Talk of Tacoma powertrain upgrade from head guy at Toyota US...

Ford is going to introduce a hybrid f150 in 2020 or 2021, so I imagine Toyota will follow suite

 

I just don't see how this is true. Prius gets worse MPG than a similar diesel (take the VW Polo 1.4 TDI, which we don't get but goes nearly 65 MPG) and the long term cost is higher.

I'm in the minority of I guess a minority, I don't want more power, I want a truck that gets 450 miles from a tank on the highway or idling in 4WD. A Hilux diesel gets around 25 MPG, that's what I'd buy in a second, a diesel Tacoma. A hybrid doesn't interest me, I'd just keep what I have in that case.

 

Diesel Tacoma Access Cab with more payload, towing capacity and a manual transmission would be amazing. Would keep the new Ranger in its place where it belongs.

 

Real innovation may come when the competition starts eating into Tacoma sales. Toyota has owned this market for too long.

 

I'd buy that. I'm awaiting the Ranger to see if Ford offers this configuration. I'd go either way on TRD packages. The problem with the Colorado is to get a diesel you have to get the highest spec, which makes it a $40K truck. I don't necessarily need poverty spec but a couple of thousand diesel option on a SR5 (or is it XLT with Ford?) would be cool.

 

I have 3 friends with 2016 4runners. We talk fuel economy often. Given their fuel economy compared to mine, I'd guess toyota will invest more money to lowering 4Runner fuel consumption way before messing with the Tacoma. Lol

 

It's going to be a hybrid.

This isn't revolutionary information, this is just where the industry is heading with clean air regulations and goals increasing every year. And Toyota isn't the only company to be looking at hybrid trucks.

If the general market is fine with the performance of the 3.5L, they will be more than fine with a hybrid.

 

Those we're nice engines but no longer produced. The replacement for the 4.7L/5AT is the 4.6L/6AT, it's been available in the Tundra and GX460 for years now. Perfect drivetrain for the Tacoma and 4runner.

 

This whole article points to a hybrid, and that's what it'll probably be. They're talking about meeting CAFE standards, not making more power.

 

heres the quad cab TRD model

 

Hadn't looked it up and saw your post. I have to agree that truck looks fugly.

 

I don't disagree with you. But north america, regardless of Trump is heading towards being clean.
I know Trump doesn't seem to care for the whole EPA and global warming thing but many states still do, as do people. And here in Canada its all they fucking care about which is why Ontario is in such shit shape. Cause all our government cares about is green energy things that cost more than they produce.

Although yes a diesel would get better range, its still polluting which they want none of. Personally I think its all bullshit because has anyone seen the process for mining lithium? Its one hell of a dirty process.

Even ignoring the governments its the new it thing to do, be eco friendly and reduce pollution. So all these soccer moms and hipster douche bags will want electric.

Its not even just North America in a way, look at countries like France saying by the year 2020 they want no more diesels. I think it was Switzerland as well that said they hope to have only electric cars by the year 2025.
Whether diesel is better than hybrid or not its not the it thing to do.

 

yep same thing I'm calling for.

Figure between Honda Pilot and all the other competition for the full size SUV market. Isn't GM and Ford already offering hybrid on their full size SUVs?
and Toyota and Honda both already do it on the CRV/Rav4.
Only a matter of time before those are put into the 4runner and pilot.

Although GM might head diesel as ford might as well. The domestics do not have a good reputation for reliability so people will continue to buy Toyota and Honda for reliability. And they'll continue going in the direction of hybrid.

Also figure with a lot of the hybrids they have the ability to drive all electric which many that live in cities love the idea of. Highway MPG might not be as great but for those who's commute is mostly city driving and stop and go highway traffic something that can run all electric in those conditions would be amazing.

 

I wouldn't mind having a hybrid truck if it helps w/ the torque off the line. The thing that kills these trucks is city driving stop and go stuff. Having the hybrid drive train will greatly help w/ that

 

yep. exactly what I was saying above.

imagine being able to drive 40km/h or less all electric. Figure in rush hour traffic you won't be going any faster in the cities. Fuck I'd be able to go three weeks between fill ups then.

 

Yep , people that go all Prius when hybrid gets mentioned are dumb

 

You cannot make a hybrid without significant price increases. At what point are people unwilling [or unable] to buy a vehicle that they want for their lifestyle choice? We are getting close to a price point that is pricing a significant amount of buyers out of the market right now. If it's a option, that is one thing, if it's something over the entire model spectrum, it's another.

 

What pray tell is the process for mining lithium