2011 deletes some manuals, adds automatics

Link to press release

http://www.autoblog.com/2010/06/22/...eletes-some-manuals-adds-more-autom/#comments

"Toyota has dropped the goods on next year's Tacoma, and it looks like the company will be giving the people what they want by offering more automatic transmissions as standard equipment. For 2011, the Japanese automaker is nixing three manual gearbox models and adding five new slusher versions of the pickup. Prices for the pickups will start at $16,365 for a bare bones, manual-transmission, two-wheel drive regular cab and top out at $27,525 for a V6-equipped four-wheel drive with an automatic gearbox and a double cab long-bed.

Buyers will continue to be able to opt between a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine with 159 horsepower or a more potent 4.0-liter V6 with 236 horsepower. Those power figures have stayed on from last year, so we're betting fuel economy from both will stay on par with 2010 models as well. That means that the base truck will hit close to 20 mpg city and 26 mpg highway while the topped out version will land closer to 16 mpg city and 20 mpg highway. "

 

Wait...what?? Price is going way down then, unless they are excluding the TRDs.

 

Whole PRESS RELEASE

 

I think 27 is on par with current pricing for a base model. They rarely advertise prices fully loaded.

 

Toyota Announces Prices for 2011 Tacoma Pickup Truck

TORRANCE, Calif., June 18 /PRNewswire/ -- Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), USA, Inc., announced manufacturer's suggested retail prices (MSRP) today for the 2011 Tacoma, the best-selling compact pickup truck in North America.

The base MSRP for the 2011 Tacoma will range from $16,365 for the Regular Cab 4x2 equipped with a 2.7-liter four-cylinder engine and five-speed manual transmission, to $27,525 for the Tacoma Double Cab 4x4 long bed with a 4.0-liter V6 and five-speed automatic.

All 2011 Tacomas will be assembled at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Baja California (TMMBC) in Baja California, Mexico and Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Texas (TMMTX) in San Antonio, Texas.

For 2011 Toyota has discontinued three low volume manual transmission models and added five four-cylinder, four-speed automatic models. The new models include: Access Cab 4x2 PreRunner; Double Cab 4x2; Double Cab 4x2 PreRunner; Regular Cab 4x4, and Access Cab 4x4.

Added features include a newly designed grille on all Base, SR5, TRD Off-Road, TRD Sport and X-Runner models. All Regular Cab models will now include air conditioning as standard equipment and 15-inch styled steel wheels will be standard on 4x2 Regular Cab models. Models with the available six-disc CD changer now come with integrated satellite radio (subscription required). A new Convenience Extra Value Package for Double Cab models adds cruise control, a sliding rear window with privacy glass, remote keyless entry and steering wheel audio controls. One existing color, Black Sand Pearl will be changed to Black.

The 2011 Tacoma line offers two engines: a 2.7-liter DOHC four-cylinder that produces 159 horsepower with 180 lb-ft. of torque and a 4.0-liter DOHC V6 that produces 236 horsepower with 266 lb-ft. of torque. In both engines, variable valve timing with intelligence (VVT-i) provides strong low-end and mid-range torque.

An Electronic Throttle Control System with intelligence (ETCS-i) helps optimize performance and fuel economy. The V6 engine can be teamed with either a six-speed manual or a five-speed automatic transmission. Four-cylinder models offer a choice between a five-speed manual and a four-speed automatic transmission. When equipped with a V6 Tow Package Access Cab models have a maximum tow capacity of 6,500 pounds.

Standard on all Tacoma models is the Toyota Star Safety System(TM), which includes the anti-lock braking system (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Traction Control (TRAC). An Automatic Limited-slip Differential (Auto-LSD), which uses brake intervention to help reduce tire slippage at the rear wheels, is standard on all Tacoma models.

 

okay...pics of the "new grill??

 

x2 want too see that. see if it's actually different or if the decided to paint it a different color.

 

Just a comment I found online:

 

The demand for manual transmissions is waning. Toyota's product offering reflects what the populace want most. Automatics.

 

I drove manual transmissions for years and loved them. If I lived in a rural area or small town I would still have a manual, but the when you spend an hour or more each morning and evening to go 25 miles in traffic you begin to see the beauty of the automatic! As Crom said, Toyota is building what the people want. Since about 80% of Americans live in urban areas, automatics are what they want.

 

Less Manual Transmissions?
BOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!
It was hard enough finding what I wanted in the first place. Next time it'll be even harder!

 

I don't know why you are so bitter toward people wanting automatics. It has nothing to do with people being lazy, it's a matter of choice and being comfortable. Some people aren't comfortable with two young children in the car while having to pay attention to traffic and shifting. Your general statement toward auto vs manual is ignorant and blinded by your own opinion/feelings.

You drive your manual and I'll drive my automatic, neither have any bearing on each other.

 

post of the day

 

My color is now a relic

 

it the sliding rear glass is electric I am going to be very upset

 

So basically people should be able to do other things while driving instead of paying attention to driving and an automatic allows them to do that? Or should they just be more comfortable doing other things while driving?

 

From the sounds of this, I am glad I waited and I think the 2011 will be perfect for me!

 

so there will be a double cab 4x2 5 lugger and a double cab prerunner with a 4cyl automatic?

 

I drove stick for years, still have a 69 GMC 3/4 Ton manual truck but for long drives and stop and go traffic I like my automatic. If I did a lot of offroading and that sort of thing I'd buy a stick. I'll bet my "handicapped" ass could outdrive you any day son. Age and treachery will win every time. Just because I don't drive stick doesn't mean I can't. Simply a choice.

 

About as dumb as some asshole buying a truck with a 4 cyl. In it. I figured only a woman would want that.