Is there a definitive answer on Gen 3 Tacoma yet?

Saw this article on Motor Trend....I hope its incorrect. I'm really hoping for a completely new Tacoma for 2016, not just a tweaked version of what we have now.

http://wot.motortrend.com/1408_2016_toyota_tacoma_mule_photographed_inside_and_out.html

 

This isn't the new truck its a test mule. They use the old body on a new truck so they don't show the new body to the public yet.

 

This is not generally the reason why automakers even do that, as if needed, significant camouflage or cloaking would be applied. Prototypes usually take much more time to build than test mules, so the mules usually come first. In this case the 2016 Tacoma, you're right though, as there's no way Toyota hasn't already constructed prototypes.

Toyota has privately shown the new truck in prototype form to some people, but are still hiding it via closed off testing on various private properties. When that secretive testing becomes public, is a mystery to me.

 

They think maybe Tacoma sales will cut into 4runner or Tundra sales????? Maybe they're correct, I don't know.

 

Apparently, the aerodynamic front end is "ugly" to many people. People want a big grill, an aggressive looking front end.

 

Every truck these days has an enormous grill, and has for a decade with GM and Ferd. The new GMs are about as aggressive looking as a glow in the dark dildo, and will fuck you just as much.

Aerodynamic, edgy Tacoma grill FTW

 

Sources are saying that the next tacoma will in fact be a tacoma, with an engine and wheels.

 

I call BS. Even techs don't have that information yet

 

They can't make the Tacoma in Japan (where the 4Runner's are made) and then ship them to the states due to the Chicken tax.

Added costs of the 4Runner frame/platform would be too expensive to use for Tacoma.

Can't bring 4RUnner to the San Antonio plant since it's already running at full capacity with Tundra and Tacoma.

I personally think the 4Runner has too much angry robot DNA and wouldn't want my Tacoma to look like that.

 

Thanks for making me spit my drink all over my keyboard........

 

Hahaha, sig worthy for sure

 

Some of you are not even thinking far out enough, in believing that the next Tacoma due in late 2015, is based on the current 4Runner. The 4Runner came out in 2009, so basing it on a long-in-the-tooth 6-year old SUV would be extremely regressive. Then a redesigned 2017 4Runner a year later, leaving a now antiquated 2016 Tacoma in the dust for another decade plus. Guess this will fall on deaf ears anyway.

Based on what? That's incorrect, but I do agree with your 4Runner-Tacoma Japanese assembly opinion though. The 2004-2015 Tacoma already shares/d a platform with the 4G 4Runner (2002-09) and 120 Land Cruiser (2002-2009). It skipped the current generations (150) of those two for lazy reasons on Toyota's part and should've moved to that by 2011-2012. The upcoming 180 Land Cruiser (2016-17) and 6G 4Runner (2016) should be related to the next 3G Tacoma.