4 2.4L 22RE (114hp) and the 2.7L will feel like a sports car. It is all relative. That said, I'm buying a V6 next.

 

I love my 4x4/AC/2.7/5spd ... for me the 4cyl/5spd is a solid and proven package. Does what I want including light towing duty. Serves my needs/desires very well. But then, I too am becoming a dinosaur more and more everyday.

Brother

 

the I4 works fine, it just doesn't have any giddyup when you need it

 

Let's face it, the 4cyl is dog slow. How so little HP and torque can come from such a relatively large displacement motor is beyond me, but the benefit to this engine is that it has possibly the lowest cost of ownership of virtually any mass produced auto engine in production.

As long as toy is keeping so much unchanged in G3, I guess it makes sense to keep it going another 10 years. The 6 speed slushie is a nice change, though in reality this is already out of date with so many manufacturers going with 8 speeds or more, or DCTs, CTVs, and so on.

To me, the 2.7 requires a manual gearbox anyway. Otherwise it would be about as much fun to drive as a wheelbarrow.

If you want old-school, simplicity and unmatched durability, this is your motor. Otherwise, there are a gazillion other option out there for you to choose from. All is good and right in the world..

 

Old-school simplicity and unmatched durability... I guess that sums up my early 60s take on life . After owning a 3RZ for 17 years without a single issue? I can live with that! Do you agree MQQSE? ;-)

 

The car in my sig. has a 2.0L gets 300HP and 340lb/ft of torque (with a tune). Still gets over 30MPG. Mileage and power. It can be done!

 

I love my 5 speed I4 Access Cab. Recently took a long road trip thru the Rocky Mountains pulling my camper and gear/bikes and averaged 21 mpg overall, including countless high-passes. That's only 1 mpg less than I average around town, always using regular grade fuel. I get at least 80 miles per full up more than I would with the V6, and that can really add up.

Power is fun, but burning extra fossil fuel needlessly is senseless to me. I'm all ears about the new V6, though.

 

True, but you're not factoring in the 1200lb weight difference between the taco and Solstice.

 

I think it's comical that people think the v6 is like worlds of difference in power and performance... it's a v6 powering a heavy vehicle with the aerodynamics of a shopping mall...

...it's a pickup truck, I4 or V6, regardless of trans. It's not a performance vehicle. Even if you put a V8 in it, towing/hauling is limited by chassis capability.

Dependability/mpg is all that matters for this, IMO.

 

There are tons of slower vehicles with bigger motors in my fucking way every day so the driver is what makes any vehicle dog slow. Interview some of the snails on the frwy and ask them how slow they think my sad little 2.7 is.................on a closed course it hits 100 with little effort rollin on 31.6s

 

But when they see you rollin', are they hatin'?