Test rode a '16 TRD Sport tonight... loved it... but...

No...

 

Remember this engine runs the Atkinson cycle at low load; it's more efficient for it to be running the Atkinson cycle at a high RPM/low throttle setting than the Otto cycle at a low RPM/WOT (with both scenarios producing the same shaft power). The transmission is clearly tuned to take advantage of this fact. Drive any of the SkyActiv Mazdas and you'll notice the same thing.

This whole "car engine in a truck" argument is a straw man anyway. Fullsize/HD pickups have "truck" engines because (some) people use them to tow/haul very heavy stuff, so low-end torque is everything. Midsize trucks are basically utility vehicles that can tow/haul heavy-ish stuff, but those aren't primary considerations for the power plant. Toyota knows that Tacoma buyers want reliability, comfort, efficiency, and responsiveness from the engine more than they want to be able to tow a 25' travel trailer up a mountain. If you want to do that, get a Ram 2500 Cummins or similar.

 

Well, this has certainly been entertaining! Think I'll go to lunch...and I'll be sure not to use engine braking to save wear and tear.

 

It's not "bad" its just not appropriate. It doesn't harm anything afaik but it gives the driver less control of the vehicle. For one you can't accelerate and two cars generally don't handle as well in neutral (at the limit of traction). I feel like a sitting duck in neutral while moving.

 

Let me start by saying I'm not an expert by any means! I had a 6cyl Chevy S10 4x4 back in the 80's. When you pressed the gas, the thing would just roar but not go very fast. And I always assumed it was due to the gearing. Geared low (torque) so that there was power available from a stop if you were towing something or had a big load in the bed.

Tacomas feel very similar to me (in relation to a Nissan Maxima, for example). For the sake of this example, assume they have the same/similar engine. Press the gas in the maxima in normal driving, it'll go 0-60 pretty quick and not make a lot of noise. You can make the Tacoma go 0-60 in the same amount of time, but it will be a lot louder (due to gearing, I think- lots of potential energy built up/in store). Now say you take both vehicles at that same rate of speed/acceleration and put 500lbs in the maxima trunk and Toyota bed. The Tacoma is gonna sound pretty much the same- and have no problem. The maxima is either gonna lag or get much louder to accomplish the same thing as the Tacoma (remaining in lower gears longer). And this is due to gearing (as I understand it). Similar to using one pulley vs six pulleys to lift a bucket of water. The same person can lift both, but it will be a lot easier with 6 pulleys (~different gearing).

If you were to get into a Mini Cooper and hit the gas, it's gonna feel really peppy and quick. Get into a Tacoma and hit the gas and it's gonna feel sluggish and slow, although you know very well there's a whole lot more power in reserve in the Tacoma. Does that make any sense? Over-simplified. But I guess that's what I mean by saying "it feels like a truck".

The purpose of the gearing is for different expected/intended uses.

 

Not fast enough for how fast the transmission is turning. The pump needs to be turning at a certain rate in order to keep everything lubricated and pressurized.

 

Yeah, sort of...don't confuse low gearing (high numerical) with torque. Historically, truck engines have made their power at a much lower rpm level than a comparable car engine. That means that they don't have to be geared as low, because the greater torque could easily pull the higher (low numerical) gearing.

The other thing to consider is the power to weight ratio. Whereas a Mini has 120 hp (give or take) they only weigh 3000 or so pounds, if that much. Those small engines don't have a lot of torque, so they rely upon really low gearing (particularly in 1st and 2nd) to get up to speed quickly. My 2007 Honda Fit weighed less than 3000 lbs and had only 109 hp, whereas my 2013 Tacoma AC 2.7 weighs 4200 lbs or so, and has 159 hp. The Honda has to pull around 27.5 lbs. for each of its horses, while my Tacoma only has to pull around 26.4 or so for each up. Pretty darn close.

The fact is the newer and smaller engines are pulling around heavier and heavier cars and trucks. To do so requires more revs and more gears. I'm older than dirt, so I remember when Mack semis had only 4 forward speeds, but they were the norm. I remember late 60s muscle cars that would loaf along at 70 mph at 16-1700 rpm. Passing another car didn't require a downshift. Torque is the common ground. Not always the case, but smaller engines usually mean less torque.

 

I'd rather have nothing then that flat tinny pile of shit JBL system. My walmart ear buds sound better than the JBL.

 

I just got to play with this little girl an hour ago...

 

Ooo, my favorite color so far.

 

Go on...

 

Not allowed to drive it. She was sold before she left San Antonio.

There is about one extra inch more room in the back seat...because there's about 1 inch less room in the front.

Love the glove box, especially how solid the lock is.

Feels all the way around more solid and better constructed than the Canyons I was testing.

More pics here.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2016-tacos-are-arriving-at-the-dealership.390503/page-7

 

Mine was free also and I offered to pay them to take it out of the truck. They wouldn't. I had it for less than 2 weeks and that's just because I had to wait for parts to show up. Anyone who actually forked out the cash for one got screwed IMO.

 

Right on! Can't wait for my first peek. Autonation keeps telling me they won't have any until late October.

 

She's still there if you want to see her - parked on the right side. Unlocked at the moment.

 

And we certainly don't need someone with ZERO real world knowledge of even the 2nd Gen Tacoma complaining about the 3rd Gen Tacoma.

You're kicked off the Island.
The tribe has spoken.

 

Holy shit fuck. Guess I found my next truck! Looks sweet in the MGM..... The black over fenders blend in just enough.

 

It has the same frame? Do tell. That's not what Chief Engineer Mike Sweers says.

A: What is carried over from the previous Tacoma in this new truck?
S: Not much. Maybe a seatbelt bracket! The base frame has been modified. The base frame rail design is similar but it’s not carryover.

So apparently you feel like Toyota is in a big hurry to replace a bunch of frames again in a few years?

Read more: http://www.automobilemag.com/auto_s...oma-chief-engineer-mike-sweers/#ixzz3lT16RAF2
Follow us: @AutomobileMag on Twitter | AutomobileMag on Facebook

 

I'm going to ignore how perverted that sounds and ask if you got any other pictures than that??

 

What I posted is what I took. I couldn't stick around because I had to get back to work. There are more in another of these 3rd gen threads , about 10 total I believe.