Toyota diesel

How come Jeep can put a 3.o liter turbo diesel in the Grand Cherokee and Liberty and we (Toyota owners) don't hve any diesel options in our midsize pickups? It is frustrating to droll over the Hilux's in Australia (and everywhere else in the world) and not be able to a damn thing about here in the US! Even Mahindra (Indian based auto/tractor maker) plans to release a small diesel pickup here in 2009. I emailed a Toyota Customer Service Center and asked about the possibilty of a midsized Toyota diesel and he said there is no plan for this platform in the immediate future(he did say they will have this option in a Tundra). Great, for us who are not trying to compensate for a lack of size in certain areas and would enjoy the power and mileage associated with a midsized diesel, we're screwed. I think there are a number of other Toyota owners out there who would LOVE a diesel in their Tacoma's getting around the 30 mpg range. Who here agrees and what (if anything) could be done to prompt Toyota to develop this for our market. i feel strongly the demnd would be incredible. Alright, done venting...

 

well with a diesel you can run biodiesel so i guess it could be practical.

 

What are the benefits of a diesel in a Tacoma?

We already get 200K miles and better on the motor. We have good acceleration and mpg. Can tow 5,500 lbs.

 

I would kill to have a diesel in my Taco. Just having the extra kick in the engine and the added horsepower would be awesome. If they did come out with one, I would probably immediately go out and trade mine in to get one.

 

Ahhh yes dreaming as well.

 

I think Diesels are truely more beneficial for much larger towing capacities and/or heavy duty towing applications. They get better gas mileage and they have more torque.

But in a truck with only 6500lbs towing.... the gas engine is just fine.

It's a dream for some I guess... that same dream of others who want a V8 in a tacoma. That'll never happen. If anything - buy a Tundra. If anything should get a diesel, it'll be the Tundra.

 

:sigh:

Unfortunately, Toyota will not bring the 2.5L or 3.0L D4D engines to the states because of the requirements for emissions. The damn treatments and NOx traps cost so much that Toyota doesn't think we will buy them. Plus with the price of diesel being higher (nevermind the fact that the fuel economy negates the extra cost and then some), they think no one will ever be interested in a diesel.

Toyota is even considering deep-six'n their Diesel Tundra program.

That is why I bought my 98' Jetta TDI back from my bestfriend.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/toyota-trucks-suvs/3963-diesel-petition-toyota.html

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/buy-sell-trade/2520-1985-diesel-toyota-xtracab-w-140-000-miles.html

 

Here is the response I got from Toyota @ toyota_cares@toyota.com:

The address has an underscore b/w toyota and cares.

Response (Duy Tran)04/04/2008 09:37 AMDear Mr. Benedict: Thank you for contacting Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
We apologize; we are not looking to introduce a 4-cylinder 3.0L diesel engine on a Tacoma platform at this time. Your comments regarding having a more efficient mid sized truck available in the U.S. have been documented. It is through communications such as yours that we become aware of our customers expectations and reactions. It also provides us with valuable insight when planning and developing future products and services to increase our customers' satisfaction.
Again, thank you for your interest! Your email has been documented at our National Headquarters under file #200803280572. If we can be of further assistance, please feel free to contact us. Duy Tran
Toyota Customer Experience


Don't get me wrong guys, I love my Tacoma (it's my 3rd one), but if you ever dig a little and look at the torque, fuel economy etc that the common rail diesels get, it's awesome. I tow a trailer every once in a while, but for long trips here in Texas (it's 220+ miles to my deer lease) my Taco couldn't compete with a diesel.

Anybody who is interested in one, email the address i posted up top. Good luck and let us know how they reply to you.

 

Mike, are you saying you wouldn't want improved fuel economy and more torque? I regularly get 18-19 mpg in my Tacoma and would love to push the 25-30 mpg mark.

 

I'm pretty happy with my 1GR-FE.

 

Diesel costs more than gas.... is there really any benefit to the extra 7-11mpg? What's the price per mile for diesel & gas?

What about upkeep & maintenance? Insurance?

 

Hey Buckfever, I clicked on the page and wrote them also, maybe if there is enough of us writing, a change will happen.

 

BuckFever, better mpg, sure! But for my daily driving use, very little towing and no more off-roading I don't need the torgue.

Now for those of you that could make use of it I fully support it.

 

I am sure not everyone has a need for the diesel in a Tacoma. But I think there are enough Taco owners who would love the option. The more people who email the customer care the better.

I know I would be one of the first in line.

 

I hear ya. I am not saying everyone needs/wants a diesel. But check out some quick math (got the specs from the Hilux pdf spec sheet at http://www.toyota.com.au/hilux/specifications).

Given gas is $3.56 gal and diesel is $4.20 gal (these are today's prices here in Austin, TX), filling up a 20 gal tank would cost $71.20 and $84.00, respectively.

At 18 mpg (what I avg per tank) and 28 mpg (what I converted from 1L/100km for the fuel economy of a double cab 4 x4 Hilux), I could drive 360 miles on gas and 560 miles on diesel. That would come out to $0.20 per mile/gas vs $0.15 per mile/diesel.

 

Yes I agree not everyone wants or needs a diesel, but I also stated in my e-mail that if it was a bio-diesel we as truck owners could at least participate in trying to be green as much as possible. I know it's not the cure, but it's a good start.

 

It's just frustrating that this country is trying so hard to develop new technologies is alternative fuels while at the same time not devoting much apparent attention to improving existing means. 50% of all passenger cars in Europe are diesel. The VW Blue Motion is supposed to get 75mpg on diesel! That blows away any hybrid out there. Yet all the automakers in the US are pushing hybrids to no end as a "fixall". We already have the infrastructure in place (gas stations with diesel, etc) to continue to develop diesel technology in this country. If we had the diesel option to begin with, then we would at least have the choice to add biodiesel mods to our vehicles.

 

Why would you further develope diesel technology?

We need to get away from petroleum based products.

And as for plant based oils/biodiesel - I don't think the world has enough land to grow enough to meet demand.

Its not all about mpg - let's not forget about the crack-down on emissions.

They (whoever 'they' are) shoudl've been concentrating on hybrids & alternate fuels a long time ago. Now that we NEED the technology to save our asses (and economy), we're not ready for it. You'll never see gas or diesel go below $3 ever again. And sooner or later...it'll get above $4 and stay there.

 

maybe we could start a petition??

 

better off farting under water...