Next Gen mule spy shots

Used to see test mules all the time down in Naples when the Ford test track was up and running for a bunch of manufacturers. The cars and trucks and motorcycles looked just about the same when they hit production. What makes you think, kryton, that the new truck will be different then this one we are all looking at?
All of central America, Brazil, Austrailia, the whole rest of the world gets solid axle front, turbo desile V-8's, factory snorkels, rear disk.

 

You are a idiot, it a mule its not a final product not even close

 

See above, I've seen these test mules go into production after seeing them in the flesh. Have you you idiot?

 

Done.

 

No no, I am not done... I want to see where this goes. Is there a real redesign or is there not?

 

Only Toyota knows.....

 

Its a current gen skin with either a new tranny or whole drivetrain testing. If you think Toyota is going to put a brand new chasis and drivetrain on the skin of a 2nd gen and go into production like that then your a idiot. Show me proof of a test mule exacty as tested going into production????

 

yes the 3rd gen Tacoma will be brand new thats why its a 3rd gen as in new generation as in new as in never seen before as in new car smell new, cant believe what Im reading and people thinking if Toyota will redesign the Tacoma of course they will.

 

This

 

I meant "Only the Mother Ship Toyota knows..." he...ah

 

I'm late to the 3rd gen speculation party and I am surprised how interested I have suddenly become. Anybody else want to speculate wildly about engines with me?

I think it's pretty obvious they aren't going to stick with the existing 2.7L and 4.0L, mostly because there's no way they can meet the stricter fuel economy standards and it seems like the market forces are leaning towards better MPG. And the engines themselves are old technology.

I wouldn't count on diesel mostly because of the emission requirements. I haven't been paying much attention to diesel technology so I only just yesterday learned about SCR and the need for diesel exhaust fluid. There seems to be a lot of blowback against DEF technology but maybe it's overblown. Apparently the tundra is getting a cummins diesel which is a frame better suited for the diesel market anyway. Perhaps with the colorado getting a 2.8L turbodiesel toyota may offer something similar.

I read some blog that said the lexus 2.0L turbo thats debuting in the nx-200t would be finding it's way into other toyota models. It seems to be an advanced engine having vvt-i-W which gives it the ability to run two different combustion cycles, one for power and one for efficiency. It's interesting technology but still seems like a stretch, I'm not sure if truck buyers would want to buy a tiny turbo engine. Although back in the day they had the 22RE-T so I guess that could count as precedent. Supposedly it produces 238hp and 268 tq from 1650rpm to 4000rpm. Sounds like witchcraft. Id buy one if it could average 25mpg+ without premium gas.

The existing improved dual-vvt-i 4.0L v6 i guess could be dumped into the tacoma but it seems like a really marginal improvement and won't help with fuel economy much.

My knowledge of other Toyota products is extremely limited. I saw mention of a 3.5L v6 thats in the highlander I think. What else is out there that we might see in the 3rd gen?

 

Some more gears and DI would be a good start.

 

A whole new engine would be my guess as it would possibly be used in the next 4Runner and Tundra. Most likely a 6 speed auto as well.

 

Get great has mileage if you have 9 gears and never let it get above idle. Imagine that downshift when you want to get into the power band. Did you just drop from 9th to 3rd gear? Sad isn't it?

 

Lol anyone else see that guys death threat about losing a spine?

Edit: got deleted. Damn idiot.

 

I did...He obviously got picked on in school

 

Someone reported it.

 

My theory is that Toyota will invest pennies in the new Tacoma, even though it's a crown jewel in their model lineup. I expect to be disappointed and I'll be surprised if I'm not. I'm a bit of a pessimist though. Most change is for the worse.

So many things could ruin Tacoma sales for years, if they're done wrong. Their best bet is to leave the body as is, upgrade the engine/transmission and just fix things that people are having trouble with. Blower fans, springs, frame rust, windshield noises, tin roof noise in the rain, uncomfortable seats, etc... Don't be surprised to see Facebook in the new stereo.

 

While not as drastic, the 9-spd in the new Cherokee will kick down 3 gears for acceleration. Shift times can be very long.

 

Earlier in the thread someone mentioned that the trucks don't get brand new engines. Not sure if that is empirically true, but it fits toyotas conservative reputation. Especially for the trucks which seem to be designed for reliability over fancy.

I am with you though on a brand new engine. I doubt anything in their current inventory can meet the new fuel economy standards, and I think that is what will drive a good portion of the new design, particularly the engine. An article I saw on car and driver that says in 2008 toyota trucks had a fleet average of 23.9mpg and for 2016 it is expected to hit 28. The standard is kind of complicated but I think it boils down to the most efficient version of the truck will have to hit 28mpg highway. I think that ratchets up by 2020 to closer to 30 mpg. Given that, I wouldn't be surprised if the 3rd gen 4x2 base model would be rated at 30mpg highway.

This press release from toyota talks about their focus on new technology efficient engines. Specifically in the presentation they talk about a 1.0L and a 1.3L which are for non-US cars. But technology they talk about is not engine specific. Seems like evidence to me of a new engine is coming.

As far as transmissions go, I have no idea. I'll probably end up geting whatever manual transmission is available because I guess I hate convenience.