Tacoma Hybrid

For the price toyota would be asking for a hybrid taco, you could buy a conventional taco AND a yaris for bombing around town and commuting. I don't doubt it'll happen someday, but I know we'll all have a little groan at the likely 45-48k price tag.

 

Where would they place the batteries? They could take 4 inches from the bed depth and stuff a ton of wattage down there

 

The price argument is bogus , if they offered a hybrid alongside the gas versions and you didn't want to pay the extra for the hybrid , don't buy one

 

Traditionalists will obviously scoff at a hybrid truck, however hybrid power plants are becoming a more practical performance source. The top Porsche, McClaren (doubt I have the correct spelling), and Ferrari sports cars are all plug-in hybrids with 900+ horsepower (all torque specs above 500). Even the Acura NSX and Toyota FT-1 concepts are hybrid.

The philosophy behind the next generation of hybrid vehicles is not just about MPG numbers, it's about filling the gap between gasoline engine performance limitations.

I'm definitely in support of a Hybrid Tacoma.

 

F1 cars and most LMP cars are hybrids too

 

Those Hybrids were a half assed GM effort. So was the Malibu Hybrid.

 

Haha yeah I remember the Malibu "power assist" hybrid. Gave it like only 3 mpg boost. The Silverados did flop, their city MPG was impressive (20 mpg) but highway was also 20 mpg

 

I think there will one day be a hybrid tacoma, but I think it will be the replacment for the 5 lug and built on a unibody design based around the camry. No one would want a trd off road 4x4 dcsb hybrid, but fleet buyers would jump at a stripped down delivery/work truck that would return 30+ mpg all day. Think transit connect with a bed, or the nissan nv what ever as an access cab with a flat bed option. Would probably be front wheel drive with optional awd.

 

Hybrid

http://youtu.be/RAqxJkwKMRA

 

Hybrid is coming in all makes and models. No way to avoid it. Formula 1 has been using it for the past year but reliability has been an issue. McLaren and Porsche have turned out two pretty impressive supercars with hybrid technology but longevity of the performance with the two systems has yet to be seen. I would be all for it if they design them to perform at a better level than just a 4.0 V6 alone especially if they design a KERS system to recharge the batteries.

 

The Prius is pretty close to that. It's the only way the batteries charge unless you have a plug in model

 

This is season 2 for the 800hp 1.6L V6 turbo hybrid power units in F1

 

While Toyota seems to have abandoned F1 they are starting to have some success with their hybrid LMP. Eventually this technology will make its way into our daily drivers (beyond the Prius), including trucks.

http://www.toyotahybridracing.com/season/

 

I would buy a hybrid tacoma over a diesel tacoma with my eyes closed.

 

I think you may have just started something.

 

Diesel hybrid.

 

Somebody say diesel hybrid ?

http://youtu.be/CKIc1BcWDlM

 

Now just imagine that with a lift kit and some offroad wheels and tires.

 

Maybe with the new V6 in F1 Toyota will make a return. I know RedBull might be looking for a new engine builder soon.

 

Renault will buy Lotus and become a works team again , Red Bull will run Mercedes power units starting in 2017 , Toyota won't re-enter F1 any time soon

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