2016 Tacoma nose seems too long (purely for styling?)

While casually looking at a 2016 Tacoma (4WD) I noticed there's a lot of empty space between the leading edge of the grille and the radiator, giving the truck an awkward, forward-heavy look. 8"-10" was my initial guess of the void between grille and radiator. You could fit a small dog in there. Many have called the grille itself ugly but I think excessive overhang is what really stands out.

The excessive overhang could effect angle of approach in some off-road situations and just makes the truck longer than it could be. Why make it more difficult to park in tight situations? Working on the engine from the front, you're forced to reach over that extra space.

Did the designers have a logical reason for that Jimmy Durante nose? I think the truck looks decent otherwise. If that snout is purely for styling they should cut it down in future models.

 

It's a pedestrian crumple zone.

Feds requiring them, Toyota is an early adopter.

 

Yep, it's been mentioned many times that new cars will need a specific pedestrian crumple zone. Toyota designed the truck this way to be ahead of the game since they know this body style will be around for 10+ years.

 

Huh.... looks great to me, I thought the pre 3rd Gen's looked like pugs with that short nose!

 

I understood it also has something to do with aerodynamics and to make the bumper less pronounced. The smoother the front the less drag you'll have.

 

Its leaving room for the diesel engine to fit in future model years...

 

It's a pedestrian crumple zone.

 

Cool. I read that the changes to the front, tail lights and adding the spoiler reduced the drag by 25 lbs, so can't it be both?

 

That's why you have to get the long bed to make it look more proportional.

 

It can be whatever you want, but it's a pedestrian crumple zone.

I'm sure they took the time to make it aerodynamic and fluid with the rest of the design, though the intent of the space and why it was created has nothing to do with decreasing drag or improved aerodynamics and everything to do with pedestrian crumple zones.

 

Now my question is, unless the front end is made out of foam or marshmallows, will it even make a difference if you hit somebody?
I wouldn't think so but there are smarter people than me out there.

 

Government engineers tested several theories and were able, in the end, to deduce that a pocket of air was softer than radiator and engine block when contacting a human body at a given vehicular speed, thus making such designs mandatory by a set date and auto manufacturers must accommodate their demand.

The whole point is to reduce the number of fatalities caused by pedestrian strikes under 15 MPH or something like that.

 

Reminds me of those rubber bumpers that ARB and the other bumper manufacturers add for pedestrian safety. Are a cushion of air or rubber buffer going to matter when there's 2 tons of steel a few inches behind it? Shrug.

 

Under 15 MPH, apparently so. Hoping I don't find out, ever.

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencet...red-cushions-promises-safest-eco-vehicle.html

"Every side of the car, except the roof and underbody, is fitted with the impact-absorbing pillows, particularly at the front and rear."

 

The long front end looks good in the DCLB config IMO. With the short bed it looks silly because it looks like 70% of the truck hangs over the front end.

 

+1

Let me get this straight, what you're saying is, basically, it's a pedestrian crumple zone. K ... I think I got it now.

 

James, You are the most patient man here on TW!!

 

After 10 years of studying at a cost of 100 million dollars.

I'm not sure he's saying that, think he might be saying if Jimmy Durante was crossing the road and got hit, this is where his nose would fit??????