The new Tacoma was officially unveiled at the January 2015
Detroit Auto Show with United States sales following in September 2015.
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The truck has a new exterior profile taking styling cues from the 2014 model year
4Runner SUV and the 2014 model year
Tundra
pickup and features a much more aggressive and macho look, with a
larger grill and new projector beam headlamps. The tailgate and bed were
redesigned and featured a debossed Tacoma logo as well as an infused
spoiler. New character lines were also observed on the truck as well as
an air dam in front of the vehicle – these new features will likely
assist in added fuel economy.
Under the hood Toyota offers a 2.7 Liter
I4
paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission or the existing 5-speed
manual and a 3.5-liter V6 which runs Toyota's D-4S system switching from
port to
direct injection based on driving conditions and runs on the
Atkinson cycle using
VVT-iW
variable valve timing.
The 3.5-liter V6 delivers 278 hp and 265 lb-ft of torque. This engine
is offered in both a 6-speed automatic and manual transmissions.
EPA-estimated city/highway/combined mpg for the 4x2 automatic is
19/24/21 and 18/23/20 for the 4x4 automatic. Based on the
SAE J2807 tow guidelines the Tacoma can tow up to 6,800 lb (3,100 kg) with the added tow package.
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In addition to this, Toyota updated the truck's frame by adding more
high strength steel in order to increase the truck's rigidness and to
drop weight. The body is also constructed using ultra-high strength
steel that will be integrated using a new hot stamping process that
reduces weight. Toyota also updated the suspensions, rear differentials
and rear axle to improve the truck's road manners while still keeping it
off-road capable. The truck is available in 5 distinct trims, these are
the base SR, mid-level SR5, TRD Off Road, TRD Sport and range topping
Limited. The truck is offered in Access Cab and Double Cab
configurations with the long or short bed sizes. The Regular Cab model
was not carried over for the new generation pickup. The interior of the
pickup gets a complete overhaul as well, using a handle-bar theme Toyota
made the interior of the Tacoma more luxurious and added a bigger and
better touchscreen display as well as an all new instrument panel.
Soft-touch materials also replaced the previous generations hard
plastics and added a leather option.
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Toyota has also used an acoustic windshield as well as better insulated
doors and added more weather stripping to reduce cab and wind noise and
make the Tacoma more refined and for the first time in any Tacoma,
Toyota will offer dual climate control.
The TRD Off Road trim models features an all new terrain select mode
which allows the driver to choose between different types of terrain
such as loose rock, or mud and sand. Toyota also announced a new CRAWL
mode that will allow the driver to steer the truck in tough terrain
while the truck manages braking and acceleration by itself. In addition
to this the truck will also feature a moon-roof, key-less remote entry,
Qi Wireless phone charging capability, easy lower tailgate, blind spot
monitoring system, backup camera (standard) and a mounted
GoPro holder (standard).
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Toyota also introduced a TRD Pro version in late 2016 which comes
with FOX-patented Internal Bypass shocks and a few trim changes.
The Tacoma's transition to its third generation took place while the
segment is growing. In 2014, the San Antonio plant built 105,796 Tacomas
and the Baja plant built 71,399 for a total of 177,195. in 2015, the
San Antonio plant built 110,911 and Baja built 82,328 for a total of
193,239 built.
[34] In 2016, 191,673 Tacomas were sold in the US and Canada (along with 115,489 Tundras also built in San Antonio)
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and, with the mid size segment up overall, the San Antonio plant was
running costlier extra Saturday shifts to keep up with demand, running
at 125% of projected plant capacity. The 2016 and 2017 model year double
cab-short bed Tacomas are currently made in Tijuana (
VINs starting in 3) and all other Tacoma configurations are made in San Antonio (
VINs
starting in 5). Toyota USA announced that they will increase production
at the Tijuana plant in 2018 from about 100,000 to 160,000 Tacomas.
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