Tacoma Live Q&A with Chief Engineer Mike Sweers

So I see a lot of the same questions about the new Tacoma being asked in many of the threads. Not complaining, just trying to help people out with this pre-recorded interview/web Q&A with Toyota chief engineer Mike Sweers. Much more detailed than the Detroit Auto Show unveil. If you have not seen it yet you may learn something you don't already know about the new Tacoma.



http://livestream.com/Toyota/TacomaChat

 

This should be pinned at the top of the board.

It won't help dial back the troll posts from the malcontents that don't own & won't own a Gen3 from posting, but it for sure seems like it would help the small % of newbies currently showing up to the Gen 3 forum to learn some things straight from the horse's mouth.

 

Haha totally.

 

Just watched it. A lot of good info in there. A lot of changes not talked about here that show IMO it is a true Gen 3 and not Gen 2.5 that some want you to believe.

 

A lot of people will still argue that since it looks similar to the 2nd generation that is a gen 2.5. Or lipstick on a pig.
I would rather have Toyota make the changes that they did then drastically change the styling to appease those people who think nothing has changed.

 

Two new Knee Airbags added as well

What I also like is how they focused on a quieter interior with more insulation and dampening.

 

Thats up for debate, people in person have noticed same suspension parts, same leaf springs, same steering wheel, same alot of things, same cab design, same composite bed, same frame but improved. Again it is a redesign improving on the 2nd gen, but its not a true redesign like the 1st to 2nd gen was. And if you believe that stupid quote that Mr. Swears made "only a seat belt bracket" that everyone keeps using. I have beachfront property in Arizona I'd like to sell you, clearly as others have pointed out that statement is a bit of an exaggeration. Again lots of good things with this update and improvements, but to say its a true new generation, thats up for debate.

 

We're on year 18 of the Ford Super Duty. While the basic bones are the same, the 2015 Super Duty is not much like the 1998 Super Duty. Sometimes a clean sheet redesign is not necessary. Just wish they had done more to the cab to make it look like the rest of the truck.

 

"...we offer new engineS. "

 

Still haven't heard if they changed the front diff so it wont vibrate.

 

Definitely not a clean sheet redesign, but the Ford Super Duty hasn't had a clean sheet redesign since 1998. Sweers is definitely a bit misleading with his comments but I am not all that upset this isn't a 100% brand new truck. Makes a lot of sense to do it this way.

 

This article posted about the 2016 Tacoma showing up at the Lone Star Jamboree. Sweers shares more info.

http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2015/05/up-close-tacoma-chief-engineer-goes-deep.html

 

Why would someone want a 100% redesign for the 2016 when the Gen 2 was such a great truck. My guess is the same people(who by the way just bought a Gen 2) who are complaining about the Gen 3 for not being a complete redesign would be the same people saying " why the hell would you make a 100% change in the 2016 when the Gen 2 was so good already. If it ain,t broke arguement.Just saying.

 

I don't have a problem with it not being a full redesign. Just wonder why Sweers has to fib about it.

 

well said but some just love to bitch. When you're happy with your current truck
and have no intention of purchasing the 3rd Gen., it always strikes me as odd when
those same ppl stalk these threads for almost no other reason but to bitch and complain
about something they have no interest in.

 

Its about misleading statements from Toyota, if you did not do 100% redesign than say so, don't go "Maybe only a buckle" Especially most people on this forum do work on their trucks so they can recognize parts pretty easily. Statements like the one from Toyota Chief Eng are simply offending. He must think Tacoma buyers are all stupid.
Than comes what did Toyota change, if you look at what Toyota changed its actually what they should have left. And things they left are the things that should have changed.
Crappy leaf springs and weak suspension is still there, which means payload is going to suck again, Towing capacity was "bumped" to 6800 lb just because they shaved some weight. That still puts this truck behind others in Midsize group.
Front grill that will need to be chopped for plate bumpers is the most stupid idea if you building vehicle for "off road crowd"
Paint on the frame still crappy.
Not to mention frame is still a freaking origami. So expect another decade rusting trucks in Toyota fleet.
Since they have 6800lb Towing rating even with 4.30 gears that new 3.5 has to be the shittest engine ever produced.
You put 4.30 gears after current 4.0L you going to be able to tow 10 000 lb with 2gen and pass the J test.
Simply put Toyota failed.
There is not much they can say they have better than even GM twins, Lets hope at least they have better mileage.
Next year competition will heat up because Honda is bringing Ridge line back.
Now why look when you don't like it, because on the end its still Tacoma.

 

Interesting BlueT. Your opinions are noted. If you have not driven the vehicle and have not looked at one up close, it is all speculation on your part.

That said. funny how Tacoma has been the best selling small/midsize pickup despite its issues. Lets see what the sales do in 2016 and 2017.

I for one am looking forward to seeing the 2016. I like some of the changes. Most likely will buy in late 2016 or early 2017

 

I looked at one up close on NY Auto Show, and I was absolutely not impressed. In person its even worse than on pictures. Now with numbers slowly leaking its becoming even worse deal than ever. (6800lb towing capacity wtf they were thinking)
Toyota was best selling midsize because everybody else had worse trucks and a lot of gen1 Tacoma owners got check from Toyota and a discount when their gen1 Tacoma trucks got crushed.
Kind of great timing.

 

It's also interesting that alot of people in the 3rd gen section swear to god its an all new truck but then say things like "why wouldnt toyota just build off the 2nd gen". Or they admit its got an ugly grill but they will make it fantastic with an aftermarket bumper, a) they arent even developed yet b) most bumpers are 1-3k. There's alot of blind toyota fanboy love for the 3rd gen as well. Before you bash on the 2nd gen haters in here, most of the 3rd gen lovers I noticed are new members. Some of us including BlueT have been here a long time and comment on everything in this forum, things that interest us etc. A hot topic right now is what many feel a let down with this new generation. I too have seen it up close at the auto show, there's others and pics that confirm the suspension components are the same, the bed is the same, etc. Then you have the chief engineer make statements that dont line up with that, again, what BlueT was saying. There are some nice things too about the truck, the interior features they finally gave us (minus power seats), etc. You also have to realize most everyone here buys more than one of these trucks at some point, and I think alot of the 2nd gen guys are a bit upset because we wanted the 3rd gen to be something we all wanted to eventually move into and thats not the case. For the 3rd gen lovers, Im glad you love the truck and are happy with it, we all have our right to opinion, different likes, dislikes, but also dont be totally blind to alot of the stuff others have pointed out and just say everyone is hating, again alot of you are newbies based on your member numbers. And the argument that toyota outsells these trucks is silly, you have to account for the fact that the GM twins left for awhile or intially were garbage, the frontier hasnt been touched in forever and is archaic, with the introduction of the new GM twins, a diesel option frontier, new ridgeline and unhappiness of current base with new gen dont be surprised if the sales numbers move directions, of course toyota will outsell the others, because most people blindly buy Toyota for the QDR even if its ugly, missing features, etc.