2012 TACOMA MEGA-THREAD

I find it EXTREMELY hard to believe that a 4750 pound 4x4 Toyota 4runner with the Dual VVT-i V6 can get better MPG's than the 4160 pound 4x4 Toyota Tacoma Double Cab Long Box with the single VVT-i V6. That's roughly 600 pounds we are talking about here. Can the Dual VVT-i V6 be THAT good as to not only overcome this weight to get better MPG's this way with more power?

I can't for the life of me understand Toyota's rationale for keeping their powertrain stale for one more year in the Tacoma. However, surely the US market could accept the current generation for one more year if it meant a full redesign for 2013 with the Dual VVT-i V6. That in my mind would be money better/well spent in R & D than slight tweaks here and there - a new grill here, minor update there, etc.

Having said the above, I also can not understand this power to MSRP ratio that has been cited numerous times as something one of the Japanese big wigs has said as to why the Tacoma is stuck with the single VVT-i V6 for one more, probably 2 more years. We're talking about technology here. If this is true, as of 2012, the Toyota Tacoma will have the oldest engine technology in the entire line up. Even the Yaris is getting an upgraded power train for 2012 with it's redesign which I presume means a Dual VVT-i engine. The Tacoma will be the only vehicle in the entire Toyota line up with single VVT-i for both it's available engines - every other vehicle will have Dual VVT-i technology whether it be 4, 6 or 8 cylinders. In fact the Camry is going into it's SECOND redesign with Dual VVT-i engines for 2012! REDICULOUS! The tacoma is still pushing forward with a power plant that debuted in 2003! WOOHOO - but that's moving forward right?

 

^yes the new engine gives the 4runner that much more performance. I get to drive one all the time. That engine paired with a six speed auto would sell like hot cakes and dominate.

 

Yeah that^^^^

 

Think about the 1st gen. It had a facelift of bumpers, hood, taillights, at the end of the run. Then the 2nd gen comes out. Toyota has done it before and they will do it again.

 

Damn still no spy shots? Wtf.

 

A little off topic here, but do you know what engine oil your friends 4Runner uses? Did Toyota switch to 0W-20 in the Dual VVT-i 4.0?

 

It's easy to understand why they'd do such a thing. By splitting the exterior/interior redesign (or refresh since it's not a complete redesign in 2012) and the powertrains into 2 years they essentially to two "new vehicles releases" in one. This year the "new" Taco will get all the press for it's new look. Then next year they come out with powertrain updates and get all the press all over again on what is then a 2nd year design. Two for the price of one! And as has been noted already... they've done it before exactly like that... don't be surprised when they do it again.

 

Yep... case in point... the 2010 Mustang. Refreshed look but still with only the 4.6L V8 (actually it did get a slight bump in HP up from 300 to 315, but nothing earth shattering). Then the very next year in 2011 the new 5.0L Coyote comes out at 400+ HP. How pissed would you be if you were a Mustang fan and you bought a 2010! You know you'd be back in 2012/13 for the new 5.0!!! And so does Ford!!!

 

In my opinion 34hp and a few more mpg isn't worth waiting another year. I understand the principle of the situation and it pisses me off too, but we won't really know until september right? Also, if power is such a big need, a TRD supercharger is available for the current 4.0 and not the 4Runner 4.0.

 

Yes they did, synthetic only. The engine also takes 7qts to fill it up. And the oil filter is on the bottom now and its a canister type filter.

 

The real shame is that with this non redesign I bet you'll still need the harsh ride tsb and the transmission tsb.

 

That sucks, the filter on top made changes quick and simple.

 

Yeah. And its apparently its a pain to get to due to the skid plate. I haven't changed the oil on her 4runner yet because she got them free but next time I think I will have to

 

The wifes '05 4Runner gets 22 MPG AVG, not a surprise that an updated engine can do better with more power

It's possible that TOYO had extra engines/drivetrains and decided to use them in the '12 Taco.

 

It usually takes a few years to get a trd supercharger for any model. Is expect a sc for the runner in a year or two.

 

That shouldn't be an excuse for them. Toyota pioneered lean manufacturing which means they should have very little inventory and any given time. This was proven by disaster in Japan. They didn't have enough parts on hand, already complete to produce new products. Therefore they had to temporarily close plants and/or reduce production.

 

I said "possible". BTW it was Dell that pioneered JIT or what you call "lean manuf"

 

Dell pioneering Lean Mfg? Let's not get crazy......most would argue Toyota as it was derived from their TPS.

Sev

 

??? Toyota was pioneering Just-In-Time (JIT) manufacturing (another term for "lean manufacturing") before Dell even existed.