2012 TACOMA MEGA-THREAD

I think runflat tires would be good so they don't pop when you run hondas over.

 

I stand corrected.Three engine options available for 2015.In fact,after owning a Prius I would be very intrested in a hybrid Tacoma.I did not have a very positive atitude toward a hybrid until my wife got one.That 57 mpg is nice.A hybrid Tacoma should get at least 30 to 35 mpg I would think.How else are we going to meet the new cafe standards? 28 mpg average on all light trucks by 2016? Maybe those standards will be relaxed some depending on the outcome of the 2012 elections but probally not.

 

In the end, the Toyota engineers are going to do what they need to do to meet budget/timeframe requirements.

Complaining on a Facebook page is not going to cause a change - these things are more than likely already in production.

Leave vehicle design and building to the experts, and leave the modifying them to us.

Fink

 

Ok so Toyota just launched the 2012 Camry that was being touted as “all new” except the V6, I4 and their respective transmissions remain exactly the same. They did change the 2.4L I4 in the hybrids to use the 2.5L that is already used in the “standard” Camry, so nothing truly new here.

Toyota announced an “all new” Yaris for 2012 and it too still uses the exact same I4 1.5L and is still mated to the same old school 4sp auto. Toyota claims more cogs in a car with such a small engine would result in too much gear hunting. Sounds like a really poor EXCUSE to me! If they can mount twice as many gears to a V8 (Lexus) they should certainly be able to figure out how to make 6 speeds work with this size of engine. Other manufactures have! Or mate the 1.5L I4 to a CVT and increase fuel economy even more, I mean this is an entry level car that most people buy because it’s low cost AND it should offer great fuel economy.

There will be a new hybrid available yet this year the Prius V which will use the same drivetrain as the Prius. The Prius V is just more like a station wagon than the Prius.

So my question is….WHAT THE HELL HAS TOYOTA BEEN DOING? All these “new” vehicles they are touting and none of them have any power train updates/upgrades. All a lot of us are asking for is for the already designed dual VVT-I 4.0L in the Tacoma and it doesn’t look like we’ll be getting it! UNREAL!!!

My frustration continues.

 

You guys need to quit complaining!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'd rather have the existing 4.0L that has been properly validated, revised and refined over the 7 years it has been in the Tacoma.

More goes into updating powertrain than you realize. You have to properly validate the entire new parts content taking into consideration the application. Datafiles have to be developed, software developed, durability testing, performance cell work, mapping tests. etc.

Toyota is likely investing most of their R&D into smaller displacement, direct injected, forced induction engines. It is the most bang for the buck in terms of power and fuel economy.

I plan on buying a 2012 and am happy to have a 4.0L that has all the issues worked out. Things are always changing to address concerns with parts you don't even know about. Cylinder head cracking in the valve bridges or slight tangential force changes on the oil control ring etc. are minor changes that you don't see but will in effect, give YOU the customer a better product.

I worked as an engineer for Ford and now work as an powertrain development engineer for another major automotive manufacturer and will now get off my soap box.

 

So you now work for another major automotive manufacturer (other than Toyota) and are going to buy a 2012 Tacoma. How is that going to go over?

Also what really needs to be proved out with the dual VVT-i 4.0L? It's already been in production for over two years now. It's mated to the same platform. The Tacoma, 4Runner and FJ-Cruiser all share variations of the same platform according to Toyota. It would be mated to the same transmission as 4Runner, FJ-Cruiser & Tundra. Sounds like a very simple implementation to me.

 

Here is Toyotas replied to me when asked about the Dual VVTI

"Toyota USA Hi Danny: As always we appreciate receiving suggestions/feedback from our followers related to our products. Be assured that your comments, and all suggestion comments, whether we are able to reply directly or not, are forwarded on to the appropriate individuals. In this case, Product Planning and Design/Engineering. Thanks Much! ^GT"

 

I will say that for all the crap I give Toyota regarding not being progressive in updating the Tacoma at least they haven't given up on the compact/midsize truck market.

Ford is going to end production of the Ranger in December of this year and Dodge apparently ended production of the Dakota yesterday.

http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2011/08/report-dodge-dakota-production-set-to-end-this-month.html

So yes I should at least be happy we still have a great midsize truck offering from Toyota.

 

idk...looks too odd.

http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2011/08/first-images-of-2012-toyota-tacoma-leaked.html

guess it wont matter after an aftermarket bumper and statoshi

 

Sport with color keyed options

 

Hey guys, found the first photos of the 2012 model... Don't care much for the outside. Lets see what kind of change they will have in the interior and engine, if any...
Cheers!
http://www.autoevolution.com/news/2012-toyota-tacoma-leaked-38071.html

 

if that is for real it looks pretty sick i think.

 

Old News

 

:

 

its good to see they kept the shitty chrome bumper.

cant wait for that to start rusting out 3 months after being on the road.

 

Again........

 

Toyota's inspiration for the 2012 Taco?

 

I am thinking of Michael Bay's Transformers. It looks like an autobot face or something.

 

interesting looks like cat fish

 

Looks like a bad ass cat fish!!