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

Trust me people, I have friends at GM, Ford, Volvo, they're great folks I tell you. Electric cars are going to be YUUUUUGGEEE! *pinched finger motion* Believe me folks, I know more about cars than chief engineers do. Electric cars are bigly here to stay. Gas is SAD!

 

When was this?

I believe that hybrid tech has improved in the past few years, especially with regard to battery tech. A plug-in hybrid Tacoma with Lithium batteries would probably do ok if they put a bit more aerodynamic body on it. I'm guessing it will be a model with a much larger electric component, since electric motors have a better torque curve.

The Bollinger prototype apparently managed 200 miles of range on 67 eMPG, on a truck that looks like it's about as aerodynamic as a parachute. It also has a tow rating of 6000 lbs, though no mention of range at that payload.

A couple studies I've read say that hybrid cars are still better for the environment even with more polluting manufacturing costs. I have no doubt that the platform can be tuned to provide something closer to what truck owners need. A lot of people that drive trucks drive 25k miles a year and could use the gas savings.

 

It is between 60-80 cents a gallon difference where I live unless you find a place that sells 91 octane then it is about 30. Most places jump from 89 to 93 octane and the difference is huge.

 

This, the Bollinger is a proof of concept that you can have an all electric 4x4 with gobs of torque

 

There's a chance mine wasn't broken in yet, but I was disappointed.

 

Literally a week ago.

 

Um, yes? I know all about hybrid tech, I'm just telling you that the RAV4 Hybrid disappointed in a proven 6 week test drive. Honest to god.

 

Huh. Maybe Toyota just sucks at making non Prius hybrids? I've heard less than good things about the Highlander hybrid too.

 

I believe you, but there's no chance in hell that Toyota would put that exact drivetrain in a Tacoma.
I can tell you exactly what they will do: Whatever it takes to sell a bunch of trucks! While some people here are disappointed in the Tacoma, overall, normal buyers love the truck, so much so that they are selling in record numbers.

 

I'd hardly call my wife a tree hugger. She has a Prius because she likes the way it looks and drives....and also the idea of 45 mpg. Plus the Prius is one of the most reliable vehicles on the road. There were no "save the planet" aspirations in her purchase.

 

I know a few people who are far from tree huggers buying them.

 

Toyota has run into production caps. They could sell more if they could produce more.

https://www.google.com/amp/amp.auto...toyota-drops-150-million-tijuana-tacoma-plant

 

Couldve stopped at prius sucks at hybrids. I work for volvo and have a lot full of vehicles that get better mpge than prius and they are all way heavier and awd. (Volvo cheats because plug in but still)

 

They've actually been testing fully autonomous semis for a little bit now.

That all said, this transition is more like 50 years out IMO. The sensors and systems are all still very much in a fledgling state compared to where they need to be for full auto. Even Tesla who is sort of unofficially leading that push is probably only about 40% of the way there. Lot of work left to do to make self-driving cars work securely and reliably, then lots of work to market it to people, then lots of work to make the technology affordable

 

Heres my question: What was wrong with the 4.0L from the 2nd gens?

I personally HATE this motor/gearing/drivetrain/witchcraft they have integrated into the 3rd gens AND I get absolutely HORRIBLE gas mileage, the truck always feels like its pulling a couch up a mountain as far as power delivery in concerned. Id be happy to have the 4.0L back, a 2.0t from the Lexus platform... hell even a diesel (which we all know wont happen).

As far as I'm concerned, I will be going diesel next round. Not happy with my 3rd Gen and I'm a die hard Toyota/ Lexus enthusiast. I hope someone who makes big decisions at Toyota R&D is watching this thread.

 

Y'all are talking about a hybrid Tacoma which is insane. Look at the market for this truck and ask if you really believe there'd be any demand for a hybrid.

There won't be.

 

Efficiency is what was wrong with it. My mom's 2WD 4Runner with the 4.0 gets maybe 1 or 2 mpg more than my dad's 4x4 hemi.

That 4.0 is a nice engine, but the way it sucks down fuel isn't.

 

Part of the electric car revolution is that they are much simpler to manufacture and maintain.

Big car companies have the necessary expertise to produce complex petrol burners, but that isn't necessary for electric vehicles.


DYSON'S BID TO BUILD AN ELECTRIC CAR JUST MIGHT WORK
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.wired.com/story/dyson-electric-car/amp

 

If I was a gambling man, I'd say it's going to be a response and a design similar to mazdas motor. The leap from atkinson to the hcci isn't too far.

http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/...skyactiv-x-engine-tech-in-layman-s-terms.html

 

Definitely agree with you there. I think we're a ways off from seeing electric motors in a pickup. Mainly due to the abuse that some trucks see on a weekly basis.