Detroit 2015: Toyota Debuting Next-Gen Tacoma In January

Cameron Aubernon
by Cameron Aubernon

The next-generation Toyota Tacoma will roll down the ramp this January at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show.

Autoblog reports the announcement came from Toyota senior vice president of operations, Bob Carter, who didn’t offer much else. The new truck is expected to be a significant upgrade than the current model, last refreshed in 2012, and will be coming into a market that now includes the Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon twins, both of whom have done well for themselves since debuting in showrooms this autumn.

Carter also announced that Lexus would unveil two performance vehicles, but again, proclaimed nothing more than the promise that all in attendance would enjoy seeing them.

Cameron Aubernon
Cameron Aubernon

Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.

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  • APaGttH APaGttH on Dec 05, 2014

    Toyota cannot continue to use the "upgrade" playbook they've been using. The current engine offerings are completely uncompetitive in the power, refinement, and fuel economy space, and the 5-speed auto they're using (4-speed in the now-defunct base model regular cab Tacoma) is also woefully outdated. If the Yaris, Corolla, RAV-4, and Camry refreshes are any indication - and when one looks at news stories of what Toyota has been developing, the picture isn't exactly rosy. Oh it will sell regardless of whether the gas gulping 4.0 V6 and 5-speed auto soldier on or not. Eventually, this lack of investment in newer technology will catch up with them. There is no reason to think Toyota is immune to the patterns and fortunes of other makers.

  • Occam Occam on Dec 05, 2014

    I'm not a trucky guy by any means, but if I could get a Taco with a miserly 4-banger and a manual, and have it ride at a normal height instead of this faux-by-four trend that has taken over the pickup world, I might be tempted.

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    • Corey Lewis Corey Lewis on Dec 08, 2014

      @slance66 [Referring to RX350] "Nav. 90% of them are sold without Nav" No. Just no.

  • Big Al from Oz Big Al from Oz on Dec 05, 2014

    I wonder if the divergence of the Hilux/Tacoma will be removed. The Tacoma chassis was a Surf chassis, a lighter chassis than the Hilux. I'd bet that the next Tacoma will be heavily based on the Hilux. Logic displays this, both vehicles appear to be release at roughly the same time. What does interest me is the engine selection for the next generation Hilux/Tacoma. BMW has been in a transfer of technology deal with Toyota. BMW received Toyota's EV and hybrid tech in exchange for BMW diesel tech. Toyota is famous for charging a premium for nothing substantial, the Toyota Tax. I wonder if the next Hilux/Tacoma will be the same? I do envisage an relatively renewed interest in the US midsize pickup market. You guys are finally receiving the much more refined and capable global midsizers we've had now since late 2010. It's better late than never. http://www.motoring.com.au/news/2014/commercial/toyota/hilux/spy-pics-2015-toyota-hilux-46251

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    • Big Al from Oz Big Al from Oz on Dec 06, 2014

      @Speedygreg7 Structurally the FJ Cruiser incorporates a body on frame truck style design based on the Prado platform. The FJ Cruiser uses a high-mounted, double wishbone front suspension and stabilizer bar, and a 4-link rear suspension with lateral rod with coil springs and stabilizer bar.[4] The 120-series Land Cruiser Prado, Tacoma, 4Runner, and Hilux share the same suspension parts as the FJ Cruiser. The FJ Cruiser uses power-assisted 4-piston front/2-piston rear ventilated disc brakes with Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA) and is also equipped with Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and a specialized traction control system known as (A-TRAC).[22] The A-TRAC (active traction control) system applies braking to control wheels that have lost traction mimicking the performance of a locking differential without the "binding" that can make steering difficult in normal locking differential setups.[23] Toyota has made revisions to the engine bay inner fender aprons due to some bulging and cracking issues with 2007 and some early 2008 models. The bulges and cracks in the inner fenders were attributed to a Toyota design flaw through certain Vehicle Identification Numbers. Toyota has addressed the problem and has changed the design.[24] The 70 / 75 series Toyota Land Cruiser took over from the 40 / 45 series of workhorse four-wheel drives in 1984. The styling maintained a family resemblance to the 40 / 45 series but became more angular. The 70 / 71 series was the short-wheelbase (SWB), the 73 / 74 was the medium-wheelbase (MWB) and the 75 / 77 was the long-wheelbase (LWB). The latter came as cab-chassis/utility with a "panelled" tray (pick-up), and "troop carrier" hard-top (HT). Toyota also manufactured lighter duty versions that shared the 70 Series designation from 1985 to 1996, and were marketed in various parts of the world as the Bundera, the Prado, or the Land Cruiser II. Of these, the Prado name stuck, and each modification took it further from its 70 Series roots. Starting in 1997 the Prado was known as the 90 Series, and had become a light-duty passenger 4x4 with no relation to the 70 Series.

  • Mandalorian Mandalorian on Dec 06, 2014

    I think we've sort of Moved up a size with regards to trucks in the US. 1500 is the new midsize, 2500 is the new 1500 and so on.

    • RobertRyan RobertRyan on Dec 06, 2014

      Same thing elsewhere. Pickups are getting larger , the tiny Subaru based things have virtually disappeared

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