Will Toyota ever build a bigger torque engine?

Aside from the rear leaf springs being garbage and making it squat horribly, I had pretty much an identical experience.

 

It's a 1st gen and weighs nothing.

 

I'll take your word for it on the 1rst/2nd gen curb weights. 3rd gen examples are-

'19 SR 4x4 access cab 6' box 4 cylinder automatic 4220#

'19 TRD OR 4x4 dbl cab short box 6 cylinder automatic 4425#

Curb weights are directly from Toyota website.

 

According to an online calculator, .74 seconds off 0-60. Didn't bother to figure the 1/4 mile time.

 

The general rule of thumb is .10 per 10 lbs lost. of course theres a metric shit ton of other variables to be considered in the real world.

 

I agree with you, but the range thing is a big hurdle for EVs and it's not just the range, but the ease of fueling.

Hydrocarbons have fantastic chemical energy density, when you actually think about it the fact that less than 5 minutes pumping and 120lbs of liquid is all it takes to get a 2+ton hunk of steel plastic and rubber to move 300+ miles is pretty incredible.

Once range of EVs meet or exceed ICE and can be recharged under 15 minutes, it's game over for gas.

 

Lightly modded Tesla 3's have already been disqualified from a 1st place Global time attack result, protest reason: "not using an approved fuel"

 

I think the ultimate model will be akin to cordless tools. The automakers will agree on a standard battery pack form factor and chemistry, available in maybe two or three sizes that is interchangeable (not fixed to the vehicle). Keep in mind automakers have, in the past, agreed on a great many things, including fueling provisions, tire sizing, control lay-out, and even OBD11 codes etc.

You will arrive at the “battery station” and a pre-charged battery, you do not own, will be slid into your car while the spent one is removed, just like a cordless drill. You will pay for the energy used from the pack. The charging will be done at a central location, or the station, to maximize electrical efficiency, and the gas companies (or equivalent) will own the battery and be responsible for its maintenace and charging.

A large truck might take three batteries and a compact car only one, or there might be more than one size on hand.

Give it enough time and I think this is where we will end up. No waiting for batteries to charge.

 

That would be great for traveling, but I like driving by all of the gas stations and pulling into my garage and plugging in the car. Get up in the morning and it has a full tank. I love the Tacoma size (I don't want a full size), and look forward to an EV pickup. For now though, gas is the way to go for interstate trips, particularly when your destination is not close to any high-speed charging (like my in-laws).

 

So if Toyota decided to make a 2.5 ish 4 cylinder turbo that pushed 300hp and about maybe a little more torque I am sure nobody would buy it,...yeah right like no one is buying the 2.7 chevy

 

And when your EV Tacoma isn't carrying a load you can run two extra battery packs in the bed for extended range.

 

I think a lot of it has to do with where you live too, would imagine it would be much more practical in dense urban areas.

 

It's not practical for half the country. Why? Snow, ice and mountains. I would buy a hybrid truck if Toyota made it tho.

 

Submarines (wet AF) are electric as are satellites (cold AF). What exactly is the problem with snow, ice, mountains, and electric vehicles?

 

Yep, and they still don't have a chance in hell for the World Endurance racing because they'd last all of one hour before needing a 30 minute nap...it's nice that they can go fast for a short time, but it's still not the same as a built-up Porsche or Corvette crushing lap after lap for 6 hours straight.

Yes, EV's have tremendous amounts of torque literally at the snap of a finger; that torque delivery far surpasses anything we can get out of an internal combustion engine. But the thing a lot of people don't realize is that if you actually plan on using all of that torque, you'll see the battery drain at an exponential rate. The range on Tesla sedans is decent enough for local commuting purposes, but those vehicles generally aren't seeing the same kind of workload as those seen by pickup trucks or semi's pulling trailers. Gasoline engines, and diesels to some degree, see their efficiency decrease drastically as workload goes up. But unlike EV's, those powerplants have a quick and commonly available refueling option.

 

The EVs will get there, it's just a matter of time

 

But that time factor is no small matter. The hype machine which surrounds EV's would have you believe we are on the verge of a breakthrough in that technology, one that will revolutionize the auto industry. If you actually read into what the OEM's are saying and how they are spending their money, it's quite obvious they don't have that same sentiment (except for Tesla).

R&D for EV's has picked up in recent years....but so too as R&D for diesel, gasoline, hybrid, hydrogen fuel cell, ect. I'm not sure if most people realize how much the ICE has advanced in just the last 10 years.

 

As Ford Ranger owners are finding out, there is very little mpg to be gained with small displacement turbo gassers in big, bulky 4x4's...those engines are constant under load which pretty much negates the mpg advantage normally associated with turbo's. I'd see Toyota bringing in a hybrid (torque-boost) option or a diesel before they start to put turbo gassers into their trucks.

Well submarines run off either nuclear power or diesel/electric power. Satellites do run off of battery power in very cold temperatures, but I'd imagine that those designs incorporate very big battery sources and have a low draw.

I don't know how the latter example directly compares to EV's, but I do know that EV's have been known to experience range degradation in very cold weather...this has been documented by several different media groups.

I'd gladly buy a Toyota EV sedan to serve as a local commuter, assuming the cost is reasonable. I'd be hesitant to buy any brand of EV as a long-range, 4x4, offroad exploration vehicle..quite honestly, I think Toyota is many years away from offering one.

 

Time and effort. Both are range killers.
Slow speeds on slick roads and going up hills require more energy, which means less range.
There is an ideal speed for maximum efficiency and level ground is better than hills. The slower you go does not increase efficiency lol.
What you can gain is cold air (helps) and regenerative braking (helps) but combined will not replace the full efficiency loss.

You picked the two worst examples lol. Subs best fuel is nuclear, batteries are for noise. Satellites use batteries because they have unlimited solar charging.

 

I understand those things fully, perhaps more than you, but I don’t see how a wet cold mountain is worse than a dry hot mountain, when it’s arguably better. I wasn’t talking about batteries, just environmental conditions.

Anyways.....I will tell you this....the public wants electric cars, even if they don’t make any sense. The demand for change is just starting to ramp up. Consulting engineers, and people like myself, who support them with data analysis, are being run off our feet trying to keep up with new requests for charging infrastructure. This surge only started in the last year or so. Motor sports are all falling to electric, or will in the next couple years (unless banned by pin-headed gassers), and it is only a matter of time before an electric pickup kicks Toyota’s ass (if they are slow to change), just as a Tesla grocery-getter beats a Lambo any day.

Do you not think the Sheiks in Saudi Arabia are on the phone to Lamborghini......saying “what the fuck man......I want a winning car....even if it means the end of my oil dynasty.....get me a fucking electric Lambo NOW....I must beat that soccer mom in that Tesla SUV!!!”

Pikes Peak has fallen to electric. The energy expended in that ascent is enormous. If translated into daily driving, I’m sure you’d get more than a few days out of it, and several hundred miles.

Volvo is going 100% electric because they want to stay in business, and they see being first as an opportunity.

No matter what you think, the age of internal combustion is closing, and fine. Why cling to dumb old inefficient idea? The noise? The smell? The particulates? Man sauce?

I dunno man. Let’s check back with each other in 15 years. Love you bro.