New Tundra Release

[dnorrell]

I speak with zero authority on the diesel issue, but when buying my Tacoma last week was told that Toyota, Honda, and Nissan are not allowed to import diesels by the government. I have heard that is due to some sort of regulation between the government and US auto manufacturers.

I hope that isn't true, as it makes me very sad. Something to think about.

 

[SouthPawXJ]

Can anyone tell me why Toyota doesn't have diesel option? It seems to me that being the only light-duty with a deisel option would set the Tundra apart, especially if it had typically Toyota high MPGs.

I don't know of any Toyota diesels that currently meet emission requirements in the US.

Ram will most likely be the first one with a Light-Duty diesel option. http://www.allpar.com/news/index.php/2012/10/ram-1500-diesel-vm-v6-coming

The emission regulations between Europe and the US are converging for diesels... There's a chance that, at some point, we'll be able to get many of the diesel options currently available overseas. However, I'm not sure what they would use in the Tundra. Maybe this? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toyota_VD_engine Then again, I don't see anywhere where it is EU or US Emissions compliant. They could use the 3.0L D-4D, which is EU compliant, but that might be underpowered in the Tundra.

 

[SouthPawXJ]

I speak with zero authority on the diesel issue, but when buying my Tacoma last week was told that Toyota, Honda, and Nissan are not allowed to import diesels by the government. I have heard that is due to some sort of regulation between the government and US auto manufacturers.

I hope that isn't true, as it makes me very sad. Something to think about.

dnorrell, were you told that by a sales person and/or a sales manager? The people who work at the dealership typically have no idea what they are talking about.

 

[dnorrell]

dnorrell, were you told that by a sales person and/or a sales manager? The people who work at the dealership typically have no idea what they are talking about.

Hence my disclaimer; read those words with the weight of a grain of salt. That said, there's a sizable market for diesels in the US, so it seems the costs of meeting our regulations could be addressed with a reasonable profit margin. There has to be something else keeping the major Asian auto manufacturers from producing US-compliant diesels than simply, "I dunno, there might be more work to tweak this engine to meet US emission requirements...let's shelve this for now." Who knows, maybe it isn't a cost-effective decision since our prices for petrol are relatively low compared to other major markets. I remember when diesel was cheaper than gas - and isn't diesel simpler to produce? There's hint of regulation there...

I'll keep my 4banger for a while yet, but we are planning to buy a Ford diesel when we make the move to living in an Airstream full time. That is, unless something changes.

 

[Derek24]

Looks ok, people will get use to the new look. All this talk about the styling sounds just like back in 2006 when the current Tundras were reviled, "oh my, what is Toyota thinking!" Better MPG's? The difference between every new truck out there is a mile or two difference per gallon, if people think that's such a big difference and hit to the wallet, then those people can't afford driving a truck, or worse buying a new one.

 

[SouthPawXJ]

Hence my disclaimer; read those words with the weight of a grain of salt. That said, there's a sizable market for diesels in the US, so it seems the costs of meeting our regulations could be addressed with a reasonable profit margin. There has to be something else keeping the major Asian auto manufacturers from producing US-compliant diesels than simply, "I dunno, there might be more work to tweak this engine to meet US emission requirements...let's shelve this for now." Who knows, maybe it isn't a cost-effective decision since our prices for petrol are relatively low compared to other major markets. I remember when diesel was cheaper than gas - and isn't diesel simpler to produce? There's hint of regulation there...

I'll keep my 4banger for a while yet, but we are planning to buy a Ford diesel when we make the move to living in an Airstream full time. That is, unless something changes.

No, I hear ya on taking it with a grain of salt. I hate to be the one to say this, but the diesel market is not enough to start developing engines for the US for Toyota (yet). An engine redesign and certification is quite expensive. This gets factored into the cost of building such a vehicle. You also have to factor in shipping costs to get these engines here since they are built overseas. Now, consider the fact that most people who buy a Tundra are not Overlanders, but people who just want a truck for a daily driver. The extra cost for the diesel option (possibly around $5000) would turn those buyers off to the vehicle. The payback period on a diesel engine is astronomically high, so it does not make sense for people who are looking to save money. You would probably see between 5-10% of the Tundras sold with a diesel option (Chevy says 10% on the Cruze, Jeep says 15% on the Grand Cherokee (optimistic, IMO)). So, if they sold 100,000 Tundras, 5,000-10,000 would be diesels. Now, is it worth it to Toyota to do all of that work for such a small market? They apparently don't think so.

Mazda is bringing a diesel to the 6 in the US by the end of this year/early next year. A 4-cyl diesel option will be in the new Ram Promaster Vans this year as well. Perceptions are changing, but it will be slow. Hopefully Chrysler, GM, and Mazda are successful in selling these. Their success will entice others to bring their diesels here.

I hate that diesel is more expensive here, even though it is less refined. I've never understood that.

 

[Clutch]

The Hino range gets a hybrid diesel....

http://www.hino.com/trucks/story_1036.php

 

[plainjaneFJC]

They were probably referring to the chicken tax, which is a large tariff on imported light duty trucks. That is why the tundra/tacoma are made in america. I don't think it has anything to do with diesel engines though.

Hence my disclaimer; read those words with the weight of a grain of salt. That said, there's a sizable market for diesels in the US, so it seems the costs of meeting our regulations could be addressed with a reasonable profit margin. There has to be something else keeping the major Asian auto manufacturers from producing US-compliant diesels than simply, "I dunno, there might be more work to tweak this engine to meet US emission requirements...let's shelve this for now." Who knows, maybe it isn't a cost-effective decision since our prices for petrol are relatively low compared to other major markets. I remember when diesel was cheaper than gas - and isn't diesel simpler to produce? There's hint of regulation there...

I'll keep my 4banger for a while yet, but we are planning to buy a Ford diesel when we make the move to living in an Airstream full time. That is, unless something changes.

 

[Redline]

No sir, I don't like it

Agreed.

While I'm admittedly middle-age, prefer conservative/traditional styling, and resistant to change, there are some appearances here I don't care for, nor have a I liked for years.

-The larger grill looks similar to the fat nose treatment of late-model Ford Super Dutys and Dodges (probably intentionally) which I've always thought were overdone. When Dodge came out with the new, 1994 trucks with styling cues from semi trucks and old Studebakers, I was impressed and briefly owned a 1995...but they went downhill after that.

-Bulging, more angular front and rear fenders are not as attractive to my eye, again, looks like a 5th Gen. 4Runner. This is Toyota's new fleet style.

-More simple and traditional interiors are my preference. The center stack shape is not appealing, and the HVAC vents are lacking a handle to direct the vents or a slider to positively close them. Why is putting one's fingers into a vent considered a good design? Cheaper? The double 'glove box' is gone, not a big deal to me, I've yet to fill them both in addition to the cavernous center console.

When shopping for a new truck in 2011 it was between the Tundra and F150 EcoBoost, and if shopping today I'd probably still be choosing between the same two trucks. I didn't decide based on appearance then, and likely would not now, but liking the overall truck and appearance does matter. Then I thought the Tundra had the more attractive body (though I think the crew cab rear doors are too long; I have one), but I'm not sure the current F150 is not better looking overall.

Positives?

New instrument cluster looks good, though I still like the simple round gauge pods on my '11 Tundra and '06 4Runner.

While not wild about the changes I agree we will get accustomed to the new appearance, that's the case with the 5th Gen. 4Runner...I've come to accept it as the new normal for Toyota design, but I still don't like it. [A ShrocksWorks front bumper does wonders for the appearance of the front of the new 5th Gen. 4Runner.]

The good news for aftermarket suppliers is that without radical mechanical changes, most parts will work on the refreshed Tundra. Bumper makers will have to make some adjustments.

 

[p nut]

Wah wah wah wahhhhhhhhhhhhh

 

[JasonJLamb]

It seems to me that with all of Toyota's experience with diesels, they could come up with a moderately priced alternative power plants that get good MPGs and meet emissions requirements. There are other manufacturers without Toyota's resources doing it, so why can't a company bigger and more powerful do it.

I understand the economics argument, but if they did it, keeping in mind that others are surely to do it, and with a long-term goal of making diesels viable for more buyers at lower costs, those big initial investments will pay even bigger rewards--for manufacturers as well as for retail and fleet customers, and the environment.

 

[Clutch]

Agreed.

(snipped for efficiency)

Can't say I am shocked...with the "new" Tundra, is kinda what I expected.

The cod piece grills are getting really old...and yet they just keep on getting bigger and bigger, and bigger....soon the front end is going to be all grill.

What is that all about anyway, are manufactures feeling inadequate? Is their target market, men that take viagra by the handfuls?

The dash is looking like they stole it from Ford.

No cod piece grills on the 70's...apparently that styling won't work for Emerica.

 

[washington taco]

BIG YAWN!!!! It don't look good for the next gen Taco.

 

[Clutch]

BIG YAWN!!!! It don't look good for the next gen Taco.

I was hoping they were going to surprise us with new Tacoma...kinda how Ford slid the Atlas in right at the last minute.

But alas...

 

[washington taco]

indifference [ɪnˈdɪfrəns -fərəns]
n
1. the fact or state of being indifferent; lack of care or concern
2. lack of quality; mediocrity
3. lack of importance; insignificance
4. (Philosophy) See principle of indifference

Plus: The interior is nicer looking.
Minus: No drive train changes, no new engine choices, no upgraded payload and no mention of an E locker.

Just as well by the 2013 at the end of August early September for a close out smokin deal price. Toyota will see a bump in sales for a year or two then will drop back to the current sales.